Isaiah 30:12-21

12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, "1Since you have rejected this word And have put your trust in 2oppression and guile, and have relied on them,
13 Therefore this 3iniquity will be to you Like a 4breach about to fall, A bulge in a high wall, Whose collapse comes 5suddenly in an instant,
14 Whose collapse is like the smashing of a 6potter's jar, So ruthlessly * shattered That a sherd will not be found among its pieces To take fire from a hearth Or to scoop water from a cistern."
15 For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, "In repentance and 7rest you will be saved, In 8quietness and trust is your strength." But you were not willing,
16 And you said, "No, for we will flee on 9horses," Therefore * you shall flee! "And we will ride on swift horses," Therefore * those who pursue you shall be swift.
17 10One thousand will flee at the threat of one man; You will flee at the threat of five, Until * you are left as a flag on a mountain top And as a signal on a hill.

God Is Gracious and Just

18 Therefore the LORD 11longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on 12high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a 13God of justice; How blessed are all those who 14long for Him.
19 O people in Zion, 15inhabitant in Jerusalem, you will 16weep no longer. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will 17answer you.
20 Although the Lord has given you 18bread of privation and water of oppression, He, your Teacher will no longer 19hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher.
21 Your ears will hear a word behind * you, "This is the 20way, walk in it," whenever you 21turn to the right or to the left.

Isaiah 30:12-21 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 30

This chapter contains a complaint of the Jews for their sins and transgressions; a prophecy of their destruction for them; a promise of grace and mercy, and of happy times, to the saints; and a threatening of utter and dreadful ruin to the wicked. The Jews are complained of for their rebellion against God, their slighting his counsel and protection, their trust in Egypt, and application there for help; whither they went with their riches for safety, but in vain, it being contrary to the will and counsel of God, Isa 30:1-7 next follows a denunciation of ruin and destruction for these things, rebellion, and lying, and vain confidence, as well as for contempt of the word of God, which, that it might appear sure and certain, is ordered to be written in a book, Isa 30:8-12 and this ruin is signified by the sudden falling of a wall, and by the breaking of a potter's vessel into pieces, which can never be used more, Isa 30:13,14 and seeing they rejected the way of salvation proposed by the Lord, and took their own way, first destruction is threatened them, which should be very easily brought about, and become so general, that few should escape it, Isa 30:15-17 and then promises of grace and mercy are made to them that wait for the Lord, Isa 30:18 such as a dwelling place in Zion, hearing their prayers, granting them teachers to instruct them, and the riddance of idolatry from them, Isa 30:19-22 and also many outward blessings, as seasonable rain, good bread corn, fat pastures, good food for cattle, and fruitfulness of mountains and hills, Isa 30:23-25 likewise an amazing degree of spiritual light and glory, and healing of the Lord's people, Isa 30:26 and the chapter is concluded with a threatening Of God's wrath upon the Assyrian, expressed by various similes, as of an angry man, an overflowing torrent, a tempest of thunder, lightning, and hail, and the fire of Tophet, Isa 30:27-33.

Cross References 21

  • 1. Isaiah 5:24; Isaiah 7:9; Isaiah 8:6
  • 2. Isaiah 3:14, 15; Isaiah 5:7; Isaiah 59:13
  • 3. Isaiah 26:21
  • 4. 1 Kings 20:30; Psalms 62:4; Isaiah 58:12
  • 5. Isaiah 29:5; Isaiah 47:11
  • 6. Psalms 2:9; Jeremiah 19:10, 11
  • 7. Psalms 116:7; Isaiah 28:12
  • 8. Isaiah 7:4; Isaiah 32:17
  • 9. Isaiah 2:7; Isaiah 31:1, 3
  • 10. Leviticus 26:36; Deuteronomy 28:25; Deuteronomy 32:30; Joshua 23:10; Proverbs 28:1
  • 11. Isaiah 42:14, 16; Isaiah 48:9; Jonah 3:4, 10; 2 Peter 3:9, 15
  • 12. Isaiah 2:11, 17; Isaiah 33:5
  • 13. Isaiah 5:16; Isaiah 28:17; Isaiah 61:8
  • 14. Isaiah 8:17; Isaiah 25:9; Isaiah 26:8; Isaiah 33:2
  • 15. Isaiah 65:9; Ezekiel 37:25, 28
  • 16. Isaiah 25:8; Isaiah 60:20; Isaiah 61:1-3
  • 17. Psalms 50:15; Isaiah 58:9; Isaiah 65:24; Matthew 7:7-11
  • 18. 1 Kings 22:27; Psalms 80:5
  • 19. Psalms 74:9; Amos 8:11
  • 20. Psalms 25:8, 9; Proverbs 3:6; Isaiah 35:8, 9; Isaiah 42:16
  • 21. Isaiah 29:24

Footnotes 10

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