Isaiah 31 - Printer Friendly

Isaiah 31 covers similar subject matter to the previous chapter but in a condensed format. Isaiah begins by predicting misery declaring woe on those who seek Egyptian help against an Assyrian invasion. They are trusting in earthly war tools, which Egypt apparently had in abundance. The words predict "woe" for those who don't look to the Lord God but instead rely on other nations (Isaiah 31:1).

Despite what Judah seems to think, the Lord is both wise and strong. Unlike Egypt, He won't change His mind or go back on His word. The Egyptians are merely men; the Lord is God. Their horses are only flesh; He is spirit. The Lord will bring disaster against both Judah and her helper Egypt, causing both to perish together (Isaiah 31:2–3).

After that, though, the Lord will stand against the Assyrians to save Jerusalem from their attack. He will be like a powerful lion that attacks a flock without being afraid of the shepherds. He will hover over Jerusalem like a mother bird hovers over a nest to protect it (Isaiah 31:4–5).

Isaiah then calls for the children of Israel to turn back to the God they have rebelled against. That will only happen when the people throw away the idols they have made, which they worship instead of the Lord. The people will repent and cry out to God for help (Isaiah 31:6–7).

When the people repent and return to the Lord, He will turn to attack the Assyrians. Their defeat may come in battle, but the real cause will be God's supernatural power. Assyrian men will be enslaved. The king of Assyria, their "rock," will die in terror. The king's officers will scatter in fear over God's fiery defense of Jerusalem (Isaiah 31:8–9).

Isaiah 31:1–7 briefly recounts the subjects of the previous chapter. Misery is predicted for those who rely on animals and weapons instead of seeking God. God will cause both Judah and the Egyptians to fall together. After that, though, the Lord will come down to protect Jerusalem. Like a brave lion or a protective bird, He will rescue Jerusalem from disaster.

Isaiah declares "woe" on those in Judah who don't consult the Lord for help against the Assyrians. Instead, they turn to Egypt. They trust in earthly military resources instead of their own God. The Lord will bring disaster on both His sinful people Judah and their helpers the Egyptians. Both will fall. Then the Lord will come down to protect Jerusalem like a lion easily fending off multiple shepherds. Isaiah calls for the people to turn back to the Lord and prophecies that they will cast away their false idols. The Assyrians will be devoured and their king terrified and killed.

Isaiah 30 offers a shorter, poetic retelling of the previous chapter. This begins with a declaration of woe on the people of Judah. They rely on the horses and chariots of Egypt to save them from the Assyrians instead of consulting with the Lord. God will cause His sinful people Judah and their merely mortal helpers the Egyptians to fall together. Then He will protect Jerusalem from the Assyrians as a mother bird protects her nest. The following chapter continues to prophesy, looking ahead to Messiah's reign over the earth.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).