Isaiah Chapter 31 Verse-by-Verse Commentary
Isaiah 31:1
Woe to those going down to Egypt expecting help - relying on horses; trusting in chariots, because they have many, and in the strength of their cavalrymen - but not looking to the Holy One of Isra'el, not consulting ADONAI.
Isaiah gives a strong warning about what will happen to the people if they run to Egypt to protect them from the Assyrians. We might ask: What is wrong with allowing others to help? The first thing is that they were looking for someone to do what God had already promised to do himself. The second thing is that it is a form of idolatry in elevating men to the position of sustainer which is God's place.
Isaiah 31:2
But he too is wise and can bring disaster, and he does not take back his words; he will rise against the house of evildoers and against the help of those who do wrong.
This verse can be a little bit confusing but it speaks of the fact that God would be against the nation of Egypt if they tried to help the people of Jerusalem. He goes on to describe the people that trust in the Egyptians as "evildoers" and it may seem harsh but that is the way that God looks at those who refuse to trust in him. That fact should cause each of us to ask ourselves whether we lead people to trust in God or do we teach them to rely on the good will of men.
Isaiah 31:3
Now the Egyptians are men and not God, and their horses flesh and not spirit. So when ADONAI stretches out his hand, both he who helps will stumble, and he who is helped will fall; both will perish together.
Isaiah warns the people of Jerusalem that, even if the Egyptians decided to try to help them, they would fail because they were up against the will of God and not mere men. Even as Christians, we often forget that God is in control of all things. We can worry about perceived dangers and even try to form alliances for protection but our hope is in the Lord. Even men with the best of intentions will eventually let us down if we look to them for help.
Isaiah makes it clear that this proposed alliance between Israel and Egypt was an alliance against his will. This is a picture of what will happen in the last days as nations will join together to attempt to overthrow the will of God for Jerusalem.
Isaiah 31:4–5
For here is what ADONAI says to me: "As a lion or lion cub growls at its prey and isn't frightened away by the shouts of hordes of shepherds called out against him - their voices do not upset him - so likewise ADONAI-Tzva'ot will descend to fight on Mount Tziyon, on its hill. Like hovering birds, ADONAI-Tzva'ot will protect Yerushalayim. In protecting it, he will rescue it; in sparing it, he will save it.
God compares his will with a lion that is feasting on its prey and is threatened by a band of shepherds. Just as men do not scare a big lion from its food, the plans of men to thwart the will of God does not concern him. He had promised to protect Jerusalem from the Assyrians and, now, he looks to the final triumph of his will over the feeble efforts of men. He calls to mind the Passover when Israel was spared from death and freed from the bondage of the Egyptians and promises to do the same in the future. This passage speaks of the time just before the start of the Millennial Reign of Yeshua Messiah.
Isaiah 31:6–7
People of Isra'el! Return to him to whom you have been so deeply disloyal! For on that day everyone will discard his idols of silver and idols of gold, which you made for yourselves with your own sinful hands.
Isaiah calls the people of Jerusalem to repent and put their trust in the Lord. He sees the fact that, when Yeshua shows up to defend Jerusalem, the people will realize that he is the Lord and they will turn from their idols. That battle will demonstrate to the entire world that there is only one true God and that he is in control of all things. This will set up the one thousand year reign of Yeshua Messiah in Jerusalem.
Isaiah 31:8–9
Then Ashur will fall by a sword not of mortals, a sword, not of humans, will devour him; he will flee before the sword, and his young men will be put to forced labor. His rock, out of terror, will pass away, and his panicked officers will desert the standard." So says ADONAI, whose fire is in Tziyon, whose furnace is in Yerushalayim.
The events described here are exactly what happened when the Assyrians marched on Jerusalem (see 2 Kings 18:35). The angel of the Lord went into their camp and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men. They then withdrew back to Nineveh just as God promised here.
So, what does it mean when it talks of the fire in Zion and the furnace in Jerusalem? Fire and a furnace speaks of refinement and making something pure. Why did God take care of the Assyrians? He did it to refine the faith of the people of Jerusalem and the same type of thing will happen in the last days. It is just amazing that all it takes is a tiny amount of faith and that is given to us by God. That little bit is refined and grown as we see Him at work in the situations that we face.