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.
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.
Key Words
הוֹי: oh!
יָרַד: to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications)
מִצְרַיִם: Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt
עֶזְרָה: aid
שָׁעַן: to support one's self
עַל: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
סוּס: a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight)
בָּטַח: figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
רֶכֶב: a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e. the upper millstone
כִּי: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Isaiah 31Explicit prohibition against going down to Egypt to multiply horses.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Contrast of human wisdom with God who does not lie or 'call back his words'.
Supported by JFB
Verb for 'passing over' (pesach) directly echoes the sparing of Israel at Passover.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct thematic parallel: trusting in chariots and horses versus the name of God.
Supported by JFB
The immediately preceding context condemning the embassy to Egypt for military alliance.
Supported by John Calvin
Contrasts trusting in mortal princes (flesh) with trusting in the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
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
The historical destruction of Sennacherib's army by the angel (not human sword).
Supported by Matthew Poole
Historical background showing Egypt as the primary ancient source for horses.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
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
Connects Jerusalem as the altar-hearth ('furnace') with the name 'Ariel'.
Supported by JFB
Records the immediate retreat of Sennacherib back to Nineveh after the plague.
Supported by JFB