In this part, we outline Isaiah chapters 30 to 31.

3 Help is Not in Egypt (Isa 30-31)

• Woe to those who execute a plan but not God’s plan, who look to Egypt for help. The result will be shame and reproach (Isa 30:1-5).
• The Egyptian rulers are characterised as the feared "beasts of the Negev" the wilderness of the south, contrasted to the tamed beasts of burden that pointlessly carried Judah's treasures to Egypt as tribute. Egypt would take the treasure but give no help in return (Isa 30:6-7).
• Isaiah is to record Judah’s rebellion and rejection of God on a scroll.
• 1. A rebellious people who will not hear (Isa 30:8-11).
• 2. Judah will be smashed like a clay jar (Isa 30:12-14).
• 3. The Lord will graciously wait and restore Judah (Isa 30:15-18).
• A song about God’s grace and Judah’s restoration (Isa 30:18-26).
• It will be the Lord, (not Egypt) who deals with the enemy Assyria. His breath will kindle the funeral pyre of Assyria (Isa 30:27-33).
• Woe to those who go to Egypt for help, instead of to God. The Egyptians are men, not God. Their horses are flesh, not spirit. They will perish (Isa 31:1-3).
• God will save Judah from Assyria with "a sword not of mankind" (Isa 31:4-9).