Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; And their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out His hand, Both he who helps will fall, And he who is helped will fall down; They all will perish together. Isaiah 31:3
The folly of reliance upon Egypt
Men and not God (31:3). Today too the choice exists between relying on the flesh or on the Spirit. Let’s choose wisely.
31:1-9 The 5th woe oracle reaffirms the 4th oracle (30:1-33); it too was addressed to those who replaced faith in the Lord with reliance on Egypt. This oracle consists of a condemnation of dependence on Egypt, and a promise that the Lord will save Mt. Zion and destroy Assyria.
31:2, 3 The house of evildoers refers to Judah. Their help refers to Egypt. Both Egypt and Judah will perish together.
2 Yet He also is wise and will bring disaster, And will not call back His words, But will arise against the house of evildoers, And against the help of those who work iniquity. 3 Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; And their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out His hand, Both he who helps will fall, And he who is helped will fall down; They all will perish together.
31:4, 5 Lion connotes the Lord of hosts and His resolve to fight the enemy. The multitude of shepherds refers to the Assyrian officers. Mount Zion and hill are synonyms. Birds flying about pictures the Lord’s passionate commitment to defend Jerusalem. Passing over is a technical term used for the destroying angel who “passed over” Israel in destroying the Egyptians and defending Israel.
4 For thus the Lord has spoken to me: “As a lion roars, And a young lion over his prey (When a multitude of shepherds is summoned against him, He will not be afraid of their voice Nor be disturbed by their noise), So the Lord of hosts will come down To fight for Mount Zion and for its hill. 5 Like birds flying about, So will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem. Defending, He will also deliver it; Passing over, He will preserve it.”
31:8 Not of man refers to the death angel that destroyed Sennacherib’s vaunted army (37:36).
8 “Then Assyria shall fall by a sword not of man, And a sword not of mankind shall devour him. But he shall flee from the sword, And his young men shall become forced labor.
31:9 A banner was a rallying point for a battle. The princes would be too dispirited to rally for the cause.
9 He shall cross over to his stronghold for fear, And his princes shall be afraid of the banner,” Says the Lord, Whose fire is in Zion And whose furnace is in Jerusalem.
⇒ Would we seek help from God or men? The choice is obvious. Isaiah 31:3 starts with the word “Now.” It’s like God is reasoning with us. “Now listen!” “Pay attention now,” or “Now, watch this” as Pastor Charles Stanley often says. My mind tends to wander a bit while listening to sermons. So, it’s helpful when he lets us know that he is about to say something important.
The Egyptians Are Men, Not God
31 1 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 who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the Lord! 2 Yet He also is wise and will bring disaster, And will not call back His words, But will arise against the house of evildoers, And against the help of those who work iniquity. 3 Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; And their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out His hand, Both he who helps will fall, And he who is helped will fall down; They all will perish together. 4 For thus the Lord has spoken to me: “As a lion roars, And a young lion over his prey (When a multitude of shepherds is summoned against him, He will not be afraid of their voice Nor be disturbed by their noise), So the Lord of hosts will come down To fight for Mount Zion and for its hill. 5 Like birds flying about, So will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem. Defending, He will also deliver it; Passing over, He will preserve it.” 6 Return to Him against whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted. 7 For in that day every man shall throw away his idols of silver and his idols of gold–sin, which your own hands have made for yourselves. 8 “Then Assyria shall fall by a sword not of man, And a sword not of mankind shall devour him. But he shall flee from the sword, And his young men shall become forced labor. 9 He shall cross over to his stronghold for fear, And his princes shall be afraid of the banner,” Says the Lord, Whose fire is in Zion And whose furnace is in Jerusalem.
