Isaiah 28-30
Isaiah 28-30
“The Book of Woes”
“It is important at this point to be reminded of the history, the historical events
that are going on at this time in the life of Isaiah and his fellow Jews. Life in the
ANE changed dramatically when Tiglath-pileser III became king in 745-727 B. C.
Assyria really became dominant in 729 B. C. when they defeated Babylon. Within
a decade, from Nineveh, Tiglath-pileser III was extending his empire west and had
absorbed Tyre, Damascus, and the northern nation of Israel. The last few kings
were paying tribute to Tiglath-pileser for several years.
As we have already noted, there was an anti-Assyrian alliance that had formed
between King Rezin of Damascus, Syria and King Pekah of Samaria, Israel. These
two joined forces to force King Ahaz of Judah to join their alliance against Assyria.
King Ahaz refused but made an alliance with Assyria. This ended the Syro-
Ephraimite Alliance when they were defeated by Assyria. However, it put King
Ahaz under the domination of Tiglath-pileser of Assyria.
“Tig” died in 727 B. C. and his son, Shalmaneser Vbecame king and crushed an
uprising in Babylon. In 725 B. C., Shalmaneser came west and besieged Samaria
and overthrew it in 722 B. C. In that same year, Sargon II came to the throne.
While Samaria was being besieged, refugees fled south in Judah. So, the whole
situation deteriorated under the reign of King Ahaz. When you don’t trust God,
bad things happen.
King Ahaz died in 715 B. C. and his son, Hezekiah, assumed the throne. We will
see that Hezekiah is a better, more godly man, than his father, Ahaz. Perhaps he
learned from the example of Ahaz.
In 713-711, King Sargon II came west and defeated the cities of Philistia (20:1).
Then, in 703-701, King Sennacherib came against Judah, two years after he
assumes the throne. Egypt was trying to regain its own independence as was
Babylon to the east of Assyria. At this point, the Israelites were strongly tempted
to form an alliance with Egypt against Assyria. That’s what we have pictured in the
next few chapters, 28-33. Let’s just take a look at chapters 28-30: (Holland, 54).”
Chapter 28
Judah had turned more and more toward Egypt for protection. Shackleford (291)
states, “Most scholars agree that the issues addressed here refer to the reign of
Hezekiah (715-695 BC).”
V1
I. “Woe” is a mournful sound of disaster.
II. Isaiah recalls what the northern kingdom (Ephraim) once was.
III. The leadership may not have been literally drunk, but they were
confused and bumbling, making bad decision after bad decision.
V2 - 4
I. Ephraim will be attacked as a “first fruit” or “first-ripe fig” by Assyria.
The first fruit was eagerly consumed and was the most delicious.
V5 – 6
I. It is the Lord who saves!
II. Perceived beauty and glory were to be replaced with true beauty and
glory – the salvation of His people.
V7
I. Isaiah shifts to Judah.
II. The spiritual leaders (priest and prophet) were acting in a confused and
irresponsible manner. Remember, they were the ones charged with
giving divine guidance to the nation. (Deut. 18:18; Lev. 10:11)
V8
I. For those who returned to the Lord, a banquet. For those who refuse,
vomit! This is a sickening description of the debauchery of the northern
kingdom.
V9
I. The people had refused knowledge. Who would the Lord teach? The
young? Babes? This was an illustration and a charge against Judah’s
immaturity in rejecting God’s Word.
V10 – 13
I. Isaiah shows their incompetence as leaders.
II. V10 - “Here is the text in the Hebrew: “tsav letsav tsar letsav. qav leqav
qav leqav. ze’er sham ze’er sham.” “The people’s spiritual depth of
understanding had become pitifully shallow and immature.” “His laws
are like little petty annoyances, one command after another, or one
joined to another, coming constantly” (Young, 276; Holland, 55).”
III. V11 - When we fail to set aside our pride and arrogance we will not have
an understanding of nor speak of God in a form that makes sense. We
will cherry pick, twist, contort, and corrupt the message of God. 1 Cor.
14:21
IV. God’s people must be careful to not minimize God to material or earthly
matters. It is the soul that concerns God most.
