Deliverance From Israel’s Enemy
October 27, 2020
Commentary
This fifth “woe” is a brief summary of what Isaiah had already told the people. Their faith was in men and not in God (vv. 1-3). They trusted in “horses” and “chariots” and not in the hand of the Lord. God had warned the Jewish kings not to go to Egypt for horses or chariots (Deut. 17:14-16), but Solomon ignored this warning (I Kings 10:28-29). This was both unbelief and disobedience.
It was wrong for Judah to look to other nations for military help. They sought protection from those who had far less power than God. They were concerned with their own interests instead of God’s and thus they did not even consult Him. God assured the people that His greatness would protect them from the Assyrians (vv 4-5). He promised to do battle on Mount Zion (v. 4), and like birds flying overhead, He would shield Jerusalem and not let it fall into the enemy’s hands (v. 5).
Because the Lord promised to protect Judah the people are called to return to Him and reject their idolatry (vv. 6-7). Think of the money they would have saved and the distress they would have avoided had they only trusted in the Lord and obeyed Him. An amazing prediction is made that the invading Assyrian army would not fall by the sword but would flee from the sword (vv. 8-9). Therefore, the prophet calls on the people to repent. This is the very heart of Isaiah’s message. If there is any hope for her future, it is in turning again to God.
Application
It has been said that “Faith is living without scheming.” That is what Isaiah was saying to Judah and Jerusalem; and that is what He is saying to me today. Is my life made up of trusting or scheming?
Isaiah 31:1– 9 (NET)
1 Those who go down to Egypt for help are as good as dead; those who rely on war horses, and trust in Egypt’s many chariots and in their many, many horsemen. But they do not rely on the Holy One of Israel and do not seek help from the Lord.
2 Yet he too is wise and he will bring disaster; he does not retract his decree. He will attack the wicked nation, and the nation that helps those who commit sin.
3 The Egyptians are mere humans, not God; their horses are made of flesh, not spirit. The Lord will strike with his hand; the one who helps will stumble and the one being helped will fall. Together they will perish.
4 Indeed, this is what the Lord has said to me: “The Lord will be like a growling lion, like a young lion growling over its prey. Though a whole group of shepherds gathers against it, it is not afraid of their shouts or intimidated by their yelling. In this same way the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will descend to do battle on Mount Zion and on its hill.
5 Just as birds hover over a nest, so the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will protect Jerusalem. He will protect and deliver it; as he passes over he will rescue it.”
6 You Israelites! Return to the one you have so blatantly rebelled against! 7 For at that time every one will get rid of the silver and gold idols your hands sinfully made.
8 “Assyria will fall by a sword, but not one human-made; a sword not made by humankind will destroy them. They will run away from this sword and their young men will be forced to do hard labor.
9 They will surrender their stronghold because of fear; their officers will be afraid of the Lord’s battle flag.” This is what the Lord says— the one whose fire is in Zion, whose firepot is in Jerusalem.
Illustration: Mother Bird Who Saves Her Tiny Little Birds
An article in an older National Geographic magazine gave a penetrating picture of God’s love for us. After a forest fire raged through Yellowstone Park, one of the rangers found the charred body of a bird at the base of a smoking tree stump. When he knocked it with a stick, three tiny little birds scurried from under their dead mother’s wings. The remains of a half burnt nest nearby told the rest of the story. When the raging flames spread up the tree, the half burnt nest fell to the ground and the mother lit near it so her young birds could find protection under her wings. As the flames flared around her, she gave her life that her babies might live. (Lou Nicholes – Missionary/Author).