Relying on Egyptian Assistance

נמצאו 3 תוצאות חיפוש

1. "He Is Faithful With Holy Ones"

   Haftarot: Vayetzeh

   Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein

   The prophet speaks out against the nation's lack of loyalty, and uses Yaakov as an example of complete loyalty to God.

2. Yeshayahu 29-30

   Rabbi David Sabato

   The first section of perek 29 laments Yerushalayim: it describes the debased state of the city and then shifts to a description of the enemy’s sudden defeat. It is suggested that this prophecy refers to the defeat of Sancherev’s army at Yerushalayim’s gates, an event that appears multiple times throughout the book of Yeshayahu. The second half of the perek (9-14) describes the blindness of the nation’s leaders and prophets. The perek concludes with words of rebuke addressing sinners who believe that God is ignorant of their sins.

   The prophecies in perakim 30 and 31 deal with the fear of an Assyrian attack on Yehuda and Yerushalayim during the reign of Chizkiyahu. Yeshayahu, who strongly opposed dependence on Egyptian aid during the reign of Achaz (perek 7), prophesies Egypt’s failure and urges the officers of Yehuda to trust in God and bury their worries regarding the Assyrians (1-11). However, like Achaz, the officers of Yehuda refuse to listen to Yeshayahu. This perek describes the resulting crisis (12-18) which will ultimately transform into a miraculous salvation, a seeming reference to the fall of Sancherev (19-33).

3. Tzidkiyahu

   Part 2

   Dr. Tova Ganzel

   Yehezkel continues his criticism of Tzidkiyahu by means of a parable. By relying on the king of Egypt to aid him and rebelling against Nevukhadnetzar, Tzidkiyahu decreed his own death in Babylonia. This violation was a grave breach of trust.  Yehezkel goes further by comparing the violation of the covenant with Nevukhadnetzar to violation of the covenant with God.

   This conclusion to the prophecy indicates that the potential for renewal of the monarchy in Israel rests with Yehoyakhin, who is in exile. This conclusion once again emphasizes the unique status of Yehoyakhin in Sefer Yehezkel; and, indeed, it is Zerubavel – the grandson of Yehoyakhin – who will eventually lead the nation at the start of the Second Temple period.