V. The tragic conclusion to not listening to the Word of the Lord,
destruction. 2 Chron. 24:19
V14
I. “Scornful” or “scoffers” (latson) – insolent, contemptuous, arrogant, one
who turns his back on what is good. Scoffers are condemned frequently
in Proverbs: 9:8; 14:6; 15:12; 21:24; 22:10; 24:9
II. They didn’t just choose the wrong way, they mocked the right way.
V15
I. The foreign policy of Judah was sinful. Do not trust man; trust God.
V16
I. “tried” or “tested” stone, a “precious” or “costly” cornerstone. This is
messianic and holds a meaning to them at that time as well. In the
immediate, the Lord was their stone or Rock (source of strength). In that
day, Jesus is THE cornerstone: 1 Pet. 2:4-6; Eph. 2:20; Rom: 9:33; 10:11.
V17
I. God “measures” His people by justice and righteousness.
V18-19
I. The leaders of Judah thought they had death beat. They thought that
getting aid from alliances would save them. It was folly. Assyria would
ride in an plunder and terrorize the people.
V20-22
I. V20 – most likely a proverb in the futility of alliances to man.
II. V21 – God gave great victories to Israel at Mount Perazim and Gibeon: 2
Sam. 5:20; Josh. 10:10-11. Isaiah is reminding the people of Judah.
III. V22 – Having said that, Isaiah says “STOP IT”.
V23-28
I. Four imperatives: give ear, hear, listen, and hear. Pay attention.
Understand. It is God who gives.
V29
I. Looking at God’s plan we see wisdom (thushiyyah) as we have never
seen. This is a wisdom that plans ahead and achieves results!
Questions
1. Summarized, what was God’s charge against Ephraim?
2. What will the Lord be to the remnant?
3. Summarized, what was God’s charge against the spiritual leaders of Judah?
Chapter 29
The background of this chapter may be the siege of Jerusalem in 701 BC. Details
are given more fully in chapters 37 and 38. See also 2 Kings 19 and 20.
V1
I. “Woe” – God, through Isaiah, is making a mournful pronouncement.
II. “Ariel” – lioness of ‘EL (God) – most likely a symbolic name for Jerusalem
as that is where worship occurred in the temple.
III. The people had failed to worship God how He said He was to be
worshipped so it is possible that Isaiah speaks with irony of the feasts.
What were these feasts? Feast of Unleavened Bread, Weeks, Booths or
Tabernacles, Passover.
V2-4
I. God’s judgement is certain. To siege a city is more than hurling stones at
a wall or into the city. It is also the cutting off of the water and food
supply.
V5-8
I. Isaiah uses terrifying and vivid words of their foes: a multitude as many
as fine dust, terrible in nature, swift (instant), thunder, the earth
shaking, like a tempest and devouring fire.
II. It will be a nightmare.
V9-12
I. To continue in rebellion and disobedience is to is to be without foresight
and in confusion; blind and drunk.
II. Verse 9 is used by Paul: Rom. 11: 7-10
III. When we reject God over and over, He will give us up to error and evil.
We have a lesson in that in Romans 1: 18-32.
V13-14
I. The Lord was charging the people with hypocritical worship. We can call
on the Lord’s name all we want, but what do we do? What is our
condition of heart to the Lord?
II. “And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men” or
“tradition learned by rote (repetition and memorization)” – They were
not teaching God by His revealed Word, they were teaching what they
wanted to teach of God – protection, being His people, untouchable –
not what God expected of them and how they should live, according to
His commandments and statutes.
III. 1 Cor. 1:18-19; see also Mark 7:5; Mark 7:8. We are warned time and
time again not to follow the traditions of men, but the revealed Word of
God.
IV. Even still, God “...will deal marvelously with this people...” (NASB). The
remnant will be cared for. They will survive. They will bring the Christ.
V15
I. “Woe” to those who secretly plan evil. Practical atheism – thinking they
could conceal their intentions from God.
V16
I. Because they had things turned around, they were perverse.
II. Is. 64:8. God is the Creator. He knows all, is all power, and is
everywhere.
V17-19
I. Isaiah looks to the future and that could include the land which the
Messiah would come, as we know that the land would be laid waste in
the near future and at the present time in some areas. It would also be
the nation, from the remnant, that would bring forth the Messiah.
