READ: Is. 31:1-9: Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help … But who do not … seek the LORD! Now the Egyptians are men, and not God … When the LORD stretches out His hand, both he who helps will fall, and he who is helped will fall down; they all will perish together … As a lion roars … so the LORD of hosts will come down to fight for Mount Zion and for its hill … Return to Him … Then Assyria shall fall by a sword not of man, and a sword not of mankind shall devour him …
After the LORD assured His people at the end of chapter 30 of His terrible judgment on Assyria, the kingdom of the great adversary, He now addresses His own people through Isaiah. Judah continues to seek help from Egypt instead of the LORD. But they must realize that human help is nothing compared to God’s help.
They may be impressed by the number of horses, chariots, and riders, but these remain mere humans, animals, and human-made things. Their strength is absolutely nothing compared to the divine power that the LORD possesses.
If you do not heed the Holy God of Israel, failing to seek your help from Him, He will turn against you. Then both the Egyptian army and those in Judah who put their trust in it will perish. Let Judah understand this!
God’s power is compared to the strength of a young lion going after its prey, unafraid of the opposition from shepherds. God assures His people of His divine protection. But they must repent and cast away all idols (verses 6,7).
The LORD will be a Warrior for those who, in faith, seek their help from Him who devours His enemies with the sword (compare Rev. 19:15,21). This is figurative language, as it is not a human sword (2 Kin. 19:35-37). Those who survive will flee in panic.
Ultimately, the LORD will bring judgment upon them all. As a symbol of this, we have the fire and furnace in Jerusalem. That final judgment will be the most terrifying (Rev. 18:9-10; 19:20).
What kind of help do we need from the LORD?
Sing: Ps. 62:1