• Vv. 1-3 The Israelites see the incoming threat and have decided to ask for protection from their age-old enemy, Egypt. The people of Israel look at Egypt and see all the horses, chariots, and horsemen. Egypt is an impressive and imposing force whom even the author gives credit to. Isaiah is not saying that this force that is Egypt is weak, but rather they are man. Because they are human, and not God, ultimately they will fail. Israel needed to lean into God and his strength in this moment of fear, but by their failure Israel and Egypt will fall together. 

• Vv. 4-5 The author wants us to understand an important characteristic of God. God is immovable and his purposes stay true. If he wants to devour as a lion, no amount of shepherds will turn away his hunger. But the opposite is also true, that if his people had asked for his protection, he would have done so with the diligence of a mother bird. 

• Vv. 6-9 Isaiah issues a call to repentance. It begins with the call to “turn”. Remember, repentance is the act of turning or a change of direction, a realigning with the Lord. But allowing idolatry to come over their loves, Israel had effectively turned their backs on God, which made it extremely easy to then make a treaty with Egypt. But Isaiah predicts a coming day when all will return to the Lord and give up their idols. The enemy that is Assyria will be no more and they will be consumed in whole. Their destruction will come not by any human intervention but rather by God’s all-consuming fire which purifies the Earth into righteousness. 

Woeful Alliances: We are living in trying times today. Many of us are struggling with physical struggles of health, finances, loneliness, amount a laundry list of other things. Or, if you have somehow managed to keep all of your physical world in tact, the mental toll of the constant negative news cycle is sure to wear on you. When we are troubled, to whom or what do we turn? And to who or what do we place trust for our future in? It is easy to look around and see the “chariots” and “horsemen” of the world that we’d love to have. But they will not satisfy or give us lasting hope. The promise of hope and a blessed future comes only from our Lord who promises peace to those who turn to him. 

To Protect and Devour: Many of us feel uncomfortable when we hear that our God will devour those who do not turn to him. This is especially true when that punishment is going to be on us! But we have to remember that his perfect character will only allow perfection in his presence. We must turn to him, in doing so taking on the garments of his son by which we will receive the blessing promised, though we do not deserve. We also must remember that God promises to hold those who turn to him. If you turn to the Lord and commit to a life of faith in him, the same God who relentlessly devours evil will likewise not relent in protecting the faithful. This means by staying constant with the Lord we will experience the fruits of peace and joy, regardless of our circumstances.