Look to the Holy One of Israel
1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who pin their hopes on cavalry, putting their trust in chariots because they are many, relying on horsemen because they are strong.
Why did they not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult Yahweh? 2 And yet he is very wise, and from him disaster will come.
He does not go back on his word; he will rise against the evildoers, and cut off the help the wicked waited for.
3 The Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When Yahweh stretches forth his hand, the helper and the one he helped will fall and perish together.
4 For thus the Lord has spoken: Just as a lion or a lion cub growls over its prey and is neither frightened nor disturbed by the shouts of the shepherd, so will Yahweh Saba oth descend to fight on Mount Zion.
5 Like birds that hover, so will Yahweh Sabaoth shield Jerusalem: he will protect and deliver, rescue and save.
6 Return, O children of Israel, to him you have so wickedly betrayed. 7 On that day each one of you will throw away the idols of silver and gold that his sinful hands have made.
8 Assyria will fall by a sword not wielded by a man. They will be de voured by a sword not held by a mor tal. They will flee before the sword, their young men will be captured and put to forced labor. 9 They will desert their post and the officers, in terror, will abandon the standard.”
It is Yahweh who speaks, whose fire is in Zion and whose furnace is in Jerusalem.
- Isaiah 18,2
- Isaiah 29,15
- Isaiah 30,1
- Isaiah 5,12
- Psalms 146,3
- Hosea 5,14
- Amos 1,2
- Deuteronomy 32,12
- Psalms 36,7
- Isaiah 2,20
This text continues the poem of 30:1 and presents the three protagonists of political power. There are two "great powers" and between them, the small Jewish nation trying to survive. The kings call on Egypt against Assyria and then, on Assyria against Egypt.
Isaiah's teaching is firm: before getting involved in dangerous political games, the king must be just and the people likewise faithful to the commandments. Then, all may rely on God, their Rock. This word of God continues to be meaningful today:
- for the dominated people of the third world.
- for the Church when it feels threatened.
