John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 30:16

"but ye said, No, for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift." — Isaiah 30:16 (ASV)

We will flee on horses; therefore shall you flee. He shows how they refused to wait calmly for the salvation of the Lord, for they chose instead to “flee” to the Egyptians. This is a very beautiful instance of antanaclasis (a throwing back of an expression), by which he makes their words, so full of confidence, recoil on themselves. In the first of these clauses, “to flee” means “to escape,” and in the second it means “to take flight.” The Jews said that it would be better for them if they adopted timely measures for guarding against the danger that was close at hand and, consequently, that they would best provide for their safety by calling for the aid of the Egyptians. “You shall certainly flee,” says Isaiah, “not to find a place of refuge, but to turn your back and to be pursued by horses swifter than yours.”

We now perceive more clearly the fault that Isaiah describes. By the distinct reply, No, he shows how obstinately they refused to comply with the advice given to them by the prophets and instead chose to provide for their safety in another manner. Thus, by despising God, they gave preference to a groundless appearance of safety, which they had allowed themselves to imagine. Therefore, we ought to turn our minds away from looking at present appearances and outward assistance, so that they may be wholly fixed on God; for it is only when we are destitute of outward aid that we rely fully on him. It is lawful for us to use the things of this world for our assistance, but we completely abuse them by our wickedness in forsaking God.

It is also proper to observe how unhappy the end is for those who rely more on outward aids than on God, for everything must be unsuccessful and contrary to their expectation. As we see, these men, in their attempts to find safety, are forced to undertake a flight that is highly disgraceful and from which they obtain no advantage.

At first, there is some appearance of prosperity; but its only effect is that the change of condition makes the final result more bitter and distressing. And yet, Isaiah does not affirm that they will receive no assistance from Egypt but forewarns them that the Lord will find new methods of thwarting that assistance, so that they will not be able to escape his hand. For, although all men agree together, yet they will not succeed in opposition to God and his purposes.