Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord!
Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity.
Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.
For thus hath the Lord spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.
As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.
Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.
For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin.
Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited.
And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the Lord, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.
Isaiah 31:1-3
Here, I. The prophet reproves those who distrusted God and depended upon Egypt for help, Isaiah 31:1. This is a continuation of the reproof in the foregoing chapters. Judah was now in distress, and threatened by the army of the Assyrians; instead of applying to God by repentance and prayer, and waiting on him in a way of duty, they sent ambassadors to Egypt, to court the Egyptians into an alliance with them, and to hire them to assist them with a good body of horse. This the prophet here condemns, 1. As a foolish thing: Woe to those that go down to Egypt for help! It was like going down hill, a dangerous step. "Alas for them! They are undone; their counsels are baffled, and they will be disappointed." Note, Those deserve a woe that forsake God and trust to an arm of flesh. It is a great piece of folly to lean on a broken reed, when we have the rock of ages to rely upon. 2. As a sinful thing, because it was a practical disbelief of God's all-sufficiency and a contempt of his promise. They stay on horses and chariots; they depend upon them, and build their hopes upon them. See how Carnal security is the fruit of infidelity. They stay on horses because they are strong, and on chariots because they are many; they trust to the number and might of their forces, forgetting that the race is not always to the swift nor the battle to the strong. They think themselves safe if they have but a good stable of horses and a great train of chariots. But they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord. This was the great evil of their sin that they did not consult God, did not ask counsel at his mouth, did not desire to know what his will was and what he would advise them to do in this exigency. They took their measures without him, and then never sought him afterwards, either to give success to their projects or to pardon their presumption. Note, It is a very bad sign when, in times of distress and danger, we restrain prayer before God, and do not seek him, but lean to our own understanding. 3. He foretels that it should prove to no purpose, but they should be disappointed in their expectations from Egypt: "Now the Egyptians are men, and not God. They are flesh, and not spirit; they are frail and mortal, and their power is limited; they are not omnipotent and omnipresent as God is." It is true of all creatures that they are but men, and not God; it is therefore our wisdom to make God our confidence, and not man, not princes, Psalms 118:8, Psalms 118:9; Psalms 146:3. And, because they are flesh, and not spirit, they are foolish, and short-sighted, and fickle, and cannot be depended upon. We are therefore cautioned not to trust in the son of man, nor make flesh our arm, Jeremiah 17:5. When the Lord shall stretch out his hand (as he will certainly do in anger against those that forsake him), both he that helps shall fall, and he that is helped shall fall down, and they shall all fail together. The Egyptians shall not be able to give them any real assistance, and the Jews shall bring ruin upon themselves by seeking to them for it. Note, Those that associate with God's enemies cannot expect to prosper; for, if God stretch out his hand against them, they must fall, and all that trust in them shall fall with them.
Isaiah 31:4-9
The prophet, having reproved those that distrusted God, here encourages those that trusted in him.
I. He assures them of God's protection, and that he would himself undertake to defend Jerusalem from the Assyrians (Isaiah 31:4, Isaiah 31:5): Thus has the Lord spoken unto me (and he is one that will not lie, nor can he be deceived), Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey. See how the prophet endeavours to raise their faith by representing to them, 1. The courage and boldness of their God. He is like a lion roaring on his prey, that is not, in the least, terrified at the shouting of a multitude of shepherds that come out against him to drive him from his prey. The great men of the earth are a terror to those that are about them, but the great God is in no terror of any. Let the multitude of the enemies of God and his church be never so great, let their power and malice be never so threatening, they cannot daunt him, nor make him in the least to flinch from his gracious purposes concerning his people. 2. The compassion and tenderness of their God. As a roaring lion, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; but, as an eagle, he will protect it with great care and tenderness: As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem. The comparison is elegant. As the parent birds hover over their young to protect them, flying about them, to keep off those that would do them hurt, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem, keep it under his wings, and interpose himself between it and the enemy. Thus he will defend it, preserve it, and pass over it. He will defend it by preserving it, and, in preserving it, he will pass over it, that is, he will spare it, as he did when he passed over the houses of the Israelites when he slew the first-born of the Egyptians. Note, God's protection is the preservation of his people.
