Lesson 99A – Isaiah 30–35

Who Can Dwell

Let’s get into some history

• Sargon II responsible for great expansion• Israel already captured, Judah a tributary• Sargon II dies 705 BC• Assyrian states start rebelling (Egypt in

the West, Bablyon in the East)

Let’s get into some history

• Judah decides to join a coalition of rebellion against Assyria.

• Philistia and Phoenicia at first, but then also Egypt who was becoming a much stronger threat.

Isaiah is not a fan of this move

• King Ahaz making a deal with Assyria is what got them in this mess in the first place (paying tribute for preservation, basically extortion).

• It is relying on the power of men to preserve them rather than the power of God.

• He tells them 5 different ways in Isaiah 30-31.

Warning #1

• Isa 30:1-3 – “the shadow of Egypt”• What is the result of trusting in Egypt?

– Shame and confusion• What does it mean to add “sin to sin”?

– When they were in trouble because of their sin, they turn to more sin instead of the Lord.

– How often does sin lead to more sin?– What are some OT examples?– What are some modern examples?

Warning #2• Isa 30:6-7 – A little more subtle• “they will carry their treasures… to a people that shall

not profit them”• When have we talked about riches to or from Egypt?• Exodus 12:35-36• Now they’re bringing riches back to them?

Warnings #3-#4• Isa 30:12-14

– What happens because they “trust in oppression” (trust in the same nation that used to oppress them)?

– A small breach, then a swelling, then a “breaking cometh suddenly at an instant”

• Isa 30:16-17– Egypt is known for it’s fast horses and chariots.

What will happen, though?– “therefore shall they that pursue you be swift”– “One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one”

• “till ye be left… as an ensign on a hill”– Just a touch of foreshadowing

Warning #5 – In summation

• Isa 31:1-3– Isaiah finally tells it to them straight.– “Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and

not spirit”– Both will fail

• And yet…– Isa 30:18-20 – “therefore will the Lord wait”

• v20 – What is the bread of adversity and the water of affliction?– Where is bread and water used? What does it represent?

Who is the teacher?

Isaiah 33:14-15

• Often considered one of the most beautiful scriptures of the Old Testament.

• First, let’s answer the question. Who “shall dwell with the devouring fire?”– The righteous. What does that mean? What is a

necessary part of righteousness?– Enduring through fire and burning.– The Lord is not asking who is righteous, but who

will be righteous in the end.

v35 – Composite Parrallelism

Walketh Righteously

Speaketh Uprightly

Despiseth Oppression

Shaketh Hands from Bribes

Stoppeth Ears fromhearing of blood

Shutteth Eyes from seeing evil

Bruce R. McConkie explains“Now if I may, I shall take these words of Isaiah, spoken by the power of the Holy Ghost in the first instance, and give some indication as to how they apply to us and our circumstances.

“First, ‘He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly.’ That is, building on the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, we must keep the commandments. We must speak the truth, and work the works of righteousness. We shall be judged by our thoughts, our words and our deeds.

“Second, ‘. . . he that despiseth the gain of oppressions.’ That is, we must act with equity and justice toward our fellowmen. It is the Lord himself who said that he, at the day of his coming, will be a swift witness against those that oppress the hireling in his wages.

“Third, ‘. . . he that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes.’ That is, we must reject every effort to buy influence, and instead deal fairly and impartially with our fellowmen. God is no respecter of persons. He esteemeth all flesh alike; and those only who keep his commandments find special favor with him. Salvation is free; it cannot be purchased with money; and those only are saved who abide the law upon which its receipt is predicated. Bribery is of the world.

“Fourth, he ‘. . . that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil.’ That is, we must not center our attention on evil and wickedness. We must cease to find fault and look for good in government and in the world. We must take an affirmative, wholesome approach to all things.”

Why the Composite Poetry?

• These are parts of a whole, and we must commit our whole self to last through the everlasting burnings.

• And what is our reward?• Isa 33:16• “his (or her) waters shall be sure”• Only through righteousness and commitment

will we find ourselves with God in the end.

Notebook Ideas

• What other parts of the composite body of righteousness could you add and what would it represent? (feet, fingers, belly, nose, etc)

• Why is it so easy to use sin to cover up sin? How do we break out of the cycle?