Chapter 31
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!
2Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity.
3Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.
4For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.
5As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.
6Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.
7For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin.
8Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited.
9And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.
“Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.”
Overview
Isaiah rebukes those who go to Egypt for help, trusting in chariots and horses rather than looking to the Holy One of Israel. The Egyptians are men, not God, and their horses are flesh, not spirit. Yet when the Lord stretches out His hand, both helper and helped will fall together. The chapter concludes with the promise that the Lord of hosts will defend Jerusalem like birds hovering over their young — He will pass over it and preserve it.
Key Themes
Flesh vs. Spirit in National Security
The stark contrast between Egyptian horses (flesh) and God (spirit) exposes the folly of trusting in military might rather than the Almighty.
God's Protective Hovering Over Jerusalem
Like birds protecting their young, the Lord of hosts will defend and deliver Jerusalem, passing over it — an echo of the Passover deliverance.
The Call to Turn from Idols
Isaiah calls Israel to turn from the idols their own hands have made, recognizing that no created thing can substitute for the Creator.
Study Questions
What does the contrast between 'flesh' and 'spirit' (v. 3) teach about the nature of true security?
How does the image of birds hovering over their young (v. 5) reveal God's heart toward Jerusalem?
Why does Isaiah link the military alliance with Egypt to idolatry (vv. 6-7)?
What does it mean that God will 'fight for mount Zion' (v. 4)?
How does this chapter challenge our own tendencies to seek human solutions to spiritual problems?
Connection to Christ
Jesus echoed the bird imagery when He lamented, 'How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!' (Matthew 23:37). Christ is the God who hovers protectively over His people, longing to shelter them.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Isaiah 31. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?