Isaiah 31NLT
Books
All books

Isaiah31

New Living Translation

1What sorrow awaits those who look to Egypt for help, trusting their horses, chariots, and charioteers and depending on the strength of human armies instead of looking to the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.

2In his wisdom, the Lord will send great disaster; he will not change his mind. He will rise against the wicked and against their helpers.

3For these Egyptians are mere humans, not God! Their horses are puny flesh, not mighty spirits! When the Lord raises his fist against them, those who help will stumble, and those being helped will fall. They will all fall down and die together.

4But this is what the Lord has told me: “When a strong young lion stands growling over a sheep it has killed, it is not frightened by the shouts and noise of a whole crowd of shepherds. In the same way, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will come down and fight on Mount Zion.

5The Lord of Heaven’s Armies will hover over Jerusalem and protect it like a bird protecting its nest. He will defend and save the city; he will pass over it and rescue it.”

6Though you are such wicked rebels, my people, come and return to the Lord.

7I know the glorious day will come when each of you will throw away the gold idols and silver images your sinful hands have made.

8“The Assyrians will be destroyed, but not by the swords of men. The sword of God will strike them, and they will panic and flee. The strong young Assyrians will be taken away as captives.

9Even the strongest will quake with terror, and princes will flee when they see your battle flags,” says the Lord, whose fire burns in Zion, whose flame blazes from Jerusalem.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Isaiah 31.

Full AI study →

Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The sin and folly of seeking help from Egypt. (1-5). God's care for Jerusalem. (6-9).

vv1-5

God will oppose the help sought from workers of iniquity. Sinners may be convicted of folly by plain and self-evident truths, which they cannot deny, but will not believe. There is no escaping the judgments of God; and evil pursues sinners. The Lord of hosts will come down to fight for Mount Zion. The Lion of the tribe of Judah will appear for the defence of his church. And as birds hovering over their young ones to protect them, with such compassion and affection will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem. He will so defend it, as to secure its safety.

vv6-9

They have been backsliding children, yet children; let them return, and their backslidings shall be healed, though they have sunk deep into misery, and cannot easily recover. Many make an idol of their silver and gold, and by the love of that are drawn from God; but those who turn to God, will be ready to part with it. Then, when they have cast away their idols, shall the Assyrian fall by the sword of an angel, who strikes more strongly than a mighty man, yet more secretly than a mean man. God can make the stoutest heart to tremble. But if we keep up the fire of holy love and devotion in our hearts and houses, we may depend upon God to protect us and them.

Cross References

Isaiah 31

Explicit prohibition against going down to Egypt to multiply horses.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v2Numbers 23:19thematic

Contrast of human wisdom with God who does not lie or 'call back his words'.

Supported by JFB

v5Exodus 12:27allusion

Verb for 'passing over' (pesach) directly echoes the sparing of Israel at Passover.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v1Psalms 20:7thematic

Direct thematic parallel: trusting in chariots and horses versus the name of God.

Supported by JFB

v1Isaiah 30:1-7thematic

The immediately preceding context condemning the embassy to Egypt for military alliance.

Supported by John Calvin

v3Psalms 146:3-5thematic

Contrasts trusting in mortal princes (flesh) with trusting in the Lord.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v4Hosea 11:10thematic

Parallels the roaring lion metaphor representing God's powerful, dramatic intervention.

Supported by JFB

The image of birds hovering to protect their young matches the Lord protecting Jerusalem.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v8Isaiah 37:36fulfillment

The historical destruction of Sennacherib's army by the angel (not human sword).

Supported by Matthew Poole

v11 Kings 10:28thematic

Historical background showing Egypt as the primary ancient source for horses.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v3Psalms 56:4thematic

Expresses trust in God over fear of what mortal 'flesh' can do.

Supported by JFB

Illustrates gold and silver idols made 'unto you for a sin'.

Supported by JFB

v9Isaiah 29:1allusion

Connects Jerusalem as the altar-hearth ('furnace') with the name 'Ariel'.

Supported by JFB

v9Isaiah 37:37fulfillment

Records the immediate retreat of Sennacherib back to Nineveh after the plague.

Supported by JFB