Class Notes on Isa 30:1-3

Isa 30:1-3 "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. //

3 But Pharaoh's protection will be to your shame, // Egypt's shade will bring you disgrace. NIV

• First, how does God describe his people, and what does it mean?
  • Obstinate
    • Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French obstinat, Latin obstinatus, past participle of obstinare to be resolved, from ob- in the way + -stinare (akin to stare to stand)
    • 1 : perversely adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion<obstinate resistance to change>2 : not easily subdued, remedied, or removed <obstinate fever> (Pasted from <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obstinate> )
    • Hebrew (Strongs OT:5637) S¹rar. The root means basically "to be stubborn." … It is a rebellious generation (Ps 78:8) or heifer (Hos 4:16) which walks in its own way (Isa 65:2). It has a stubborn shoulder (Neh 9:29), a deaf ear (Zech 7:11), and a stubborn and rebellious heart (Jer 5:23). (from Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Copyright © 1980 by The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.)

• How is the stubbornness described?
  • Carry out plans that are not mine
  • Act contrary to the Spirit
  • Heap sin on sin
  • Act without consulting

• How can we tell when we are being stubborn or just acting in prudence?
  • Do we pray for guidance?
  • Do we discuss with others, preferably more spiritually mature?
  • How do we respond to contrarian advice? Our attitude reflects our heart

• Historically, Shabako, a Nubian was pharaoh over Egypt. That fact alone tells a lot of Egypt's strength in that day, that a foreigner reigned. Egypt was in fact weak and did not respond when Assyria attacked. The verses which follow (6, 7) suggest a secret trip through the Negev to avoid Assyrian detection
• APPLICATION:
  • It is very hard to determine when you are stubborn. The emotion itself suggests that you will deny it. Most people find out that they are stubborn the hard way, through difficult circumstances that are ultimately the result of their stubbornness. That is a very sad way to learn
  • You can pray Ps 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; // test me and know my anxious thoughts. // 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, // and lead me in the way everlasting. NIV