The Preacher's Commentary - Vol. 17: Isaiah 1-39 by David L. McKenna

Author:David L. McKenna
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-09-14T16:00:00+00:00

THE SPIRIT OF FAILING PRIDE

As always, Isaiah sees arrogance and pride as the sins of Egypt. Their expression, however, is uniquely Egyptian. They are monotheists who worship Ra, the sun god, and they are idolaters who exalt Pharaoh to divine prominence. While not symbolizing the essence of evil as Isaiah portrayed Babylon, Egypt is a difficult case because the Egyptians are believers and worshipers who might well ask, “We have our god, why do we need another?”

God strikes in judgment right at the heart of Egyptian pride. To start, God divided Egypt into warring factions at every level of society—Egyptian against Egyptian, brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, and kingdom against kingdom (v. 2). Egypt boasted not only of its high religion but also of its high culture. A visit to the monuments and museums of Egypt dazzle the modern visitor with exquisite artwork, inventive engineering, and sophisticated knowledge. These cultural advancements were accompanied by a national pride that perceived Egypt as the center of the universe and superior to all other cultures. God’s judgment will confound all of these products of human ingenuity and out of confusion they will turn to their idols, charmers, mediums, and sorcerers for the answer. A nation that had all of the answers will now have none and will fall under the boot of a cruel master and fierce king (v. 4).

Along with its high religion, culture, and technology, Egypt prided itself in its rich environment created by the rise and fall of the Nile River. In fact, the cycle of their seasons and their annual festivals coincided with the flood times of the Nile because their agriculture and economy depended upon the fertile deltas created by the rising and falling waters. The sin of trusting the river rather than God brought sharp punishment upon them. Isaiah tells us that the waters will run dry and stagnant so that “everything sown by the River, will wither, be driven away, and be no more” (v. 7). The industries of fishing and textiles, upon which the Egyptian economy depends, will also be affected by God’s judgment. Commercial fishing hooks and nets will come up empty and the quality of the woven cloth will become so inferior that the spinners and the weavers will be ashamed to take their wages.

Still another punishment is prophesied for proud, proud Egypt. Isaiah says that the superior wisdom of which the Egyptians bragged will be exposed as foolishness (v. 11). Especially those princes, wise men, and counselors upon whom the Pharaoh counted for wise decisions will be unable to explain God’s purpose for Egypt. Instead of wise counsel, they will either be dumbfounded, deceived, or deluded (vv. 12–13). Worse yet, when they do offer counsel, it will send Egypt in the wrong direction staggering like a “drunken man . . . in his vomit” (v. 14). A once unified nation with a clear sense of direction is now spinning out of control without any answer to civil strife, economic depression, and national unemployment (v.

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