II. He calls them to repentance, as the best way of preparing themselves for that protection, Isaiah 31:6, Isaiah 31:7. God was about to appear for them; now he expects that they should return to him. Consider, 1. The sinfulness and folly of their departure from God: "Return unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted." Note, (1.) In every sin we revolt from God; we turn our back upon him whom we ought to cleave to. (2.) The revolts of the children of Israel have been deep revolts, and there has been a great deal of aggravation in them. They are children, and should have been faithful; they are Israel, set apart to God, and deeply obliged to him; yet they revolted, and revolted deeply. 2. The necessity and duty of their return to God. They must return from their idolatries, those depths of iniquity from which they had deeply revolted. They must return to the worship of God, and the practice of serious godliness; and then God would return to them in mercy. 3. The evidence and effect of their repentance and reformation: In that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold. They must part with their sins, those idols which their hearts had been deeply revolted to, and which had alienated them from God. It is not enough to cease from the external acts of idolatry, but we must cast away the idols themselves with indignation and contempt, and a resolution never to harbor them any more. Note, A thorough reformation will be the fruit and evidence of a sincere repentance. If we return to God, we must cast away our idols.
III. He foretels the ruin of the Assyrian army, which would be such as would redound to the honour of God and the comfort of his people, Isaiah 31:8, Isaiah 31:9. It is here foretold, 1. That the Assyrian army should be routed, and forced to retire with shame. The Assyrian shall fall with the sword, not of a mighty man, nor shall the sword of a mean man devour him; it shall be done immediately by the hand of God, and in such a way as shall magnify his power. They shall fall, not by the sword of man, but by the sword of an angel. An angel slew a vast number of them in one night, 2 Kings 19:35. 2. That their king should flee away in a fright, and his officers should be ashamed of the disappointment they had met with, and desert him. He shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, shall quit the siege of Jerusalem, and think himself safe if he can but get home; and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, afraid of the standard which God shall lift up against them, by which he will manifest his displeasure. 3. That all this shall be a demonstration of God's power and a proof of his favour to his people: Whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem. God dwells in Zion, and has his fire in Jerusalem, that is, his altar there, on which the fire was always burning. This intimates that God's worship should be maintained in Jerusalem, and that God would protect those that adhered to it. Jerusalem was his furnace, where he refined his people, as silver is refined in the furnace, and separated the dross from the silver. It was the place of his residence, and therefore he would take care of it, and not suffer it to be insulted. Note, The church is God's Zion, and in it he has a fire, the fire of his word and ordinances, and the fire of his Spirit, by which it is purified.
Isaiah 31 addresses Judah's misguided reliance on Egypt for protection against the looming threat of Assyria. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of where true security lies: not in earthly alliances, but in the unwavering faithfulness of God. The prophet Isaiah delivers both a stern warning and a comforting promise, urging the people to turn away from their misplaced trust and return to the Lord.
A Woe to Misplaced Trust (Isaiah 31:1-3)
Isaiah begins with a "woe" – a pronouncement of judgment – against those who seek help from Egypt (Isaiah 31:1). The people are criticized for depending on horses and chariots, symbols of military might, rather than looking to the "Holy One of Israel" for deliverance. This dependence on Egypt is portrayed as both foolish and sinful. It is foolish because Egypt is "men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit" (Isaiah 31:3). Their power is limited, their wisdom flawed. It is sinful because it demonstrates a lack of trust in God's ability to protect His people. They "do not seek the LORD" (Isaiah 31:1). This deliberate choice to ignore God's provision is at the heart of their error. As Tony Evans aptly points out, this plan was "a deliberate attempt to avoid obeying God and trusting in his deliverance." The consequences of this misplaced trust are dire. Isaiah warns that when the Lord stretches out His hand in judgment, "both he that helps shall fall, and he that is helped shall fall down, and they all shall fail together" (Isaiah 31:3). The alliance with Egypt will not bring safety but shared destruction.
