Isaiah 31, The Nations, Mere Mortals

Chapters 28 through 35 give local prophecies that support the accuracy of the more global prophecies. Israel's two main concerns are the kingdom of Assyria in the east and Egypt in the west. These will play a prominent part in these next eight chapters. Six sections will open with hoy, a cry often translated "Woe!" The first four sections begin at 28:1, 29:1, 29:15, 30:1; the fifth section is here. It continues for two chapters.

Isaiah 31:1-2, Alliance with Egypt

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,

    who rely on horses,

who trust in the multitude of their chariots

    and in the great strength of their horsemen,

but do not look to the Holy One of Israel,

    or seek help from the LORD.

Yet he too is wise and can bring disaster;

    he does not take back his words.

He will rise up against that wicked nation,

    against those who help evildoers.

The leaders of Israel rely on their chariots and horses. The leaders of Israel may think themselves wise, but YHWH is "also wise" and much more powerful.

Isaiah 31:3, Mere mortals

But the Egyptians are mere mortals and not God;

    their horses are flesh and not spirit.

When the LORD stretches out his hand,

those who help will stumble,

    those who are helped will fall;

    all will perish together.

The leaders of Israel need to remember that the people of Egypt are mere mortals; their weapons and horses are nothing to YHWH. The people are mere flesh and blood, as are their horses. YHWH can bring both down.

In Deuteronomy 4:34, YHWH is described as defending Israel against Egypt by "a mighty hand and an outstretched arm." The stretched out hand in verse 3 echoes those days.

Isaiah 31:4-5, Like a lion, like a bird of prey

This is what the LORD says to me:

“As a lion growls,

    a great lion over its prey—

and though a whole band of shepherds

    is called together against it,

it is not frightened by their shouts

    or disturbed by their clamor—

so the LORD Almighty will come down

    to do battle on Mount Zion and on its heights.

Like birds hovering overhead,

    the LORD Almighty will shield Jerusalem;

he will shield it and deliver it,

    he will ‘pass over’ it and will rescue it.”

YHWH will hover over Mount Zion; like a lion He will protect it; like a bird of prey He will be a shield.

The description of the lion is interesting -- the scary lion entering the village and taking down a lamb is unperturbed by people shouting at it or making loud noises. Commentators have attempted to identify a the lion as a particular nation -- Assyria? or even God Himself? -- but I don't think that is unnecessary.

In addition to protecting Jerusalem, God will also "pass over it" (verse 5), possibly an allusion to the Passover of Exodus 12.

Isaiah 31:6-9, Return

Return, you Israelites, to the One you have so greatly revolted against. For in that day every one of you will reject the idols of silver and gold your sinful hands have made.

“Assyria will fall by no human sword;

    a sword, not of mortals, will devour them.

They will flee before the sword

    and their young men will be put to forced labor.

Their stronghold will fall because of terror;

    at the sight of the battle standard their commanders will panic,”

declares the LORD,

    whose fire is in Zion,

    whose furnace is in Jerusalem.

YHWH calls Israel back, calling for them to return. Their idols are worthless. (The Hebrew word translated "worthless idol" is elil; which Motyer translates as "no-gods".) Assyria will eventually be brought down and it will be YHWH who does that.