IV.
PROPHETIC DISCOURSES CONCERNING THE RELATION OF JUDAH WITH EGYPT AND ASSYRIA ( ch. 28-35 ).A. A SERIES OF SIX WOES (ch. 28-33)
1. Woe to the drunken, scoffing politicians of Samaria and Judah (ch. 28).
a. Warning to the proud drunkards of Ephraim (vs. 1-6).
b. Warning to the scoffing politicians of Jerusalem (vs. 7-22).
Rebuked, but not impressed – a drunken leer (vs. 7-10).
The prophet’s reply: Assyria, of unknown speech (vs. 11-13).
Addresses rulers of Jerusalem, their covenant with death (vs. 14-22).
c. A parable of comfort: Jehovah’s providential dealing with his people – his judgement has purpose (vs. 23-29).
2. Woe to the formalists in religion (ch. 29:1-14).
(Ariel: the "Lion of God" – the altar-hearth of God, i.e., Jerusalem, the sacrificial center of Israel’s worship." – Robinson)
3. Woe to those who hide their plans from God (vs. 15-24).
4. Woe to the pro-Egypt party (ch. 30)
a. Denunciation of the alliance with Egypt (vs. 1-17).
b. A brilliant picture of the Messianic age (vs. 18-26).
c. Jehovah’s vengeance upon the Assyrians (vs. 27-33).
5. Woe to those who trust in horses and chariots (ch. 31-32).
a. The folly of relying on Egypt or Assyria. God will determine Jerusalem’s destiny (ch. 31).
b. New era for Judah, sifted and purified. The reign of the righteous king (ch. 32:1-7).
c. But at present, SIN. Rebuke of the women (vs 9-15).
d. Blessings in the distant future – Messianic (vs. 16-20).
6. Woe to the Assyrian destroyer (ch. 33).
a. Judgment upon the oppressor, Assyria (vs. 1-16).
General (vs. 1-6).
Particulars (7-16).
b. Glory of Jehovah’s reign – The Messianic Age (vs. 17-24).
B. CONTRAST THE DESTINY OF EDOM AND ISRAEL (ch. 34-35).
1. Terrors of an impending world judgment upon the nations (vs. 34:1-4).
2. Desolation and destruction of Edom – falls, never to rise (vs. 5-17).
3. Exaltation and glory of Israel seen in contrast (ch. 35).
