The prophet Isaiah began his earthly ministry in 740 BC, the year of King Uzziah’s death. As a true prophet of God, sometimes you have to convey unpopular messages. Any prophet who waters down God’s warning or skips important details will lose God’s favor. Subsequently, when Judah decided to make a treaty with Egypt by trusting in human leaders rather than God. Isaiah exposes the reason for this decision in the passage below.
“Woe (judgment is coming) to the rebellious children,” declares the Lord, “Who carry out a plan, but not Mine, and make an alliance [by pouring out a libation], but not of My Spirit, in order to add sin to sin; Isaiah 30:1.”
According to biblical historians, the prophet Isaiah was sawed in two, dying as a martyr. Perhaps, years of blunt, convicting and negative prophecies led to Isaiah’s death. Yet, when souls choose rebellion over obedience, this becomes a spiritual addiction that results in depravity. Whenever sin is added to sin, human beings are silently telling God with their own actions that I don’t want you or need you right now.
Who proceed down to Egypt without consulting Me, to take refuge in the stronghold of Pharaoh and to take shelter in the shadow of Egypt! 3 “Therefore the safety and protection of Pharaoh will be your shame and the refuge in the shadow of Egypt, your humiliation and disgrace, Isaiah 30:1-3.
The final portion of the prophecy above is a foreshadowing of Judah’s captivity at the hands of the Babylonians. If the new king of Judah would have consulted God first, history could have been changed. Unfortunately, the human flesh has of mind of itself, leading religious followers to seek shelter in the wrong place. Like a broken high school relationship, desperate times led some to rekindle old feelings. However, this passage in Isaiah serves as a reminder to trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding, Proverbs 3:5-6. When you do, God will direct your steps via the Holy Spirit to find a spiritual refuge of God’s choice.
by Jay Mankus
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