[Isaiah 31:1] 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!
[Isaiah 31:2] 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.
“HE ALSO IS WISE” The counseloors of Judah thought themselves wisemen and that they could out –wit the advise of God given through the Prophet. It will not work. The evildoers will bring evil on themselves and all those they were responsible for.
[Isaiah 31:3] 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.
Egypt is not God or a replacement for him. Up to now we had the impression that relying on Egypt was a mistake because Egypt could not be relied upon. We now realize that God does not want Egypt to be reliable and will actively intervene against Egypt.
[Isaiah 31:4] 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.
God will put Egypt out of the picture but then intervene HIMSELF to show His glory.
[Isaiah 31:5] AS BIRDS FLYING, SO WILL THE LORD OF HOSTS DEFEND JERUSALEM; DEFENDING ALSO HE WILL DELIVER IT; AND PASSING OVER HE WILL PRESERVE IT.
Like birds (i.e. Magpies) hovering over their nest to protect it so too will God show His concern to protect Jerusalem. It will be clear to all.
[Isaiah 31:6] TURN YE UNTO HIM FROM WHOM THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL HAVE DEEPLY REVOLTED.
All the Children of Israel are called upon to take heed and repent.
[Isaiah 31:7] 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.
Idols include actual images of worship and also all values that substitute for or impede upon Divine ones. Silver and gold and the works of our hands represent our businesses, careers, social positions, family commitments etc. All these things are good in themselves but we use them often as excuses not to behave as we should or not to dedicate ourselves sufficiently to the Almighty.
[Isaiah 31:8] 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.
“ASSYRIAN” Isaiah is basing his future prediction on an actual event occurring in his time. He uses this event as a prototype. Nevertheless it appears that the descendants of Assyria in the future will also be prominent amongst the enemies of Israel.
[Isaiah 31:9] 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.
The King of Assyria will fly away and his officers be perturbed.
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