Isaiah delivered the messages of chapters 28-33 at the peak of his ministry, under Hezekiah. He unleashed a series of “woes”, or warnings; first, to the drunken, scoffing politicians of Israel and Judah. Isaiah 28:1 Woe to that wreath, the pride of Ephraim’s drunkards,to the fading flower, his glorious beauty, set on the head of a fertile valley—to that city, the pride of those laid low by wine!
Next he rebuked those who carried on the form of religion, without true faith. Isaiah 29:13 The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips,but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.
Isaiah pronounced a woe to those who attempted to hide their plans from God (possibly referring to secret political alliances). Isaiah 29:15 Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think,“Who sees us? Who will know?”
In Isaiah 30, he pronounces a “woe” to the pro-Egyptian party for lobbying for a political alliance with Egypt. Isaiah 30:1-2 “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; 2 who go down to Egypt without consulting me; who look for help to Pharaoh’s protection,to Egypt’s shade for refuge.
Next he pronounced a “woe” to those who trusted in military power instead of God. Isaiah 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel,or seek help from the Lord.
And finally, Isaiah pronounced a “woe” to the Assyrians, seemingly invincible and though used by God to bring judgment they would be judged as well and absolutely defeated by the hand of God. Isaiah 33:1 Woe to you, destroyer,you who have not been destroyed! Woe to you, betrayer,you who have not been betrayed! When you stop destroying,you will be destroyed; when you stop betraying,you will be betrayed.
The overall theme of these chapters is that God was going to punish His children but He did this because He loved them and He wanted to get their attention. The goal was to bring some back to Him. Those who listened to the Word of the Lord would be spared and enjoy a spiritual revival like none other. This Wednesday’s lesson will focus on Isaiah 29 and will be available to listen to beginning around 6:00 PM Wednesday by clicking on Wednesday Bible Study.