This is what Yahweh says: “Woe to the rebellious children, who carry out their own plans but not mine, and who sign treaties without consulting my Spirit, piling one sin upon another.

2 You travel down to Egypt to find help without being guided by the words of my mouth. Instead, you put your trust in Pharaoh’s protection, seeking shelter in the shadow of Egypt.

3 Therefore, Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the shelter of Egypt’s shadow will end in disaster! Isaiah 30:1-3

Whenever God speaks to us directly or through a messenger, and His first word is “Woe,” you can be assured something not so good is following.

In this case, the Israelites were feeling pressure from a nearby nation on the verge of attacking them. Rather than trusting God, they run to Egypt for help. Imagine how God views this situation. Hundreds of years earlier, God delivered His people from Egypt through Moses. Now they are coming full circle and making alliance with the ones who held them in bondage.

Egypt was not the problem. The problem was not consulting God first. God calls this rebellion. We think we can make our own plans and then pray a token prayer or just assume God is blessing whatever we want to do. This is choosing my wisdom over God’s, no humility, and no acknowledging the power and protection of God. It is saying, I can do this without you.

We need to humble ourselves, or we risk rebellion leading to our shame and disaster.

Prayer: Father, you are my source of wisdom and everything I need to live a fulfilling life. Lead me in your paths. Be my strength and protection.