Isaiah Chapter 31
From The Open Bible Project
31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they don't look to the Holy One of Israel, and they don't seek Yahweh!
- (a) There were two special reasons why the Israelites should not join with the Egyptians: first, because the Lord had commanded them never to return there, (Deuteronomy 17:16,28:68) lest they should forget the benefit of their redemption: and secondly, lest they should be corrupted with the superstition and idolatry of the Egyptians, and so forsake God, (Jeremiah 2:18).
- (b) Meaning, that they forsake the Lord, if they put their trust in worldly things: for they cannot trust in both.
31:2 Yet he also is wise, and will bring disaster, and will not call back his words, but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of those who work iniquity.
- (c) And knows their crafty enterprises, and will bring all to nought.
31:3 Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When Yahweh stretches out his hand, both he who helps shall stumble, and he who is helped shall fall, and they all shall be consumed together.
- (d) Meaning, both the Egyptians and the Israelites.
31:4 For thus says Yahweh to me, "As the lion and the young lion growling over his prey, if a multitude of shepherds is called together against him, will not be dismayed at their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them, so Yahweh of Armies will come down to fight on Mount Zion and on its heights.
- (e) He shows the Jews that if they would put their trust in him, he is so able, that no one can resist his power and so care over them, as a bird over her young, which ever flies about them for their defence: which similitude the scripture uses in various places, as in (Deuteronomy 32:11; Matthew 23:37).
31:5 As birds hovering, so Yahweh of Armies will protect Jerusalem. He will protect and deliver it. He will pass over and preserve it."
31:6 Return to him from whom you have deeply revolted, children of Israel.
- (f) He touches their conscience that they might earnestly feel their grievous sins, and so truly repent, for as much as now they are almost drowned and past recovery.
31:7 For in that day everyone shall cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold--sin which your own hands have made for you.
- (g) By these fruits your repentance will be known, as in (Isaiah 2:20).
31:8 "The Assyrian will fall by the sword, not of man; and the sword, not of mankind, shall devour him. He will flee from the sword, and his young men will become subject to forced labor.
- (h) When your repentance appears.
31:9 His rock will pass away by reason of terror, and his princes will be afraid of the banner," says Yahweh, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.
- (i) This was accomplished soon after when Sennacherib’s army was discomfited, and he fled to his castle in Nineveh for comfort.
- (k) To destroy his enemies.
