Chapter Overview
Summary
Isaiah 31 continues the WOE-TO-EGYPT-RELIANCE theme. Verse 3's contrast 'the Egyptians are men, and not God; their horses are flesh, and not spirit' is a key-anti-idolatry maxim distinguishing flesh-from-Spirit. Verses 4–5 describe-the-LORD as both-roaring-lion and-protective-bird-flying-over-Jerusalem.
Notable Variants
31:3 'flesh, and not spirit' anthropology — John 3:6 ('that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit'); 31:5 'like birds hovering over' divine-protection imagery.
Structural Notes
MT Isaiah 31 = LXX Isaiah 31. 9 verses.
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses and trust in chariots because they are many, in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or seek the LORD!
'Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the LORD!' tracks MT. WOE-TO-EGYPT-RELIANCE. Anti-military-reliance theology — Ps 20:7 ('some trust in chariots, some in horses') family.
Yet He too is wise — and He brings disaster! He does not take back His words. He will rise against the house of evildoers and against the allies of those who do wrong.
'And yet he is wise and brings disaster; he does not call back his words, but will arise against the house of the evildoers and against the helpers of those who work iniquity' tracks MT.
The Egyptians are human, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble and the one helped will fall, and both will perish together.
'The Egyptians are man, and not God, and their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, the helper will stumble, and he who is helped will fall, and they will all perish together' tracks MT. FLESH-NOT-SPIRIT. John 3:6 ('that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit') Christologically-extends. Foundational anthropology — flesh-and-spirit distinction.
For this is what the LORD has said to me: As a lion — a great lion — growls over its prey, and when a full band of shepherds is called out against it, it is not frightened by their shouting nor cowed by their clamor — so the LORD of Hosts will come down to fight on Mount Zion and on its hill.
'For thus the LORD said to me: As a lion or a young lion growls over his prey, and when a band of shepherds is called out against him he is not terrified by their shouting or daunted at their noise, so the LORD of hosts will come down to fight on Mount Zion and on its hill' tracks MT. LORD-AS-LION. Revelation 5:5 ('the Lion of the tribe of Judah') Christologically-extends.
Like birds hovering overhead, so the LORD of Hosts will shield Jerusalem — shielding and delivering, passing over and rescuing.
'Like birds hovering, so the LORD of hosts will protect Jerusalem; he will protect and deliver it; he will spare and rescue it' tracks MT. BIRDS-HOVERING-PROTECTION. Matthew 23:37 ('how often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings') Christologically-extends.
Return to the One from whom you have so deeply revolted, O children of Israel.
'Turn to him from whom people have deeply revolted, O children of Israel' tracks MT. TURN — repentance-call.
For on that day, each of you will reject your idols of silver and your idols of gold — the sinful things your own hands have made.
'For in that day everyone shall cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold, which your hands have sinfully made for you' tracks MT.
Assyria will fall by a sword not wielded by man; a sword not of mortals will devour him. He will flee before the sword, and his young warriors will be put to forced labor.
'And the Assyrian shall fall by a sword, not of man; and a sword, not of man, shall devour him; and he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be put to forced labor' tracks MT. SWORD-NOT-OF-MAN — divine-defeat. Fulfilled-2 Kings 19:35 (the angel of the LORD struck 185,000 Assyrians).
His rock will crumble in terror, and his commanders will panic at the battle standard, declares the LORD, whose fire is in Zion and whose furnace is in Jerusalem.
'His rock shall pass away in terror, and his officers desert the standard in panic, declares the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and whose furnace is in Jerusalem' tracks MT. FURNACE-IN-JERUSALEM.