We  must  suppose   the  negotiations   with  Egypt  to
have  taken  for  the  moment  a  favourable  turn,  and  the


xxxi.]  THREE   TRUTHS  ABOUT  GOD,  239


Statesmen  who  advocated  them  to  be  congratulating  them-
selves upon  some  consequent  addition  to  the  fighting
strength  of  Judah.  They  could  point  to  many  chariots
and  a  strong  body  of  cavalry  in  proof  of  their  own
wisdom  and  refutation  of  the  prophet's  maxim,  In
quietness  and  in  confidence  shall  be  your  strength;  in
returning  and  rest  shall  ye  be  saved,

Isaiah  simply  answers  their  self-congratulation  with
the  utterance  of  a  new  Woe,  and  it  is  in  this  that
the  first  of  the  three  extraordinary  descriptions  of
God  is  placed.  IVoe  unto  them  that  go  down  to  Egypt
for  help ;  upon  horses  do  they  stay,  and  trust  in  chariots
because  they  are  many,  and  in  horsemen  because  they
are  very  strong :  but  they  look  not  unto  the  Holy  One  of
Israel^  and  Jehovah  they  do  not  seek.  Yet  He  also  is  wise.
You  have  been  clever  and  successful,  but  have  you
forgotten  that  God  also  is  zvise,  that  He  too  has  His
policy,  and  acts  reasonably  and  consistently  ?  You
think  you  have  been  making  history;  but  God  also
works  in  history,  and  surely,  to  put  it  on  the  lowest
ground,  with  as  much  cleverness  and  persistence  as
you  do.  Yet  He  also,  is  wise,  and  will  bring  evil,  and
will  not  call  back  His  words,  but  will  arise  against
the  house  of  the  evil-doers,  and  against  the  help  of  them
that  work  iniquity.
