Isaiah 31

1 vae qui descendunt in Aegyptum ad auxilium in equis sperantes et habentes fiduciam super quadrigis quia multae sunt et super equitibus quia praevalidi nimis et non sunt confisi super Sanctum Israhel et Dominum non requisierunt

2 ipse autem sapiens adduxit malum et verba sua non abstulit et consurget contra domum pessimorum et contra auxilium operantium iniquitatem

3 Aegyptus homo et non deus et equi eorum caro et non spiritus et Dominus inclinabit manum suam et corruet auxiliator et cadet cui praestatur auxilium simulque omnes consumentur

4 quia haec dicit Dominus ad me quomodo si rugiat leo et catulus leonis super praedam suam cum occurrerit ei multitudo pastorum a voce eorum non formidabit et a multitudine eorum non pavebit sic descendet Dominus exercituum ut proelietur super montem Sion et super collem eius

5 sicut aves volantes sic proteget Dominus exercituum Hierusalem protegens et liberans transiens et salvans

6 convertimini sicut in profundum recesseratis filii Israhel

7 in die enim illa abiciet vir idola argenti sui et idola auri sui quae fecerunt vobis manus vestrae in peccatum

8 et cadet Assur in gladio non viri et gladius non hominis vorabit eum et fugiet non a facie gladii et iuvenes eius vectigales erunt

9 et fortitudo eius a terrore transibit et pavebunt fugientes principes eius dixit Dominus cuius ignis est in Sion et caminus eius in Hierusalem

Isaiah 31 Commentary

Chapter 31

The sin and folly of seeking help from Egypt. (1-5) God's care for Jerusalem. (6-9)

Verses 1-5 God will oppose the help sought from workers of iniquity. Sinners may be convicted of folly by plain and self-evident truths, which they cannot deny, but will not believe. There is no escaping the judgments of God; and evil pursues sinners. The Lord of hosts will come down to fight for Mount Zion. The Lion of the tribe of Judah will appear for the defence of his church. And as birds hovering over their young ones to protect them, with such compassion and affection will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem. He will so defend it, as to secure its safety.

Verses 6-9 They have been backsliding children, yet children; let them return, and their backslidings shall be healed, though they have sunk deep into misery, and cannot easily recover. Many make an idol of their silver and gold, and by the love of that are drawn from God; but those who turn to God, will be ready to part with it. Then, when they have cast away their idols, shall the Assyrian fall by the sword of an angel, who strikes more strongly than a mighty man, yet more secretly than a mean man. God can make the stoutest heart to tremble. But if we keep up the fire of holy love and devotion in our hearts and houses, we may depend upon God to protect us and them.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 31

This chapter denounces woe to those that trusted in the Egyptians; assures the Jews of God's care and protection of them; calls them to repentance, and foretells the destruction of the Assyrian army. The sin of those that trusted in Egypt, with the reasons of their trust, and not looking to the Lord, and seeking him, is declared in Isa 31:1 and their folly exposed in so doing; since the Lord is wise, powerful, and unchangeable, and the Egyptians frail and weak; so that the helper and the helped must fall before him, Isa 31:2,3 whereas protection might be expected from the Lord, as is promised, whose power is like that of the lion, and whose tender care is like that of birds to defend their young, Isa 31:4,5 wherefore the Jews are called upon to return to the Lord by repentance, from whom they had revolted; which would be shown by their detestation of idolatry, the sin they had been guilty of, Isa 31:6,7 and the chapter is closed with a prophecy of the ruin of the Assyrian army, and the flight of their king, Isa 31:8,9.