Their rock will pass away for fear, and their princes will panic at the sight of the battle standard," declares the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, whose furnace is in Jerusalem. Their rock will pass away in terrorThe phrase "Their rock" refers to the false sense of security and strength that the people of Judah had placed in their alliances and military might, rather than in God. In Hebrew, the word for "rock" is "tsur," often used metaphorically in the Bible to denote a source of strength or refuge. Historically, the people of Judah had sought protection from Assyrian threats through alliances with Egypt, which God viewed as a misplaced trust. The "rock" they relied on would "pass away in terror," indicating that their false securities would crumble in the face of divine judgment. This serves as a reminder that only God is the true and unshakeable rock, a theme echoed throughout Scripture (e.g., Psalm 18:2). and their princes will panic at the sight of the battle standard
The "princes" here are the leaders of Judah, who were responsible for guiding the nation. The Hebrew word for "princes" is "sarim," which can also mean rulers or officials. These leaders, who had placed their confidence in human alliances, would "panic" when confronted with the reality of God's judgment. The "battle standard" symbolizes the impending judgment and the presence of God's power in battle. Historically, battle standards were used to rally troops and signify the presence of an army. The sight of this standard would cause fear and confusion among the leaders, highlighting their vulnerability without God's protection. declares the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, whose furnace is in Jerusalem
This declaration by "the LORD" emphasizes the authority and certainty of the prophecy. The imagery of "fire" and "furnace" in "Zion" and "Jerusalem" is rich with meaning. In Hebrew, "fire" (esh) often symbolizes God's presence, judgment, and purification. Zion, representing the spiritual heart of Israel, and Jerusalem, the political and religious center, are depicted as places where God's refining fire resides. The "furnace" suggests a process of purification and judgment, where impurities are burned away. This imagery reassures the faithful that God is actively working within His chosen city, both to purify His people and to execute judgment on those who oppose His will. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and His commitment to His covenant people. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is depicted as a powerful and protective force for His people. 2. AssyriaA dominant empire during the time of Isaiah, known for its military might and oppression of Israel. 3. The RockA metaphor for God, symbolizing strength, stability, and refuge. 4. JerusalemThe capital city of Judah, representing the spiritual and political heart of God's people. 5. IsaiahThe prophet who conveyed God's messages to the people of Judah, warning them against relying on foreign powers instead of God. Teaching Points Reliance on God Over Human StrengthTrust in God should supersede reliance on worldly powers or alliances. Just as Judah was warned against depending on Assyria, we must prioritize our faith in God's sovereignty. God as Our RockThe imagery of God as a rock emphasizes His unchanging nature and reliability. In times of trouble, we should seek refuge in His strength and stability. The Futility of Opposing GodThe verse highlights the futility of opposing God's will. Assyria's downfall serves as a reminder that no earthly power can stand against God's purposes. The Importance of Spiritual VigilanceJust as Jerusalem needed to remain spiritually vigilant, we must be aware of the spiritual battles we face and rely on God's guidance and protection. God's Sovereign ProtectionGod's protection is assured for those who trust in Him. This assurance should encourage us to live boldly and confidently in our faith. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of God as a "rock" in Isaiah 31:9 enhance your understanding of His character and reliability? 2. In what ways can we be tempted to rely on "Assyrias" in our lives today, and how can we shift our trust back to God? 3. How does the downfall of Assyria serve as a warning against pride and self-reliance in our own lives? 4. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure that your reliance is on God rather than on worldly powers or solutions? 5. How do the connections to other scriptures, such as Psalm 18:2 and Proverbs 18:10, deepen your understanding of God's role as a protector and refuge? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 30:1-3This passage warns against forming alliances with Egypt, emphasizing reliance on God rather than human powers. Psalm 18:2Describes God as a rock and fortress, reinforcing the imagery of God as a place of refuge and strength. 2 Kings 19:35-37Details the defeat of the Assyrian army, illustrating God's power to protect His people without their reliance on foreign alliances. Deuteronomy 32:4Refers to God as the Rock, highlighting His perfect work and justice. Proverbs 18:10Speaks of the name of the LORD as a strong tower, where the righteous find safety. People Egyptians, Isaiah, Israelites, JeremiahPlaces Egypt, Jerusalem, Mount Zion, ZionTopics Affirmation, Affrighted, Afraid, Altar, Banner, Battle, Chiefs, Commanders, Declares, Desert, Dismayed, Ensign, Fall, Fear, Fire, Flag, Flight, Furnace, Hold, Jerusalem, Nothing, Officers, Panic, Pass, Passeth, Princes, Reason, Rock, Says, Sight, Standard, Strong, Terrified, Terror, ZionDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 31:9 5223 banner
5321 furnace
7241 Jerusalem, significance 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 31:9 NIVIsaiah 31:9 NLTIsaiah 31:9 ESVIsaiah 31:9 NASBIsaiah 31:9 KJV
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