31:1It was wrong for Judah to look to other nations for military help. (1) They were trusting in human beings instead of God. Judah sought protection from those who were powerless when compared to God. Both Egypt and Judah would fall as a result of their arrogance. (2) They were serving their own interests instead of God's, and thus they did not even consult him. They violated God’s stipulation in Deuteronomy 17:16. (3) They did not want to pay the price of looking to God and repenting of their sinful ways. When we have problems, it is good to seek help, but we must never bypass God or his previous directions to us.
Life Application Study BibleIsaiahChapter 31
Isaiah 31
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original page: 1139
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31Isaiah 31
2In his wisdom, the LORD will send great disaster;he will not change his mind.He will rise against the wickedand against their helpers.
3For these Egyptians are mere humans, not God!Their horses are puny flesh, not mighty spirits!When the LORD raises his fist against them,those who help will stumble,and those being helped will fall.They will all fall down and die together.
4But this is what the LORD has told me:“When a strong young lionstands growling over a sheep it has killed,it is not frightened by the shouts and noiseof a whole crowd of shepherds.In the same way, the LORD of Heaven’s Armieswill come down and fight on Mount Zion.
5The LORD of Heaven's Armies will hover over Jerusalemand protect it like a bird protecting its nest.He will defend and save the city;he will pass over it and rescue it.”
6Though you are such wicked rebels, my people, come and return to the LORD. 7I know the glorious day will come when each of you will throw away the gold idols and silver images your sinful hands have made.
8“The Assyrians will be destroyed,but not by the swords of men.The sword of God will strike them,and they will panic and flee.The strong young Assyrianswill be taken away as captives.
9Even the strongest will quake with terror,and princes will flee when they see your battle flags,”says the LORD, whose fire burns in Zion,whose flame blazes from Jerusalem.
Israel's Ultimate Deliverance
3 2 1 Look, a righteous king is coming!
Life Application Notes 2 notes
31:7Someday these people would throw their idols away, fecognizing that they were nothing but human-made objects. Idols such as money, fame, or success are seductive. Instead of contributing to our spiritual development, they rob us of our time, energy, and devotion that ought to be directed toward God. At first our idols seem exciting and promise to take us Places, but in the end we will find that we have become their Slaves. We need to recognize their worthlessness now, before they rob us of our freedom.