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Isaiah, 31

1. Woe to those going down to Egypt for help, who put their trust in horses, who rely on the quantity of chariots, and on great strength of cavalrymen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult Yahweh.

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!

2. Yet he too is wise and can bring disaster and he will not go back on his word; he will rise against the breed of evil-doers and against those who protect wrong-doers.

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.

3. The Egyptian is human, not divine, his horses are flesh, not spirit; Yahweh will stretch out his hand: the protector will stumble, the protected will fall and all will perish together.

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.

4. Yes, this is what Yahweh has said to me: As a lion or lion cub growls over its prey, when scores of shepherds are summoned to drive it off, without being frightened by their shouting or cowed by the noise they make, just so will Yahweh Sabaoth descend to fight for Mount Zion and for its hill.

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.

5. Like hovering birds, so will Yahweh Sabaoth protect Jerusalem; by protecting it, he will save it, by supporting it, he will deliver it.

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.

6. Come back to the one whom the Israelites have so deeply betrayed!

6. Turn ye unto [him from] whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.

7. For, that day, each of you will throw away the false gods of silver and the false gods of gold which your own sinful hands have made.

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.

8. Assyria will fall by the sword, not that of a man, will be devoured by the sword, of no human being, he will flee before the sword and his young warriors will be enslaved.

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.

9. In his terror he will abandon his rock, and his panic-stricken officers desert the standard -- declares Yahweh, whose fire is in Zion, whose furnace, in Jerusalem.

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.



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Footnotes:

31:1-3 - The prophet warns against trusting in human power, like the Egyptian army, instead of seeking God's help. Only the Lord has the power to save (see also Psalm 33:16-20 and Proverbs 21:31).

31:4-5 - God is compared to a lion that fears no enemies and to a bird that protects its nest, highlighting His strength and care over Jerusalem (see also Psalm 91:4 and Isaiah 42:13).

31:6-7 - A call to repentance is made, inviting the people to turn from idols and return to God. This reinforces the theme of the exclusivity of God's worship (see also Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and 1 John 5:21).

31:8-9 - The defeat of Israel's enemies without human intervention emphasizes God's power to fulfill His promises and protect His people (see also Exodus 14:14 and Isaiah 37:36).

Verses related to Isaiah, 31:

Isaiah chapter 31 reinforces the futility of human trust. How does God demonstrate His supremacy? This concise text reiterates the warning against alliances with Egypt, contrasting human weakness with divine power. The chapter uses the metaphor of the lion to illustrate God's fierce protection of Jerusalem. Isaiah 31 explores themes such as idolatry, repentance, and God's supernatural defense. Consider with us five biblical passages that amplify the truths of this powerful chapter.

Psalms 20:7: "Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." - It reflects the warning against trusting in Egypt and its military resources in Isaiah 31:1.

Hebrews 12:29: "For our 'God is a consuming fire'." - It relates to the description of God as a consuming fire in Isaiah 31:9.

1 Peter 5:8: "Be sober and watchful. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." - It contrasts with the image of God as a protective lion in Isaiah 31:4.

John 10:11: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep." - It echoes the image of God protecting Jerusalem like birds protecting a nest in Isaiah 31:5.

Acts 3:19: "Repent, therefore, and turn to God, so that your sins may be canceled." - It reflects the call to repentance and abandonment of idols in Isaiah 31:6-7.

FAQ:

What does Isaiah 31 say about trusting God?

Isaiah 31 teaches that trusting in human alliances, like Egypt, is futile, but trusting in God guarantees protection and deliverance, for He is the only power capable of defeating enemies. (Isaiah 31:1-3)

Why does God condemn trust in Egypt in Isaiah 31?

God condemns trusting in Egypt because it cannot save, comparing it to a feeble horse. True help comes only from God, who is sovereign over all nations. (Isaiah 31:3-5)

How does God promise to protect Jerusalem in Isaiah 31?

God promises to protect Jerusalem from invasion by sending an angel who will defeat the enemies in a single night. He reaffirms that salvation comes from the Lord. (Isaiah 31:4-9)

What does "salvation comes from the Lord" mean in Isaiah 31?

The phrase indicates that Israel's victory will not come from human forces, but directly from divine intervention, demonstrating God's power and faithfulness to His people. (Isaiah 31:5)

How does Isaiah 31 reveal God's nature as protector?

Isaiah 31 emphasizes that God is a powerful protector, defending His people against enemies with supernatural strength. His protection is guaranteed by His sovereignty and absolute power. (Isaiah 31:4-5)


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