Isaiah
30:7
7 For the Egyptians [Mitsrayim] shall help [`azar] in vain [hebel], and to no purpose [riyq]:
therefore have I cried [qara'] concerning this [zo'th], Their [hem] strength [rahab] is to sit still [shebeth]. KJV-Interlinear
7 Egypt’s help is worthless and
empty; therefore I have called her “Rahab who sits still.” ESV
The word for strength, rahab, refers to ferocity,
haughtiness, boasting, insolence, and herein refers to Egypt, which boasts a
lot but does nothing.
Isaiah repeats the same thing that he is already said,
which is that placing Israel’s trust in Egypt is the same as placing trust in
nothing.
Egypt was once a great nation prior to the Exodus. But
after the Exodus and the Egyptian disaster at the Red Sea, that nation went
into a tremendous decline, which they never really recovered from, at least not
to the extent of their pre-Exodus empire.
So Isaiah uses the word rahab, to indicate a double
meeting with respect to a nation that boasts a lot based on their former glory,
but in reality was nothing more than an insolent paper tiger.
The principle, since Egypt represents the world, and
sin, and defiance against the God of Israel, who is Jesus Christ, is that in
any attempt to look to the world for ones meaning and purpose, for ones
prosperity and safety, is nothing more than the pursuit of emptiness.
Egypt could do nothing for Israel. The world can do
nothing for the individual.
Bible doctrine, which is the written word representing
Christ, is the only source of safety and prosperity, and everything else that
is meaningful in this world.
Unfortunately, too many people boast in their own
understanding, and refuse to listen to correct instruction. And that of course
is why people who refuse to listen and learn, fail.
These
studies are a part of the massive daily study web site at DailyBibeStudy.Org,
and are written, so that you can come to Christ if you have not done so
already, and therefore not be lost forever.
And
if you have already believed in Christ, then these studies are written so you
can learn and understand and grow in your spiritual life, so that you can come
to the full knowledge of Christ, so that you can fulfill your meaning and
purpose in life as God intended for you, and so you can qualify for a phenomenal
eternal reward which you will have forever.
To
ignore this opportunity to pursue a daily study means you will be incomplete,
unfulfilled and you will lose out, big time.
The
Daily Bible Study is online, making it possible as never before in all of human
history, to advance in ones relationship with God, through Christ, and to
complete yourself beyond your imagination.
But
you have to decide to make that commitment.
No one else can study for you.
You have to do that yourself.