The historical backdrop for the prophecies concerning Egypt in chapters 30 and 31 lies in the attempt by the leaders of Yehuda to engage in the regional power struggle between two empires: Assyria to the north and Egypt to the south. Fearing the Assyrian threat, Yehuda’s officials planned to form an alliance with Egypt and seek its assistance against Assyria. Yeshayahu's opposition to this plan is unequivocal:

"Woe to the wayward sons, so say the Lord, who live by a plans that is not Mine" (30:1). While Yeshayahu also provides religious reasons for his opposition, this prophecy emphasizes primarily rational arguments, demonstrating that this decision is not only spiritually misguided but also strategically foolish: "That stronghold of Pharaoh will be your shame" (30:3). The people of Yehuda observe Egypt’s apparent strength and believe an alliance will protect them – but they are mistaken. The one who truly understands the course of history and can properly assess reality is God. Yet the people of Yehuda stubbornly refuse to listen and demand that the prophets stop confronting them: "Who set out to go down to Egypt without having sought My word... who say to the seers, ‘Do not see,’ to the men of the visions, ‘no visions for us uprightness'” (30:2, 10).

The sin of Yehuda lies in ignoring the word of the Lord, bringing about their own failure: "because you have despised this word to place your truth in oppression and strayed and leaned upon that, because of this, this sin shall be like the crack lengthening, ready to bring down your exalted wall, the breaking of which will come so very suddenly" (30:12–13). God desires to save Israel through direct salvation, but they insist on waging war through natural means – and so, that is what they receive: "For this is what the Lord God has said, the Holy One of Israel: In stillness and in peace shall you be saved; in quiet and in trust, your might will be, but you did not wish it. You say, ‘No, we will speed away on horses,’ and so you will flee. ‘We will mount the swiftest steeds,’ and so, swift will your pursuers" (30:15–16).

The prophetic challenge is a difficult one. The people of Yehuda believe they understand what is right through the lens of practical reality, and the demand to ignore everything the generals advise as wise, and to do the exact opposite, is a difficult test. Yet God promises that days will come when there will be change. In the future, the people of Yehuda will return to listening to the voice of God, will once again see His light, and they will be redeemed: "Your ears will hear a word behind you: 'This is the path: now walk right or left... The light of the moon will be like the light of the sun, and the sun's light seven times light of seven days, on the day when the Lord bandages the breaking of His people and heals up the gash from their beating" (30:21, 26).