God's Promise of Protection (Isaiah 31:4-5)
In contrast to the unreliable nature of earthly alliances, Isaiah proclaims God's unwavering protection over Jerusalem. He uses vivid imagery to illustrate God's strength and tender care. God is likened to a fierce lion, unafraid of the shepherds who try to drive it from its prey (Isaiah 31:4). This image conveys God's power and unwavering commitment to defend His people. He is also likened to birds hovering protectively over their young (Isaiah 31:5). This image speaks of God's tender compassion and watchful care. He will "defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it" (Isaiah 31:5). This promise is not based on Judah's merit, but on God's covenant faithfulness.
A Call to Repentance and Reformation (Isaiah 31:6-7)
Amidst the warnings and promises, Isaiah calls the people to repentance. "Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted" (Isaiah 31:6). This call acknowledges the depth of their sin and the need for a radical change of heart. True repentance will be evidenced by a turning away from idolatry. "For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin" (Isaiah 31:7). This is not merely an outward act of discarding idols, but an inward transformation that rejects the false securities they represent.
The Fall of Assyria (Isaiah 31:8-9)
Isaiah concludes with a prophecy of the Assyrian army's defeat. This defeat will not be accomplished by human might, but by the direct intervention of God. "Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him" (Isaiah 31:8). The Assyrian king will flee in terror, and his princes will be dismayed. This dramatic turn of events will demonstrate God's power and faithfulness to His people. The chapter ends with a declaration of God's presence and power in Zion: "Whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem" (Isaiah 31:9). This signifies God's commitment to His people and His unwavering protection of His holy city.
Isaiah 31 serves as a timeless reminder that true security is found only in trusting God. When we are tempted to rely on earthly resources or alliances, we must remember that they are ultimately unreliable. God alone is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalms 46:1). By turning to Him in repentance and faith, we can experience His unwavering protection and abundant provision.
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord!
Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity.
Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.
For thus hath the Lord spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.
As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.
Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.
For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin.
Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited.
And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the Lord, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.
Isaiah 31:1-3
Here, I. The prophet reproves those who distrusted God and depended upon Egypt for help, Isaiah 31:1. This is a continuation of the reproof in the foregoing chapters. Judah was now in distress, and threatened by the army of the Assyrians; instead of applying to God by repentance and prayer, and waiting on him in a way of duty, they sent ambassadors to Egypt, to court the Egyptians into an alliance with them, and to hire them to assist them with a good body of horse. This the prophet here condemns, 1. As a foolish thing: Woe to those that go down to Egypt for help! It was like going down hill, a dangerous step. "Alas for them! They are undone; their counsels are baffled, and they will be disappointed." Note, Those deserve a woe that forsake God and trust to an arm of flesh. It is a great piece of folly to lean on a broken reed, when we have the rock of ages to rely upon. 2. As a sinful thing, because it was a practical disbelief of God's all-sufficiency and a contempt of his promise. They stay on horses and chariots; they depend upon them, and build their hopes upon them. See how Carnal security is the fruit of infidelity. They stay on horses because they are strong, and on chariots because they are many; they trust to the number and might of their forces, forgetting that the race is not always to the swift nor the battle to the strong. They think themselves safe if they have but a good stable of horses and a great train of chariots. But they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord. This was the great evil of their sin that they did not consult God, did not ask counsel at his mouth, did not desire to know what his will was and what he would advise them to do in this exigency. They took their measures without him, and then never sought him afterwards, either to give success to their projects or to pardon their presumption. Note, It is a very bad sign when, in times of distress and danger, we restrain prayer before God, and do not seek him, but lean to our own understanding. 3. He foretels that it should prove to no purpose, but they should be disappointed in their expectations from Egypt: "Now the Egyptians are men, and not God. They are flesh, and not spirit; they are frail and mortal, and their power is limited; they are not omnipotent and omnipresent as God is." It is true of all creatures that they are but men, and not God; it is therefore our wisdom to make God our confidence, and not man, not princes, Psalms 118:8, Psalms 118:9; Psalms 146:3. And, because they are flesh, and not spirit, they are foolish, and short-sighted, and fickle, and cannot be depended upon. We are therefore cautioned not to trust in the son of man, nor make flesh our arm, Jeremiah 17:5. When the Lord shall stretch out his hand (as he will certainly do in anger against those that forsake him), both he that helps shall fall, and he that is helped shall fall down, and they shall all fail together. The Egyptians shall not be able to give them any real assistance, and the Jews shall bring ruin upon themselves by seeking to them for it. Note, Those that associate with God's enemies cannot expect to prosper; for, if God stretch out his hand against them, they must fall, and all that trust in them shall fall with them.
