Study Desk

For though his power extends to Zoan and his officials have arrived in Hanes,

This message came to me concerning the animals in the Negev: The caravan moves slowly across the terrible desert to Egypt— donkeys weighed down with riches and camels loaded with treasure— all to pay for Egypt's protection. They travel through the wilderness, a place of lionesses and lions, a place where vipers and poisonous snakes live. All this, and Egypt will give you nothing in return.

You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt. They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.' But the only swiftness you are going to see is the swiftness of your enemies chasing you!

So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.

O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will surely respond to the sound of your cries.

Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes.

Then the Lord will bless you with rain at planting time. There will be wonderful harvests and plenty of pastureland for your livestock.

His hot breath pours out like a flood up to the neck of his enemies. He will sift out the proud nations for destruction. He will bridle them and lead them away to ruin.

Topheth—the place of burning— has long been ready for the Assyrian king; the pyre is piled high with wood. The breath of the Lord , like fire from a volcano, will set it ablaze.

What sorrow awaits those who look to Egypt for help, trusting their horses, chariots, and charioteers and depending on the strength of human armies instead of looking to the Lord , the Holy One of Israel.

For these Egyptians are mere humans, not God! Their horses are puny flesh, not mighty spirits! When the Lord raises his fist against them, those who help will stumble, and those being helped will fall. They will all fall down and die together.

For fools speak foolishness and make evil plans. They practice ungodliness and spread false teachings about the Lord . They deprive the hungry of food and give no water to the thirsty.

In a short time—just a little more than a year— you careless ones will suddenly begin to care. For your fruit crops will fail, and the harvest will never take place.

Beat your breasts in sorrow for your bountiful farms and your fruitful grapevines.

For your land will be overgrown with thorns and briers. Your joyful homes and happy towns will be gone.

But Lord , be merciful to us, for we have waited for you. Be our strong arm each day and our salvation in times of trouble.

Your roads are deserted; no one travels them anymore. The Assyrians have broken their peace treaty and care nothing for the promises they made before witnesses. They have no respect for anyone.

For the Lord is our judge, our lawgiver, and our king. He will care for us and save us.

The people of Israel will no longer say, "We are sick and helpless," for the Lord will forgive their sins.

For the Lord is enraged against the nations. His fury is against all their armies. He will completely destroy them, dooming them to slaughter.