Isiaih 30

The thirtieth through thirty-second chapters refer probably to the summer of 714 B.C. Here are some significant events from this period.

722 BC: Israel is conquered by Assyrian king Sargon II.

720 BC: End of the Assyrian siege of Tyre.

717 BC: Assyrian king Sargon conquers the Hittites stronghold of Carchemish.

717 BC: Sargon II founds a new capital for Assyria at Khorsabad.

716 BC: Roman legend marks this as the date that Romulus ended his rule.

715 BC: Start of the reign of Roman King Numa Pompilius.

713 BC: Numa Pompilius reforms the Roman calendar.

706 BC: Spartan immigrants found Taras (Tarentum, in southern Italy.

705 BC: Sennacherib succeeds Sargon II as king of Assyria.

704 BC: Sennacherib moves the capital of Assyria to Nineveh.

701 BC: King Hezekiah of Judah, backed by Egypt, revolts against king Sennacherib of Assyria.

701 BC: Sennacherib sacks many cities, but fails in his attempt to take Jerusalem.

“Woe to the obstinate children,” declares the Lord, “to those who carry out plans that are not mine,    forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin; who go down to Egypt without consulting me; who look for help to Pharaoh’s protection, to Egypt’s shade for refuge. But Pharaoh’s protection will be to your shame, Egypt’s shade will bring you disgrace.

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After what had happened to Israel, Tyre and the Hittites, Judah's ambassadors were now on their way to Egypt to seek aid against Assyria. Isaiah denounces this reliance on Egypt. God had prohibited such alliances with heathen nations, and it was a leading part of Jewish polity that they should be a separate people.

Men have always been prone to lean to their own understandings and Christians are no exception.  It is often the fault and folly of people of God that when troubled by their neighbours on one side, they seek support from those on the other side...instead of looking to God.

But, alternative salvation will only bring us shame and disgrace...

Look at our nation today. Why are we in such financial debt? Why are we so morally corrupt? Why have we lost our ethical compass? Is it because "we" have failed to maintain a heart for God? It's easy to blame "the government" but, the government is "us". This nation is comprised of you and me...times about 300 million.

Collectively, we're looking in all the wrong places...Wall Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, and Madison Avenue. This is what God says...“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it."

Yet, God is gracious and compassionate. How gracious He will be when [we] cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer [us]. But, you know, it has to begin with us. We can't wait for somebody else to start things rolling.

Live boldly out there today...