Isaiah 30:1-18, NIV
Map: why obstinate-carry out plans that are not mine…alliance..not by my spirit..sin upon sin…look to Pharoah’s protection..Egypt’s shade for refuge..only shame and disgrace vs 1-5; oracle concerning animals in Negev (a desert in Israel); write it on a tablet…inscribe it on a scroll..everlasting witness…rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the LORD’s instructions…stop confronting us with the Holy one of Israel;…sin will become for you like a high wall, cracked and bulging, and collapses suddenly, in an instant….break in pieces like pottery; ..LORD says…in repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength. but you would have none of it…vs 7-15;…Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of Justice. Blessed are all who wait for him (vs 18,NIV).
Who do u consult in life? Are your plans in syn with God? – success or failure. Wait upon the LORD.
Isaiah 30:1-18, GNB
[1]The Lord has spoken: “Those who rule Judah are doomed because they rebel against me. They follow plans that I did not make, and sign treaties against my will, piling one sin on another.
[2]They go to Egypt for help without asking for my advice. They want Egypt to protect them, so they put their trust in Egypt’s king.
[3]But the king will be powerless to help them, and Egypt’s protection will end in disaster.
[4]Although their ambassadors have already arrived at the Egyptian cities of Zoan and Hanes,
[5]the people of Judah will regret that they ever trusted that unreliable nation, a nation that fails them when they expect help.”
[6]This is God’s message about the animals of the southern desert: “The ambassadors travel through dangerous country, where lions live and where there are poisonous snakes and flying dragons. They load their donkeys and camels with expensive gifts for a nation that cannot give them any help.
[7]The help that Egypt gives is useless. So I have nicknamed Egypt, ‘The Harmless Dragon’ ”.
[8]God told me to write down in a book what the people are like, so that there would be a permanent record of how evil they are.
[9]They are always rebelling against God, always lying, always refusing to listen to the Lord’s teachings.
[10]They tell the prophets to keep quiet. They say, “Don’t talk to us about what’s right. Tell us what we want to hear. Let us keep our illusions.
[11]Get out of our way and stop blocking our path. We don’t want to hear about your holy God of Israel.”
[12]But this is what the holy God of Israel says: “You ignore what I tell you and rely on violence and deceit.
[13]You are guilty. You are like a high wall with a crack running down it; suddenly you will collapse.
[14]You will be shattered like a clay pot, so badly broken that there is no piece big enough to pick up hot coals with, or to scoop water from a cistern.”
[15]The Sovereign Lord, the holy God of Israel, says to the people, “Come back and quietly trust in me. Then you will be strong and secure.” But you refuse to do it!
[16]Instead, you plan to escape from your enemies by riding fast horses. And you are right — escape is what you will have to do! You think your horses are fast enough, but those who pursue you will be faster!
[17]A thousand of you will run away when you see one enemy soldier, and five soldiers will be enough to make you all run away. Nothing will be left of your army except a lonely flagstaff on the top of a hill!
[18]And yet the Lord is waiting to be merciful to you. He is ready to take pity on you because he always does what is right. Happy are those who put their trust in the Lord.