Egyptian Alliance Plans Add Shame rather than Shelter

Rebellious children carry treasure south to buy Pharaoh's shade

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: that walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.

For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes. They were all ashamed of a people that could not profit them, nor be an help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach. The caravan is policy without asking. Egypt's shadow is the chosen covering. The unit is Judah's failed alliance, not nationalism, not war propaganda, and not a map of Egypt onto a living people.

Beasts pile gifts through a hard land toward a helper called Rahab who sits still

The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them. For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.

Wealth travels a dangerous road to an idle helper. Rahab-who-sits-still names Egypt as a rumor of power that does not save. Reported imperial violence is not an ethical model, and present-enemy mapping is not authorized.