Judah has allied with Egypt. Hum, wasn’t it God who delivered Israel from Pharaoh centuries ago? Didn’t he show Himself mighty in the plagues he brought against the superpower of Egypt? Didn’t God drown the Egyptian army in the Red Sea? Didn’t God deliver His people from their bondage and slavery?
In today’s reading, Judah has run to Egypt for protection against Assyria, whom God is raising to chasten his people for their sins. So God tells Judah through Isaiah, What sorrow awaits those who look to Egypt for help, trusting their horses, chariots, and charioteers and depending on the strength of human armies instead of looking to the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. For these Egyptians are mere humans, not God! Their horses are puny flesh, not mighty spirits!… (Isaiah 31:1, 3, NLT) Instead of repenting of their sin and turning to God for protection, Judah opts to remain in sin and ally with an old slave master. Wow! How shocking that the people once delivered from cruel bondage have run back to bondage.
What a reminder! In the Bible, Egypt pictures the world. Before we were saved, were we not in bondage to sin, wondering hopelessly in a world that promised everything but always disappointed? Let us remember what God has done for us! But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession… “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. (1 Peter 2:9–11, NLT)
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Isaiah 31-34.