Isa 30:16 | KingComments | STEP | Then they hear from the mouth of “the Holy One of Israel”, Whom they wanted to keep far away from them, the judgment on all their rebellion, on their wicked will to live without Him ( ). They reject “this word”, that is, the instruction of the LORD. At the same time they rely on “oppression and guile”, i.e. the way in which they try to secure the friendship of Egypt. With this way of acting, they work their own downfall. This is how it was before that time, when they put their trust in Assyria, and this is how it will be in the future, when they will put their trust in the restored Roman Empire, Europe ( ). They believe they have the protection of a wall, but the wall is about to fall and they will be buried under its fall ( ). The collapse will not only come “suddenly in an instant”, but will be also total. Israel will so ruthlessly be shattered like pottery that not even a sherd will remain for its most mundane use ( ). The terrorist attack on the ‘Twin Towers’ in New York Sept. 11, 2001,and its consequences may be a good illustration of these verses. This is due to their refusal to obtain salvation through “repentance and rest” ( ). “Repentance and rest” mean that they return from their own chosen path and turn to God (= repentance) and stop trusting in, or resting on, their own strength. Then their strength is in “quietness and trust” and they do not walk the way in their own strength. This gives the LORD the opportunity to show His strength, for God’s power is perfected in – our – weakness ( ). “Trust” means that they no longer put their trust in Egypt, but go to the LORD and trust in Him. Isaiah reproaches them: “But you have not willed” (cf. ). They have shown their unwillingness. Then all effort is in vain and the LORD must confront them with the consequences of their evil will and judge them. His judgment is that they get their way. Their plan will turn against them. Do they think they can flee quickly? They will, but their enemies will be faster ( ; ). Horses are ‘modern’ in those days, they are the means to victory. Nowadays we would say: ‘They rely on their ‘Iron Dome’ and nuclear weapons, instead of on the LORD.’ But then the LORD speaks: ‘Will they put an end to the Holy One of Israel ( )? The Holy One of Israel will put an end to them ( )’! They will be bitterly disappointed. The fear will be so deep that seeing a single hostile soldier makes a thousand of them flee ( ; cf. ; ). And if the enemies come in five, the whole people will run away. If they had been obedient, the reverse would have been the case ( ). Now in the depopulated land there will be only a few left here and there. It is the paragon of desolation. It is also a warning for us not to rely on people.

‏ Isaiah 30:16

If the Word Is Rejected

Then they hear from the mouth of “the Holy One of Israel”, Whom they wanted to keep far away from them, the judgment on all their rebellion, on their wicked will to live without Him (Isa 30:12). They reject “this word”, that is, the instruction of the LORD. At the same time they rely on “oppression and guile”, i.e. the way in which they try to secure the friendship of Egypt. With this way of acting, they work their own downfall. This is how it was before that time, when they put their trust in Assyria, and this is how it will be in the future, when they will put their trust in the restored Roman Empire, Europe (Isa 28:15).

They believe they have the protection of a wall, but the wall is about to fall and they will be buried under its fall (Isa 30:13). The collapse will not only come “suddenly in an instant”, but will be also total. Israel will so ruthlessly be shattered like pottery that not even a sherd will remain for its most mundane use (Isa 30:14). The terrorist attack on the ‘Twin Towers’ in New York Sept. 11, 2001,and its consequences may be a good illustration of these verses.

This is due to their refusal to obtain salvation through “repentance and rest” (Isa 30:15). “Repentance and rest” mean that they return from their own chosen path and turn to God (= repentance) and stop trusting in, or resting on, their own strength. Then their strength is in “quietness and trust” and they do not walk the way in their own strength. This gives the LORD the opportunity to show His strength, for God’s power is perfected in – our – weakness (2Cor 12:9). “Trust” means that they no longer put their trust in Egypt, but go to the LORD and trust in Him.

Isaiah reproaches them: “But you have not willed” (cf. Mt 23:37). They have shown their unwillingness. Then all effort is in vain and the LORD must confront them with the consequences of their evil will and judge them. His judgment is that they get their way. Their plan will turn against them. Do they think they can flee quickly? They will, but their enemies will be faster (Isa 30:16; 2Kgs 25:4-5).

Horses are ‘modern’ in those days, they are the means to victory. Nowadays we would say: ‘They rely on their ‘Iron Dome’ and nuclear weapons, instead of on the LORD.’ But then the LORD speaks: ‘Will they put an end to the Holy One of Israel (Isa 30:11)? The Holy One of Israel will put an end to them (Isa 30:14)’!

They will be bitterly disappointed. The fear will be so deep that seeing a single hostile soldier makes a thousand of them flee (Isa 30:17; cf. Deu 32:30; Jos 23:10). And if the enemies come in five, the whole people will run away. If they had been obedient, the reverse would have been the case (Lev 26:8). Now in the depopulated land there will be only a few left here and there. It is the paragon of desolation. It is also a warning for us not to rely on people.