Isaiah 31
Isaiah 31 warns Israel against relying on Egypt for help rather than trusting in the Lord. The chapter highlights the futility of depending on human strength and power, calling the people to put their faith in God. It concludes with a promise of deliverance for those who trust in the Lord and a declaration of God's ultimate power over His enemies.
Isaiah 31:1 (NKJV)
1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,
And rely on horses,
Who trust in chariots because they are many,
And in horsemen because they are very strong,
But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel,
Nor seek the Lord!
The Israelites are warned about placing their trust in Egypt's military strength—horses and chariots—instead of turning to the Lord for deliverance. The passage emphasizes that numbers and strength mean nothing without God's guidance. The people are rebuked for failing to seek the Holy One of Israel, choosing human solutions over divine intervention.
Isaiah 31:2 (NKJV)
2 Yet He also is wise and will bring disaster,
And will not call back His words,
But will arise against the house of evildoers,
And against the help of those who work iniquity.
God is described as wise and unchanging in His decisions. Despite Israel’s attempts to rely on Egypt, God’s judgment is inevitable. He will act against the evildoers, including those in Israel who are corrupt, and those who offer help in sinful ways. This shows that no earthly alliance can prevent God’s plans from being fulfilled.
Isaiah 31:3 (NKJV)
3 Now the Egyptians are men, and not God;
And their horses are flesh, and not spirit.
When the Lord stretches out His hand,
Both he who helps will fall,
And he who is helped will fall down;
They all will perish together.
This verse reminds the Israelites that the Egyptians, despite their power, are only human, while God is divine. Egypt’s horses, though strong, are made of flesh and cannot compare to the power of the Spirit. When God moves in judgment, both Egypt and those relying on them will be defeated. Trusting in human strength will lead to destruction for all involved.
Isaiah 31:4-5 (NKJV)
4 For thus the Lord has spoken to me:
“As a lion roars,
And a young lion over his prey
(When a multitude of shepherds is summoned against him,
He will not be afraid of their voice
Nor be disturbed by their noise),
So the Lord of hosts will come down
To fight for Mount Zion and for its hill.
5 Like birds flying about,
So will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem.
Defending, He will also deliver it;
Passing over, He will preserve it.”
God’s defense of Jerusalem is compared to a lion fearlessly guarding its prey, undeterred by opposition. Just as a lion is not intimidated by shepherds, so the Lord will not be deterred by the enemies of Zion. The Lord is also likened to birds hovering over their nest, symbolizing His constant protection. He will defend, deliver, and preserve Jerusalem, showing His unwavering commitment to His people.
Isaiah 31:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Return to Him against whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.
7 For in that day every man shall throw away his idols of silver and his idols of gold—sin, which your own hands have made for yourselves.
The people of Israel are called to repentance, to turn back to the Lord after their rebellion. The reference to throwing away idols signifies a future time when the Israelites will abandon the false gods they had created. This repentance will be a necessary step toward healing and restoration in their relationship with God.
Isaiah 31:8 (NKJV)
8 “Then Assyria shall fall by a sword not of man,
And a sword not of mankind shall devour him.
But he shall flee from the sword,
And his young men shall become forced labor.
God promises that Assyria, the oppressive power of the time, will fall, not by human might, but by divine intervention. This suggests a supernatural defeat of Assyria’s forces. The Assyrian soldiers, once proud and powerful, will flee in fear, and their strength will crumble, showing the futility of resisting God’s will.
Isaiah 31:9 (NKJV)
9 He shall cross over to his stronghold for fear,
And his princes shall be afraid of the banner,”
Says the Lord,
Whose fire is in Zion
And whose furnace is in Jerusalem.
The final verse depicts the Assyrian army retreating in terror to its stronghold, recognizing the futility of their efforts. The princes, or leaders, will be afraid of God’s banner—symbolizing His authority and presence. The “fire” in Zion and “furnace” in Jerusalem represent God’s protective and purifying presence among His people. This ending reassures Israel that God’s presence is a consuming force that protects them and destroys their enemies.