I got to thinking the other morning as I was studying Isaiah about the desperate situation Hezekiah found himself in and the direction he chose to follow. Look at these two verses and let’s see if there isn’t something in there for the bride of Christ. There is a lot here and I can only scratch the surface.
Isa 30:6-7 6 The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them. 7 For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.
In an effort to form a protective alliance for Judah and Jerusalem he sent his princes and ambassadors loaded down with riches and treasures from the kingdom in order to buy an alliance with Egypt. And look where he sent them: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent. And on top of that, who was he trusting in?
Isa 30:7 For the Egyptians shall help in vain and to no purpose. Therefore I have called her .
He was putting the trust of Judah and Jerusalem in whom Isaiah calls Rahab-Hem-Shebeth; a reference to Rahab the sea monster who is identified with chaos, confusion, noise and powerlessness. One writer translated the name as “A big-mouth, a do-nothing.” However you view it, the name just represents the foolishness and futility of trusting in Egypt. Now, let’s quickly look at two key things the Lord pointed out to me as I was reading this chapter.
First, if you step back and look at this you will see a very important and key fact… this was the complete reversal of the exodus.
Deut 8:14-15 God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; 15 Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;
Hezekiah was turning away from God and going right back into the very thing God led Israel out of. He was forgetting God and risking the lives and treasures of the kingdom to Rahab-Hem-Shebeth; the very one from whom God had delivered them! Think about that and ask yourself the question; have you ever failed to wait on God, taken things in your own hand and gone back to Egypt; gone back to the world for help? Turned your back on the spiritual in favor of the natural? I have!
God delivered us out of the bondage of sin just as He delivered Israel out of the bondage of slavery. For us to turn back to the source of that sin in times of trouble and turn our back on God is to make the same mistake as Hezekiah. It’s to fail to see the vision God has given us and take the situation and solution into our own hands. What “Assyria” is standing in front of you that is causing you to fear? Who will you put your trust in? Who will you turn to? Will you stand and wait on God?
Isaiah’s word to Judah is one that we should keep in mind as the enemy seems to be closing in on us. Listen to what God had to say to Hezekiah:
Isa 30:1-3 “Woe to the rebellious children,” says the Lord, “Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin; 2 Who walk to go down to Egypt, And have not asked My advice, To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, And to trust in the shadow of Egypt! 3 Therefore the strength of Pharaoh Shall be your shame, And trust in the shadow of Egypt Shall be your humiliation.
Are we “rebellious children” who take counsel from someone other than God? Do we fear the situation so much that instead of waiting on the One who has promised to take care of us we “devise our own plans?” Do we try and strengthen ourselves by seeking answers in the world (the natural) instead of seeking wisdom from the Lord who has promised to give it to us if we just ask? Do we take the path of rebellious children or the path of the bride of Christ? If we choose the path of rebellion the consequences for us are the same as they were for Hezekiah; shame and humiliation!
Trusting in Rahab-Hem-Shebeth or in the Lord… not even a choice to consider!
17 responses to “Rahab-Hem-Shebeth… Or Not?”
I really needed this today…Thank You so much…
Dorthy, we all do. I’m glad it was an encouragement for you… blessings!
amen, jesus christ is the only way,our trust is in the lord
Yes, amen and amen!
Thank you for reminding us of how important it is for us to put our trust in God, and to keep trusting in Him at all times.
Wendy – I just discovered that the system is not notifying me when someone makes a post. So please forgive me for not responding all these weeks. I could not agree more that today, more than ever in my lifetime, it is so important to put “all” of our trust in the Lord… He is our rock and we can depend upon Him in this life and the one to come… blessings.
I’ve Definatley been guilty of not listening for Gods direction and instruction, yet I had been so fearful of loosing him I may have made bad decisions.. I fear the Lord and know his 2nd coming is soon…. I pray he will give me the abliity to endure the punishment at hand. I love him but need to be more obedient …. This world is so corrupt.
Autumn – I am so sorry for not responding but it appears that the system is not notifying me when comments are posted. You have already taken the most important step… you are lifting up your prayers and you have His Word that He hears you. I think there is nothing more pleasing to the Lord than when we cry out to Him in our hour of need… don’t fear His coming for He is coming for His own… us “own” who falter as we travel through this world… blessings
I love this! Just what I needed to hear today. Looking for the meaning of that name given and God gives me this…His mercy is new every morning. GREAT is His faithfulness too me.
Shannon – I just discovered that the system is not notifying me of comments. Sorry for my delay in responding. You are so right… GREAT is His faithfulness to me… Blessings
‘Out of My Way, USA!’ (Poem)
https://jwootenjr.blogspot.com/2019/07/out-of-my-way-usa-poem.html
Here’s a poem about military alliances ancient Israel had with powerful nations, God’s reactions to such, and the parallelism with our nation’s military alliance with modern Israel over many decades, typically couched as ‘blessing Israel’. As ancient Israel learned so long ago, God’s ways are NoT our ways, and He certainly did not consider her ole military alliances a blessing to Israel. In fact, they were a curse, both to Israel and to her allied nations! So what makes the U.S., and especially Church Americana think our military alliance with God’s people is ‘a blessing’?! I perceive it is not. Moreover, Ezekiel 38, which predicts and outlines the first War of Gog and Magog (Armageddon) clearly portrays God’s persistent vision for Israel’s defense. This chapter reveals no international military support for Israel in her time of desperate need. Jehovah God is Israel’s defense, and none other, even in her current secular state. That’s been His plan from the start, and He says He does not change.
Yes, Israel will ultimately stand alone with God as her sole support. But today, America is once again pro active in supporting Israel. There will come a time, however, when even her strongest supporters will abandon her as part of God’s plan to return her to her first love. Blessings J.
I thank God for allowing me to come across this teaching, this was just what I needed. This also brings to light the scripture that says put your trust in God and not man. This passage was truly a Blessing to me. Thank you. Blessings 🙏🙏🙏🙏
So sorry that somehow I missed your comment … you are spot on. It’s all about Jesus, the only One we can fully trust. Blessings!
I so identify with the revelation within the name Rahab-Hem-Shebeth. Like a blueprint, in my youth I chose to build life upon my ‘weak strength’ instead of yielding to God and promptings of His Holy Spirit. Praises to the Almighty for convicting the conscience of those who belong to Him … glory to God in Christ! AMEN ~A Man w the Eternal Name~
YESHUA 🤗 🙏 🙏 🙏
I came across this because I wanted to know what Rahab Hem Shabet meant. I came across your writings. I have a real question. If I have gone to ” Egypt,” for strength or returned there, Is there any way possible I can correctly repent and get God to give me mercy and grace and do ” it,” over ? The wrong steps I may have taken? I always feel that God is leaving me here in the wilderness permanently because nothing has changed since I went back to Egypt. I want songs of deliverance to surround me and be relaxed from this prison. I don’t know how to get God to seriously take me serious. Thanks
The Lord is always there to hear us when we repent and come back in agreement with Him. If you have made the Lord your Saviour by accepting His sacrifice for you then you have been redeemed and there is always an open door to His forgiveness. The Holy Spirit is the one who puts conviction in our heart. The very nature of your question speaks to your heart’s desire for forgiveness. Consider what the apostle John wrote to address exactly where you are …
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Jesus is waiting with open arms to forgive you and restore your loving relationship with Him … do not let Satan tell you otherwise. Many blessings my sister … God is far more loving than we can ever imagine.