Isaiah 31 explained: Don't Lean on Egypt's Horses

Trusting Egypt's chariots (vv. 1-3)

Facing invasion by the Assyrian empire, Judah's leaders sought help from Egypt, famous for its horses and chariots, instead of turning to the LORD. Isaiah says Egypt is only human and its horses only flesh, so when God acts, the helper and the helped will fall together.

A lion and hovering birds (vv. 4-5)

A lion unafraid of shouting shepherds pictures God's fearless strength, and birds hovering over their nest picture his tender care for Jerusalem. The rare word 'pass over' is the one used in the Passover story, when death passed over Israelite homes in Egypt, and many readers think that echo is meant to stand out here.

A call to come back (vv. 6-7)

Isaiah urges the people to return to the God they have turned away from. He expects that when rescue comes, they will throw away their silver and gold idols as useless.

Assyria falls without human swords (vv. 8-9)

Assyria will be defeated by God's own unseen 'sword' rather than by any army, and later in Isaiah the Assyrian force outside Jerusalem is struck down in a night and its king goes home. The 'fire' and 'furnace' in Jerusalem probably mean the temple altar fire, a sign of God's presence, though scholars are not certain of the exact image.

Key verse: Isaiah 31:3

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on whether this promised rescue was fully fulfilled when Assyria withdrew from Jerusalem in Isaiah's day or also points ahead to a future, final deliverance.

Something to think about

When you feel threatened, what do you tend to rely on for safety, and what makes it seem trustworthy to you?