Isaiah 31:1 says, Woe 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! Matthew Henry points out that this is the last of four chapters that begin with woe, and they all speak of woe to the sinners that were found among the professing people of God. The sin here was idolizing the Egyptians. The people of Israel were looking to Egypt with all their horses and chariots for protection instead of looking to God for His protection. They thought that the Egyptians would be better equipped to deal with the Assyrians than they were by putting their faith in God. As followers of Christ, we should never look to anyone else for our strength and protection spiritually in this world, no matter how powerful they may be.
Verse two adds, Yet 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. The people of Israel, God’s Chosen people, looked to Egypt because they were known to be good in war, but they were not as wise or powerful as God. If we do not rely on God’s wisdom to guide us in bad situations but look to the world for answers instead, we will find ourselves with nothing but woe because of it. There is none more wise or powerful than God, so He is the One we should always look to for deliverance spiritually. I will not say that we will always be victorious physically, but if we are putting our faith in anyone or anything other than God for victory, even if we are victorious in this lifetime, we will still fail spiritually. As Christians, we must always first and foremost put our faith in God and rely on His protection and deliverance.
Verse three continues, 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. Isaiah told the people that God would remind them that the Egyptians were but men, and they were not undefeatable, but they were supposed to be serving God Who is undefeatable. We as a Christian nation can put our faith in military might, but we should be putting our faith in God instead.
Verse four states, For 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. Isaiah said that God would appear like a lion over its prey as He protected Israel. If we are having problems in life today as followers of Christ, we should look to God, and not the world, for answers. He is still like the powerful lion able to spiritually protect those who are His people. The victory is already His, and ours through our faith in Jesus Christ, no matter what happens in this lifetime.
Verse five adds, As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it. Isaiah said that God would be like a bird who defends her young in His protection of Jerusalem. Israel, and even Jerusalem, were never powerful because of their own strength and ability, but were so because of the power and protection of God. We as followers of Christ today still have that same protection spiritually, which is what really matters. We might have more physical success by putting our faith in something other than God, but it will be a temporary success.
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