Isaiah was the first of the "Latter Prophets," (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the "Twelve Minor Prophets), and he had a public ministry of approximately 60 years.
Isaiah is considered the greatest of all Hebrew writers, and considered a man of refinement and culture, "a truly poetic soul," and a profound observer of creation and of human nature, a true statesman, and called by some, "the Evangelist of the Old Testament."
The Book of Isaiah is considered to be a bible within the bible. It consists of sixty-six chapters (66 books of the Bible). The first 39 chapters are likened to the 39 books of the Hebrew Scriptures with its judgments upon sinful humanity. And the last 27 chapters are likened to the 27 books of the Greek Scriptures which bring salvation through the Messiah. Isaiah’s prophecies cover thousands of years. Isaiah 30 covers thousands of years:
Isaiah 30:1-3, 6-7—"Woe to the rebellious children [Israel], says the Lord, that take counsel, but not of ME: and cover with a covering [Heb: ‘make an alliance’ or ‘ratify a covenant’], but not of MY spirit [Heb: ‘against My will’], that they may add sin to sin.
That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked of MY mouth [Heb: ‘asked My advice’], to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of EGYPT!
Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion [Heb: ‘humiliation’]."
…they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young donkeys, and their treasures upon the humps of camels, to a people that shall not profit them."
For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still [Heb: ‘therefore I have called her, Rahab {an epithet of Egypt} who sits still,’ or ‘Insolent they sit still,’ or ‘Dragon do nothing’]."
The beginning of Israel’s captivity (northern 10 tribes) was taking place near the beginning of Isaiah’s ministry. Israel had depended upon alliances with other nations to protect them from Assyria, but Assyria defeated Israel’s allies as well.
Now Judah is making overtures to Egypt for protection from Assyria’s advances. But before Judah is attacked, Assyria is defeated by Babylon and now Judah has a new foe to fear. Judah's attempt to buy an ally fails for them as it did for Israel:
I realize the following may sound a little complicated (hence my bracket comments), but it is necessary to see from experts on Biblical History, that Israel’s and Judah’s alliances on foreign powers had zero effect on saving both of their nations.
“When Israel [the northern ten tribes] confidently made its pact with Damascus [the capital city of Aram (Syria) north of Palestine and Israel], it found itself allied with Judah's enemy when Damascus attacked Judah in its own attempts for conquest. Three years after the pact Damascus itself was overrun by Assyria [northeast of Syria, in 739 BC], nullifying any value to Israel that the pact had promised.
Likewise, Judah made its alliance with Egypt [while Assyria was still in power]. When Babylon [who had now conquered Assyria] swept over Judah Egypt failed to honor its part of the alliance and had long before retreated from Nebuchadnezzar's advance, leaving Judah defenseless." (American Journal of Biblical Theology).
And so we have the historical fulfillment of this Isaiah 30. Or do we? It has been remarked many times that "prophecy is dual." Actually, I believe that many prophecies are multi-layered. That is, they are numerous fulfillment's usually beginning with the physical and literal, moving toward the figurative and spiritual. Example: In the very first book of the Bible, Genesis, we have mention of physical Sodom and Egypt (Genesis 13:10), but in the very last book of the Bible we have mentioned "spiritual" Sodom and Egypt (Rev. 11:8).
So, who is Egypt and Sodom TODAY? And who is Israel TODAY?
Is the Israel of all these major prophecies (foretold to happen before the coming of God’s government to this earth), the handful of racially mixed tenants of the State of Israel today? Give me a break.
Is the Jerusalem in prophecy inside today's Israel? Don’t take my word for it
"And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified" (Rev. 11:8).
And where was our Lord crucified? In literal Sodom? NO. In literal Egypt? NO. He was crucified in Jerusalem, which is now for prophetic purposes, "SODOM & EGYPT!"
And when does God’s word tell us "Jerusalem" (which symbolizes all Judah and all Israel) will be restored?
"When your sisters, Sodom and her daughters shall return to their former estate, then YOU [Jerusalem, Verse 2] and your daughters shall return to your former estate" (Ezek. 16:55).
This can only happen after "…the day of the great slaughter when the towers fall" as Sodom is still in the grave. They have not been restored since their original slaughter and destruction.
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