"Their Strength Is To Sit Still"

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Last Updated on May 24, 2015, by eNotes Editorial. Word Count: 176

Context: Isaiah, as prophet of the Almighty, announces his vision of "Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah." He declares the Lord's displeasure with the wickedness of His chosen people and urges obedience to the will of the Lord. Prophesying the destruction and ultimate deliverance of Jerusalem, Isaiah condemns the people for attempting to form an alliance with Egypt against the invading Assyrians. Such an alliance, according to the prophet, does not fit into God's plan and will fail because the people trust the Egyptians and not God:

Woe to the rebellious children, saith the Lord, . . .
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!
Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.
For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.

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