This past week in Isaiah 28, we were looking at God’s warning to Judah through the cautionary tale of Ephraim (Israel). God allowed Israel to be exiled by Assyria (“one who is mighty and strong” v. 2; “the overwhelming whip” v. 15; “the overwhelming scourge” v. 18) when they ignored His promise of presence, protection, and rest. When Isaiah turns to warn Judah, he speaks of their “covenant with death” (28:15, 18).
On Sunday, I noted that this “covenant with death” referred to Judah’s engagement with Babylon. I misspoke! If you were to look at an early version of my notes, I had correctly identified this “covenant with death” as speaking about Judah’s alliance with Egypt.
That becomes important when we get to chs. 30-31, and Egypt comes into plain view.
Babylon is the focus later in Isaiah’s vision. They are the enemy that takes the people of Judah into captivity.
The main point of the sermon on Sunday still stands (God’s punishment often must come prior to His promise), but I did not want to let this go without acknowledging my mistake! Don’t worry, I will come back to it and clarify from the pulpit when we look at chs. 30-31 as well.