Oh You Obstinate Nation: It has made sense to read much of chapters 28–29 against the background of Judean assertion of independence from Assyria and alliance with Egypt in the latter part of Isaiah’s ministry, but only in chapter 30 does reference to Egypt become explicit. While the setting might be the independence movement during the reign of Sargon in 713–711 B.C., alluded to in passages such as 14:28–32, we have separate reference to alliance with Egypt in the context of the similar events of 705–701 B.C. during the reign of Sennacherib (see the stories in chs. 36–37). Sennacherib has set out with his army to put his rebellious subjects in their place, and Hezekiah is involved in a flurry of diplomatic activity.

30:1–7 There is nothing inherently wrong with relying on the help of other…