Isaiah 30:16

16 You say, "No! We will escape on horses"- therefore you will escape!- and, "We will ride on fast horses"- but those who pursue you will be faster.

Isaiah 30:16 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 30:16

But ye said, No, for we will flee upon horses
Hither and thither to get help and assistance; go down to Egypt for it on them, or thither for them, as some render it; and then face the enemy, and, if we can not conquer him, will flee from him, and so provide for our safety; this is man's way of salvation, as opposed to God's way; see ( Hosea 1:7 ) ( 14:3 ) or this may design their fleeing on horses and camels with their riches into Egypt, both for the security of them and their persons, ( Isaiah 30:6 ) : therefore shall ye flee;
on horses from the enemy, and be pursued and taken by him; this was fulfilled long after, when the city was taken by the Chaldeans; see ( 2 Kings 25:4 ) : and, We will ride upon the swift;
horses or camels, to the swiftness of which they trusted, and doubted not to get off safe, but would find themselves mistaken: therefore shall they that pursue you be swift;
yea, swifter than the horses and camels they rode on, and overtake them, and either put them to death, or carry them captive. The Chaldeans are represented as very swift, ( Jeremiah 4:13 ) ( Habakkuk 1:8 ) .

Isaiah 30:16 In-Context

14 Its collapse will be like the shattering of a potter's jar, crushed to pieces, so that not even a fragment of pottery will be found among its shattered remains- no fragment large enough to take fire from a hearth or scoop water from a cistern."

15 For the Lord God , the Holy One of Israel, has said: "You will be delivered by returning and resting; your strength will lie in quiet confidence. But you are not willing."

16 You say, "No! We will escape on horses"- therefore you will escape!- and, "We will ride on fast horses"- but those who pursue you will be faster.

17 One thousand [will flee] at the threat of one, at the threat of five you will flee, until you alone remain like a [solitary] pole on a mountaintop or a banner on a hill.

18 Therefore the Lord is waiting to show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion, for the Lord is a just God. Happy are all who wait patiently for Him.