06 -Appendix 1 Calvin on the Passage

Calvin, in his Commentary on Isaiah, has left us an excellent
exposition and application of Isaiah 30:1-18. This Appendix
comprises an annotated selection from that work.
Judah had sinned. Calvin saw two strands to God‟s exposure
of Judah‟s sin:
First, it is no light offence, but wicked obstinacy, [for the
people of Israel] to disregard and even despise God‟s
government, and follow their own inclinations. [Moreover,]
God had strictly forbidden [Israel] to enter into any alliance
or league with the Egyptians (Ex. 13:17; Deut. 17:16).
There were chiefly two causes of this prohibition. One was
general, and related to alliances and leagues with other
nations; for God did not wish that his people should be
corrupted by the superstitions of the Gentiles (Ex. 23:32;
34:15; Deut. 7:2).