Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD. Woe to those who go down to Egypt for helpThe opening word, "Woe," is a prophetic declaration of impending judgment or distress. In Hebrew, the word is "הוֹי" (hoy), often used by prophets to signal a warning. This sets a somber tone, indicating that the actions of the people are grievous in the eyes of God. The phrase "go down to Egypt for help" reflects a historical context where Israel, facing threats from Assyria, sought military alliances with Egypt. This reliance on Egypt, a nation synonymous with past oppression and idolatry, symbolizes a lack of faith in God's protection and provision. Theologically, it underscores the danger of seeking worldly solutions to spiritual problems. and rely on horses
The phrase "rely on horses" highlights the dependence on military might and human strength. In ancient times, horses and chariots were symbols of military power and security. The Hebrew word for "rely" is "שָׁעַן" (sha'an), meaning to lean on or trust. This reliance on horses instead of God reflects a misplaced trust in human resources rather than divine intervention. It serves as a caution against prioritizing material strength over spiritual faithfulness. who trust in chariots because they are many
"Trust in chariots" further emphasizes the misplaced confidence in military technology and numbers. Chariots were formidable in battle, representing advanced warfare capabilities. The Hebrew root for "trust" is "בָּטַח" (batach), meaning to feel secure or confident. The phrase "because they are many" suggests a false sense of security based on numerical superiority. This reflects a broader biblical theme that true security comes from God, not from human calculations or strength. and in horsemen because they are very strong
The phrase "in horsemen because they are very strong" continues the theme of reliance on military prowess. Horsemen, or cavalry, were elite troops known for their speed and strength. The Hebrew word for "strong" is "עָצוּם" (atzum), meaning mighty or powerful. This reliance on human strength is contrasted with the biblical teaching that God's power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). It serves as a reminder that true strength lies in God's sovereignty and not in human might. but do not look to the Holy One of Israel
The phrase "do not look to the Holy One of Israel" highlights the spiritual failure of the people. The "Holy One of Israel" is a title for God that emphasizes His uniqueness, purity, and covenant relationship with Israel. The Hebrew word for "look" is "נָבַט" (nabat), meaning to regard or consider. This lack of regard for God signifies a spiritual blindness and a turning away from the source of true help and guidance. It underscores the importance of seeking God first in times of trouble. or seek the LORD
The final phrase, "or seek the LORD," contrasts the previous actions with the proper response of faith. The Hebrew word for "seek" is "דָּרַשׁ" (darash), meaning to inquire or pursue. This implies an active, intentional effort to find guidance and support from God. The failure to seek the LORD reflects a deeper issue of the heart, where trust in God has been replaced by reliance on human solutions. It serves as a call to return to a posture of dependence on God, who is the ultimate source of wisdom and strength. Persons / Places / Events 1. EgyptA powerful nation known for its military strength and chariots. In the context of Isaiah, Egypt represents reliance on worldly power rather than on God. 2. The Holy One of IsraelA title for God, emphasizing His holiness and unique relationship with Israel. It underscores the importance of seeking God rather than earthly powers. 3. IsaiahA prophet in the 8th century BC who warned the Israelites about the consequences of their lack of faith and reliance on foreign powers. 4. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, which was tempted to seek military alliances with Egypt instead of trusting in God. 5. Chariots and HorsemenSymbols of military might and human strength, which the Israelites were tempted to trust instead of God. Teaching Points Reliance on God vs. Worldly PowersThe verse warns against placing trust in human strength and resources instead of God. Believers are encouraged to seek God's guidance and provision first. The Danger of Misplaced TrustTrusting in worldly powers can lead to spiritual downfall. True security comes from faith in God, not in material or military strength. Seeking God in Times of TroubleIn times of crisis, believers should turn to God for help and guidance, rather than seeking solutions that exclude Him. The Holiness of GodRecognizing God as the "Holy One of Israel" reminds us of His unique power and authority. Our trust should be in His holiness and righteousness. Faith Over FearFear can drive us to seek security in the wrong places. Faith in God provides peace and assurance, even in uncertain times. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some modern-day "Egypts" that people might be tempted to rely on instead of God? 2. How can we practically "seek the LORD" in our daily lives, especially when facing challenges? 3. In what ways does the account of King Hezekiah (2 Kings 18-19) illustrate the principles found in Isaiah 31:1? 4. How does understanding God as the "Holy One of Israel" influence our trust in Him? 5. Reflect on a time when you were tempted to rely on your own strength or resources. How did turning to God change the outcome? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 17:16This verse warns Israel's kings not to return to Egypt to acquire horses, highlighting the danger of relying on military power rather than God. Psalm 20:7This verse contrasts trust in chariots and horses with trust in the name of the Lord, reinforcing the message of Isaiah 31:1. 2 Kings 18-19The account of King Hezekiah, who faced the temptation to rely on Egypt but ultimately trusted in God for deliverance from Assyria. People Egyptians, Isaiah, Israelites, JeremiahPlaces Egypt, Jerusalem, Mount Zion, ZionTopics Chariots, Confide, Consult, Cursed, Depend, Egypt, Exceeding, Faith, Hearts, Holy, Horsemen, Horses, Lean, Mighty, Multitude, Numbers, Rely, Salvation, Seek, Sought, Stay, Strength, Strong, Trust, Turning, War-carriages, Wo, WoeDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 31:1 1346 covenants, nature of
4657 horse
5205 alliance
5252 chariots
5292 defence, divine
5612 weapons
5811 compromise
5956 strength, human
5973 unreliability
7735 leaders, political
8032 trust, lack of
8160 seeking God
8224 dependence
8354 trustworthiness
8616 prayerlessness
8723 doubt, results of
8744 faithlessness, as disobedience
8848 worldliness Isaiah 31:1-2 4155 divination Isaiah 31:1-3 5003 human race, and God
5864 futility
8463 priority, of faith, hope and love Library Three Pictures of one Reality