Isaiah 31:4-9
The prophet, having reproved those that distrusted God, here encourages those that trusted in him.
I. He assures them of God's protection, and that he would himself undertake to defend Jerusalem from the Assyrians (Isaiah 31:4, Isaiah 31:5): Thus has the Lord spoken unto me (and he is one that will not lie, nor can he be deceived), Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey. See how the prophet endeavours to raise their faith by representing to them, 1. The courage and boldness of their God. He is like a lion roaring on his prey, that is not, in the least, terrified at the shouting of a multitude of shepherds that come out against him to drive him from his prey. The great men of the earth are a terror to those that are about them, but the great God is in no terror of any. Let the multitude of the enemies of God and his church be never so great, let their power and malice be never so threatening, they cannot daunt him, nor make him in the least to flinch from his gracious purposes concerning his people. 2. The compassion and tenderness of their God. As a roaring lion, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; but, as an eagle, he will protect it with great care and tenderness: As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem. The comparison is elegant. As the parent birds hover over their young to protect them, flying about them, to keep off those that would do them hurt, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem, keep it under his wings, and interpose himself between it and the enemy. Thus he will defend it, preserve it, and pass over it. He will defend it by preserving it, and, in preserving it, he will pass over it, that is, he will spare it, as he did when he passed over the houses of the Israelites when he slew the first-born of the Egyptians. Note, God's protection is the preservation of his people.
II. He calls them to repentance, as the best way of preparing themselves for that protection, Isaiah 31:6, Isaiah 31:7. God was about to appear for them; now he expects that they should return to him. Consider, 1. The sinfulness and folly of their departure from God: "Return unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted." Note, (1.) In every sin we revolt from God; we turn our back upon him whom we ought to cleave to. (2.) The revolts of the children of Israel have been deep revolts, and there has been a great deal of aggravation in them. They are children, and should have been faithful; they are Israel, set apart to God, and deeply obliged to him; yet they revolted, and revolted deeply. 2. The necessity and duty of their return to God. They must return from their idolatries, those depths of iniquity from which they had deeply revolted. They must return to the worship of God, and the practice of serious godliness; and then God would return to them in mercy. 3. The evidence and effect of their repentance and reformation: In that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold. They must part with their sins, those idols which their hearts had been deeply revolted to, and which had alienated them from God. It is not enough to cease from the external acts of idolatry, but we must cast away the idols themselves with indignation and contempt, and a resolution never to harbor them any more. Note, A thorough reformation will be the fruit and evidence of a sincere repentance. If we return to God, we must cast away our idols.
