Isaiah 31 DBY
Summary: Isaiah renews the warning against relying on Egypt's horses and chariots instead of the Holy One of Israel, insisting the Egyptians are men, not God, and their horses flesh, not spirit, so that when the LORD stretches out His hand both helper and helped will fall together. He compares the LORD's defense of Jerusalem to a lion undeterred by shepherds, and to birds hovering protectively over their young, promising He will defend and deliver the city, "passing over" it as in the Passover imagery. The chapter calls Israel to turn back to the God they have deeply rebelled against, foreseeing a day when everyone will cast away idols of silver and gold as detestable. It closes announcing Assyria's fall by a sword not of man, fleeing in terror before a devouring fire and furnace in Jerusalem.
1Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help, and depend on horses, and confide in chariots because [they are] many, and in horsemen because they are very strong; and who look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek Jehovah!
2But he also is wise, and he bringeth evil, and recalleth not his words; and he will arise against the house of evildoers, and against the help of workers of iniquity.
3And the Egyptians are men, and notGod, and their horses flesh, and not spirit; and Jehovah shall stretch forth his hand, and he that helpeth shall stumble, and he that is helped shall fall, and they all shall perish together.
4For thus hath Jehovah said unto me: Like as the lion and the young lion growling over his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, is not afraid of their voice, nor giveth way before the multitude of them; so will Jehovah of hosts come down to war upon mount Zion, and on the hill thereof.
5As birds with outstretched wings, so will Jehovah of hosts cover Jerusalem; covering, he will also deliver, passing over, he will rescue [it].
6Turn unto him from whom ye have deeply revolted, ye children of Israel;
7for in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold, which your sinful hands have made unto you.
8And Asshur shall fall by the sword, not of a great man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: and he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall become tributary;
9and for fear, he shall pass over to his rock, and his princes shall be afraid of the banner, saith Jehovah, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.
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