See, you trust in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; where on if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.
Isaiah 20:5,6 And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory…
Isaiah 30:1-7 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: …
Isaiah 31:3 Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.
that splintered reed of a staff
The imagery of a "splintered reed" suggests something unreliable and fragile. Reeds were common in Egypt, often used metaphorically to describe weakness (2 Kings 18:21). This metaphor highlights the futility of relying on Egypt, as it cannot provide the support Judah seeks. The Bible frequently uses such imagery to contrast human frailty with divine strength (Isaiah 40:6-8).
that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it
This phrase emphasizes the danger and harm that come from relying on Egypt. Instead of providing support, Egypt would cause injury, symbolizing betrayal and failure. This serves as a warning against alliances that seem beneficial but ultimately lead to downfall. The Bible often illustrates the consequences of misplaced trust (Jeremiah 17:5-6).
Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him
Pharaoh represents the leadership and power of Egypt, which was seen as a potential ally against Assyria. However, the historical context shows that Egypt was unable to deliver on its promises, as seen in the failed military support during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem. This phrase underscores the theme of divine sovereignty, where God alone is the true source of security and salvation (Isaiah 31:1-3).
- The opening command pulls Judah’s leaders into the present moment, urging them to face facts rather than cling to wishful thinking.
- Similar divine wake-up calls appear in Psalm 46:8, “Come, see the works of the LORD,” and in Revelation 3:18, where Jesus counsels the church to “buy from Me gold refined by fire.”
- God graciously confronts us before we drift too far, reminding us that spiritual clarity begins with an honest look at reality.
- Judah had entered alliances with Egypt for military backing (2 Kings 18:21).
- Depending on a pagan nation contradicted God’s repeated warnings in passages like Isaiah 30:1-3: “Woe to the rebellious children… who set out to go down to Egypt without consulting Me.”
- The lesson is timeless: any confidence placed in human power over God’s promises is misplaced (Proverbs 3:5-6).
- A reed looks like a staff but lacks strength; once splintered it is worse than useless.
- God had already pictured Egypt this way in Ezekiel 29:6-7, emphasizing its total unreliability.
- Worldly resources often appear sturdy until pressure reveals their fragility (Jeremiah 17:5).
- Trusting Egypt would not merely disappoint Judah; it would wound them. False hopes injure the very people who relied on them (Psalm 146:3-4).
- When a believer leans on anything other than the Lord, the end result is pain, not support (Galatians 6:7-8).
- Egypt’s king embodies the nation’s impotence. History confirms that Pharaoh offered Judah no real help when Assyria advanced (Isaiah 37:9-11).
- God alone stands as an unfailing refuge (Psalm 46:1); any substitute, however imposing, will fail every generation that leans on it (Hebrews 13:8).
Isaiah 36:6 exposes the folly of seeking security apart from the Lord. Egypt, once admired, is a broken stick that not only collapses but wounds. Real safety rests in the faithful character of God, who calls His people to see clearly, reject hollow alliances, and place unwavering trust in Him alone.
Verse 6. - This broken reed; rather, as in 2 Kings 18:21, this bruised reed (comp. Isaiah 42:3). A reed may be "bruised," and wholly untrustworthy as a support, while it appears sound. A "broken" reed no one would lean on. Egypt. There had been times when Egypt was a strong power, feared and respected by her neighbours, and a terror even to Assyria. But these times were long past. For the last fifty years the country had been divided against itself (see the comment on Isaiah 19:2), split up into a number of petty principalities, Recently the neighbouring kingdom of Ethiopia had claimed and exercised a species of sovereignty over the entire Nile valley, while allowing tributary princes to govern different portions of it. Of these princes the most important at the time of Rabshakeh's embassy seems to have been Shabatok, who reigned in Memphis, probably from B.C. 712 to B.C. 698. Egypt is likened to a "bruised reed" on account of her untrustworthincss. "So" (Sabaco) had given no substantial help to Hashes. Shabatok was little likely to imperil himself in order to assist Hezekiah. Even Tirhakah would probably avoid, as long as he could, a conflict with the full power of Assyria. Pharaoh, King of Egypt. Sennacherib uses the generic term, "Pharaoh," instead of mentioning any of the petty princes by name, because he means to speak generally. The King of Egypt, under present circumstances, whoever he may be, is no better than a bruised reed. In his own inscriptions, Sennacherib about this time uses the expression, "the kings of Egypt" ('Eponym Canon,' p. 133, 1.47).