‏ Isaiah 30

* The Jews reproved for seeking aid from Egypt. (1-7) Judgements

in consequence of their contempt of God's word. (8-18) God's

mercies to his church. (19-26) The ruin of the Assyrian army,

and of all God's enemies. (27-33)

1-7 It was often the fault and folly of the Jews, that when

troubled by their neighbours on one side, they sought for

succour from others, instead of looking up to God. Nor can we

avoid the dreadful consequences of adding sin to sin, but by

making the righteousness of Christ our refuge, and seeking for

the sanctification of the Holy Spirit. Men have always been

prone to lean to their own understandings, but this will end in

their shame and misery. They would not trust in God. They took

much pains to gain the Egyptians. The riches so spent turned to

a bad account. See what dangers men run into who forsake God to

follow their carnal confidences. The Creator is the Rock of

ages, the creature a broken reed; we cannot expect too little

from man, or too much from God. Our strength is to sit still, in

humble dependence upon God and his goodness, and quiet

submission to his will. 8-18 The Jews were the only professing people God then had in

the world, yet many among them were rebellious. They had the

light, but they loved darkness rather. The prophets checked them

in their sinful pursuits, so that they could not proceed without

fear; this they took amiss. But faithful ministers will not be

driven from seeking to awaken sinners. God is the Holy One of

Israel, and so they shall find him. They did not like to hear of

his holy commandments and his hatred of sin; they desired that

they might no more be reminded of these things. But as they

despised the word of God, their sins undermined their safety.

Their state would be dashed in pieces like a potter's vessel.

Let us return from our evil ways, and settle in the way of duty;

that is the way to be saved. Would we be strengthened, it must

be in quietness and in confidence, keeping peace in our own

minds, and relying upon God. They think themselves wiser than

God; but the project by which they thought to save themselves

was their ruin. Only here and there one shall escape, as a

warning to others. If men will not repent, turn to God, and seek

happiness in his favour and service, their desires will but

hasten their ruin. Those who make God alone their confidence,

will have comfort. God ever waits to be gracious to all that

come to him by faith in Christ, and happy are those who wait for

him. 19-26 God's people will soon arrive at the Zion above, and then

they will weep no more for ever. Even now they would have more

comfort, as well as holiness, if they were more constant in

prayer. A famine of bread is not so great a judgment as a famine

of the word of God. There are right-hand and left-hand errors;

the tempter is busy courting us into by-paths. It is happy if,

by the counsels of a faithful minister or friend, or the checks

of conscience, and the strivings of God the Spirit, we are set

right when doubting, and prevented from going wrong. They shall

be cured of their idolatry. To all true penitents sin becomes

very hateful. This is shown daily in the conversion of souls, by

the power of Divine grace, to the fear and love of God. Abundant

means of grace, with the influences of the Holy Spirit, would be

extended to places destitute of them. The effect of this should

be comfort and joy to the people of God. Light, that is,

knowledge, shall increase. This is the light which the gospel

brought into the world, and which proclaims healing to the

broken-hearted. 27-33 God curbs and restrains from doing mischief. With a word

he guides his people into the right way, but with a bridle he

turns his enemies upon their own ruin. Here, in threatening the

ruin of Sennacherib's army, the prophet points at the final and

everlasting destruction of all impenitent sinners. Tophet was a

valley near Jerusalem, where fires were continually burning to

destroy things that were hurtful and offensive, and there the

idolatrous Jews caused their children to pass through the fire

to Moloch. This denotes the certainty of the destruction, as an

awful emblem of the place of torment in the other world. No

oppressor shall escape the Divine wrath. Let sinners then flee

to Christ, seeking to be reconciled to Him, that they may be

safe and happy, when destruction from the Almighty shall sweep

away all the workers of iniquity.