Be Quiet, Be Still Isaiah 30

Isaiah 30:15 "For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength; and ye would not."

We have said several times that Israel is going under the judgment of God for their idol worship and rejection of the one true God. Now instead of taking their chastisement like children should, they are running to find shelter someplace else.

v1 "Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin."

We've heard it said to people in trouble that refuse help from those who love them, 'You are just making it worse.' Israel by not seeking the Lord but rather returning to the land they were delivered from, is just making things worse.

v2 "That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth, to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt."

Egypt is not the help Israel needs. Egypt gave Israel shelter once because of Joseph but later made them slaves. Israel departed slaves and were turned into a great nation by the Lord. It is shameful for Israel to now return to the land that enslaved them.

v3 "Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh, be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion."

So, if running is not the answer, what is the answer?

v7 "For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose; therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still."

v16 "But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee, and We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift."

So, we see Israel trying to avoid facing their chastisement but there will come a day when they seek the Lord for help and he will be there.

v18 "And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you; for the LORD is a God of judgment; blessed are all they that wait for him."

When the day comes that Israel can admit that they have been wrong to worship idols, then the Lord can help them. No one can really be helped until they admit to themselves that they need help.