Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!
How terrible it will be for those who go to Egypt for help! They depend on horses and trust in chariots because there are so many of them, and they rely on cavalry because they are so powerful. But they don't look to the Holy One of Israel for help, and they don't seek the LORD!
The writer is warning against trusting in military power and foreign alliances instead of trusting in God for protection and help.
📚 Historical Context
This prophecy was given during a time when the kingdom of Judah was threatened by the Assyrian Empire. Many of Judah's leaders wanted to form an alliance with Egypt, which had a powerful military with horses and chariots that Israel lacked. However, Isaiah consistently warned against trusting in political alliances rather than relying on God's protection.
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