Introduction to Part Four of the Book of Isaiah

Part Four of the book of Isaiah presents a series of oracles that pronounce woes against Judah for depending on Egypt for protection against Assyria. So these oracles come from the time of the first great moment of decision that the book of Isaiah addresses, the Assyrian crisis. (See the discussion in the introduction to the book of Isaiah.) There are six oracles, but the last one begins with an implied double “woe,” which poetically suggests a total of the expected seven. The overall message of this part of the book is that the Judeans are foolish and disobedient to depend on the Egyptians, mere humans, for protection. They should depend instead on Yahweh, the great and powerful God who rules the entire world. 1. A woe against the drunken leaders of Samaria and Jerusalem (28:1–29) 2. A woe against Jerusalem, which an enemy army will besiege (29:1–14) 3. A woe against those who try to hide their plans from Yahweh (29:15–24) 4. A woe against the Judeans for rebelling against Yahweh (30:1–33) 5. A woe against the Judeans for going to Egypt for help (31:1–32:20) 6. A woe against the Assyrians and a promise of help to Judah (33:1–24)