“That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!”
Who go down to Egypt, without asking for My counsel, to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt, establishing that the specific rebellion involves seeking military and political support from Egypt rather than from God. The descent to Egypt represents both literal diplomatic mission and metaphorically the turning away from God to human powers. The lack of asking for God's counsel emphasizes the willfulness of the decision and the rejection of prophetic guidance. The imagery of refuge in Pharaoh's protection and shelter in Egypt's shadow suggests the false confidence that human alliance provides. The oracle exposes the spiritual bankruptcy of political strategy that relies on earthly powers rather than on God. The descent to Egypt, repeatedly mentioned in Isaiah, represents a loss of faith and a return to the condition of bondage from which God had freed Israel.
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