III. He foretels the ruin of the Assyrian army, which would be such as would redound to the honour of God and the comfort of his people, Isaiah 31:8, Isaiah 31:9. It is here foretold, 1. That the Assyrian army should be routed, and forced to retire with shame. The Assyrian shall fall with the sword, not of a mighty man, nor shall the sword of a mean man devour him; it shall be done immediately by the hand of God, and in such a way as shall magnify his power. They shall fall, not by the sword of man, but by the sword of an angel. An angel slew a vast number of them in one night, 2 Kings 19:35. 2. That their king should flee away in a fright, and his officers should be ashamed of the disappointment they had met with, and desert him. He shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, shall quit the siege of Jerusalem, and think himself safe if he can but get home; and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, afraid of the standard which God shall lift up against them, by which he will manifest his displeasure. 3. That all this shall be a demonstration of God's power and a proof of his favour to his people: Whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem. God dwells in Zion, and has his fire in Jerusalem, that is, his altar there, on which the fire was always burning. This intimates that God's worship should be maintained in Jerusalem, and that God would protect those that adhered to it. Jerusalem was his furnace, where he refined his people, as silver is refined in the furnace, and separated the dross from the silver. It was the place of his residence, and therefore he would take care of it, and not suffer it to be insulted. Note, The church is God's Zion, and in it he has a fire, the fire of his word and ordinances, and the fire of his Spirit, by which it is purified.
Isaiah 31 addresses Judah's misguided reliance on Egypt for protection against the looming threat of Assyria. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of where true security lies: not in earthly alliances, but in the unwavering faithfulness of God. The prophet Isaiah delivers both a stern warning and a comforting promise, urging the people to turn away from their misplaced trust and return to the Lord.
A Woe to Misplaced Trust (Isaiah 31:1-3)
Isaiah begins with a "woe" – a pronouncement of judgment – against those who seek help from Egypt (Isaiah 31:1). The people are criticized for depending on horses and chariots, symbols of military might, rather than looking to the "Holy One of Israel" for deliverance. This dependence on Egypt is portrayed as both foolish and sinful. It is foolish because Egypt is "men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit" (Isaiah 31:3). Their power is limited, their wisdom flawed. It is sinful because it demonstrates a lack of trust in God's ability to protect His people. They "do not seek the LORD" (Isaiah 31:1). This deliberate choice to ignore God's provision is at the heart of their error. As Tony Evans aptly points out, this plan was "a deliberate attempt to avoid obeying God and trusting in his deliverance." The consequences of this misplaced trust are dire. Isaiah warns that when the Lord stretches out His hand in judgment, "both he that helps shall fall, and he that is helped shall fall down, and they all shall fail together" (Isaiah 31:3). The alliance with Egypt will not bring safety but shared destruction.
God's Promise of Protection (Isaiah 31:4-5)
In contrast to the unreliable nature of earthly alliances, Isaiah proclaims God's unwavering protection over Jerusalem. He uses vivid imagery to illustrate God's strength and tender care. God is likened to a fierce lion, unafraid of the shepherds who try to drive it from its prey (Isaiah 31:4). This image conveys God's power and unwavering commitment to defend His people. He is also likened to birds hovering protectively over their young (Isaiah 31:5). This image speaks of God's tender compassion and watchful care. He will "defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it" (Isaiah 31:5). This promise is not based on Judah's merit, but on God's covenant faithfulness.
A Call to Repentance and Reformation (Isaiah 31:6-7)
Amidst the warnings and promises, Isaiah calls the people to repentance. "Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted" (Isaiah 31:6). This call acknowledges the depth of their sin and the need for a radical change of heart. True repentance will be evidenced by a turning away from idolatry. "For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin" (Isaiah 31:7). This is not merely an outward act of discarding idols, but an inward transformation that rejects the false securities they represent.
The Fall of Assyria (Isaiah 31:8-9)
Isaiah concludes with a prophecy of the Assyrian army's defeat. This defeat will not be accomplished by human might, but by the direct intervention of God. "Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him" (Isaiah 31:8). The Assyrian king will flee in terror, and his princes will be dismayed. This dramatic turn of events will demonstrate God's power and faithfulness to His people. The chapter ends with a declaration of God's presence and power in Zion: "Whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem" (Isaiah 31:9). This signifies God's commitment to His people and His unwavering protection of His holy city.
Isaiah 31 serves as a timeless reminder that true security is found only in trusting God. When we are tempted to rely on earthly resources or alliances, we must remember that they are ultimately unreliable. God alone is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalms 46:1). By turning to Him in repentance and faith, we can experience His unwavering protection and abundant provision.