'As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also He will deliver it; and passing over He will preserve it'--ISAIAH xxxi. 5. The immediate occasion of this very remarkable promise is, of course, the peril in which Jerusalem was placed by Sennacherib's invasion; and the fulfilment of the promise was the destruction of his army before its gates. But the promise here, like all God's promises, is eternal in substance, and applies to a community only because it applies to each …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Lord's Furnace
'The Lord, whose fire is in Zion, and His furnace in Jerusalem.'-- ISAIAH xxxi. 9. This very remarkable characterisation of God stands here as a kind of seal, set upon the preceding prophecy. It is the reason why that will certainly be fulfilled. And what precedes is mainly a promise of a deliverance for Israel, which was to be a destruction for Israel's enemies. It is put in very graphic and remarkable metaphors: 'Like as a lion roareth on his prey when a multitude of shepherds is called forth …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture What God Is
John iv. 24.--"God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." We have here something of the nature of God pointed out to us, and something of our duty towards him. "God is a Spirit," that is his nature, and "man must worship him," that is his duty, and that "in spirit and in truth," that is the right manner of the duty. If these three were well pondered till they did sink into the bottom of our spirits, they would make us indeed Christians, not in the letter, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Of Conversion
Of Conversion "Be ye truly converted unto that God from whom ye have so deeply revolted" (Isa. xxxi. 6). To be truly converted is to avert wholly from the creature, and turn wholly unto God. For the attainment of salvation it is absolutely necessary that we should forsake outward sin and turn unto righteousness: but this alone is not perfect conversion, which consists in a total change of the whole man from an outward to an inward life. When the soul is once turned to God a wonderful facility is …
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer Of Perfect Conversion, which is an Effect of this Method of Prayer --Two of Its Aids, the Attraction of God, and the Central Inclination of The
"Turn ye unto Him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted" (Isa. xxxi. 6). Conversion is nothing else but a turning from the creature to God. Conversion is not perfect, though it is necessary for salvation, when it is merely a turning from sin to grace. To be complete, it must be a turning from without to within. The soul, being turned in the direction of God, has a great facility for remaining converted to Him. The longer it is converted, the nearer it approaches to God, and attaches …
Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents That it is not Lawful for the Well Affected Subjects to Concur in Such an Engagement in War, and Associate with the Malignant Party.
That It Is Not Lawful For The Well Affected Subjects To Concur In Such An Engagement In War, And Associate With The Malignant Party. Some convinced of the unlawfulness of the public resolutions and proceedings, in reference to the employing of the malignant party, yet do not find such clearness and satisfaction in their own consciences as to forbid the subjects to concur in this war, and associate with the army so constituted. Therefore it is needful to speak something to this point, That it is …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning But Though Prayer is Properly Confined to Vows and Supplications...
But though prayer is properly confined to vows and supplications, yet so strong is the affinity between petition and thanksgiving, that both may be conveniently comprehended under one name. For the forms which Paul enumerates (1 Tim. 2:1) fall under the first member of this division. By prayer and supplication we pour out our desires before God, asking as well those things which tend to promote his glory and display his name, as the benefits which contribute to our advantage. By thanksgiving we duly …
John Calvin—Of Prayer--A Perpetual Exercise of Faith Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and Ungodly Men.
Scriptures Showing The Sin And Danger Of Joining With Wicked And Ungodly Men. When the Lord is punishing such a people against whom he hath a controversy, and a notable controversy, every one that is found shall be thrust through: and every one joined with them shall fall, Isa. xiii. 15. They partake in their judgment, not only because in a common calamity all shares, (as in Ezek. xxi. 3.) but chiefly because joined with and partakers with these whom God is pursuing; even as the strangers that join …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Sennacherib (705-681 B. C. )
The struggle of Sennacherib with Judaea and Egypt--Destruction of Babylon. Sennacherib either failed to inherit his father's good fortune, or lacked his ability.* He was not deficient in military genius, nor in the energy necessary to withstand the various enemies who rose against him at widely removed points of his frontier, but he had neither the adaptability of character nor the delicate tact required to manage successfully the heterogeneous elements combined under his sway. * The two principal …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
Ver. 1. "And it shall come to pass, afterwards, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." The communication of the Spirit of God was the constant prerogative of the Covenant-people. Indeed, the very idea of such a people necessarily requires it. For the Spirit of God is the only inward bond betwixt Him and that which is created; a Covenant-people, therefore, without such an inward …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Upbringing of Jewish Children
The tenderness of the bond which united Jewish parents to their children appears even in the multiplicity and pictorialness of the expressions by which the various stages of child-life are designated in the Hebrew. Besides such general words as "ben" and "bath"--"son" and "daughter"--we find no fewer than nine different terms, each depicting a fresh stage of life. The first of these simply designates the babe as the newly--"born"--the "jeled," or, in the feminine, "jaldah"--as in Exodus 2:3, 6, 8. …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Isaiah
CHAPTERS I-XXXIX Isaiah is the most regal of the prophets. His words and thoughts are those of a man whose eyes had seen the King, vi. 5. The times in which he lived were big with political problems, which he met as a statesman who saw the large meaning of events, and as a prophet who read a divine purpose in history. Unlike his younger contemporary Micah, he was, in all probability, an aristocrat; and during his long ministry (740-701 B.C., possibly, but not probably later) he bore testimony, as …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Isaiah 31:1 NIVIsaiah 31:1 NLTIsaiah 31:1 ESVIsaiah 31:1 NASBIsaiah 31:1 KJV
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