II. As has already been seen, agricultural symbolism is used to express the
blessings and even the spiritual transformation brought about by the
Lord. Those who place their trust in the Lord will be rewarded.
V20-21
I. God will put an end to those who treat people terribly, who behave
ruthlessly, and who mock.
II. Three abuses of those who treat people terribly: “make a man an
offender by a word”, false testimony; “lay a snare for him...in the gate”,
witness-tampering; “turn aside the just”, denying justice.
V22
I. Isaiah calls the nation to remember Abraham and how the Lord
delivered him and made the promise of three parts.
V23-24
I. God’s people will set Him apart and thusly will be set apart themselves.
1 Pet. 3:15; John 17:17; REPENTANCE.
II. The result of sanctification? Knowing the truth and accepting instruction
(obedience).
Questions
4. What will the Lord do to Jerusalem (v3)?
5. What will happen to Judah’s wisdom?
6. What will those do who return to the Lord?
Chapter 30
The contrast: human faithlessness and God’s faithfulness
V1-7
I. “Rebellious children” – God considers it rebellion for man to rely on
human intervention rather than Him. Counsel was sought outside of
God – sin. From that sinful counsel, a plan was made without God – sin.
II. Sending an embassy to Egypt was a deliberate act of rebellion against
God and it would bring shame and reproach.
III. Isaiah reminds the people that God had led them out of and had
crushed the very land and people they now sought help from! Moses
had reminded them before: Deut. 8:15
V8-14
I. “Prophecy was to be documented as an eternal record of God’s
faithfulness in fulfilling His promises (Shackleford, 316)”.
II. Refusing to listen to the instructions of the Lord is rebellion, m’ri,
(Ezekiel: 2:5, 6, 8; 3:9, 26,27; 12:2) to the Lord.
III. V10 – It must be understood that the prophets were not being told to
stop preaching and teaching, they were told to only say what the people
wanted to hear. We must remember that servants of the Lord should
always faithfully declare the Word of the Lord, regardless of the
consequences.
IV. As a result of their rejection of the Word, ruin will occur suddenly and
devastatingly.
V15-17
I. “Returning” or “repentance” and rest (relying on the Lord is much easier
than trying to keep up with who is who and what is what) is the answer!
But they refuse.
II. They will flee but it will not be fast enough. They will be as a sign to
those that pass by. Asign of what happens when you disobey the Lord.
V18
I. God has great desire to show grace, compassion, justice and blessing.
II. In like manner, when people show great desire for the Lord, how
blessed they/we are!
V19-26
I. God disciplines His people but His ear is ready to hear. He heard their
cry in Egypt, and He will hear, those who repent, their cry in Judah.
II. V20 – 22 The NASBand other translations consider this to be Teacher,
referring to God. If it is or if it refers to the prophets and teachers of the
Word, the point remains: idols will be removed, and they will walk in His
ways.
III. Blessings : Rain, rich and plenteous harvests, large pastures, etc. All of
these are metaphors for God’s providential care for His people.
V27-33
I. “ “The name of the Lord...” stands for all that He is: His being, His
revelation, and His action. He is the mighty Warrior that defeats the
enemy” (Hailey, 260).
II. In the Rock or Strength, there will be rejoicing and gladness.
III. “arm” – frequently used by the prophet to depict God’s judgement and
protection.
IV. Assyria will be destroyed. “Tophet” or “Topheth” was a site in the valley
of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem. Solomon sinned there (1 Kings 11:7b),
and other kings sinned there (Jer. 32:35). Josiah had used the area to
burn refuse. “Geheena” (GRK: geena, “hell”) the place of eternal fire, is
derived from the Hebrew name meaning “valley of Hinnom”. See Mt.
5:22; 29, 30; 10:28; James 3:6.
We must always make our plans in accordance to the Will of God. We must
remember, that “my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor my ways are your
ways...” Is. 55:8-9
Questions
7. Who should have the Jews sought counsel from?
8. Who should have been the base of the Jews plan?
9. How might they be saved (v15)?
10. Who are we to make the base of our plans? Why?
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