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Overview

Isaiah 30 and 31 are addressing the same thing: Judah is trusting in Egypt, rather than YHWH. 

Isaiah 31:1-3

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord! And yet he is wise and brings disaster; he does not call back his words, but will arise against the house of the evildoers and against the helpers of those who work iniquity. The Egyptians are man, and not God, and their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out his hand, the helper will stumble, and he who is helped will fall, and they will all perish together.

Ever since Israel left Egypt (700 years earlier), God has commanded Israel to be careful about the idolatry of horses. To be specfic, it was not horses as much as trusting in military might rather than God. Israel was unique because it was relatively small, which only elevates and magnifies the power of God, especially when Israel continues to exist (against all human logic). 

Isaiah 31:4-5

For thus the Lord said to me, “As a lion or a young lion growls over his prey, and when a band of shepherds is called out against him he is not terrified by their shouting or daunted at their noise, so the Lord of hosts will come down to fight on Mount Zion and on its hill. Like birds hovering, so the Lord of hosts will protect Jerusalem; he will protect and deliver it; he will spare and rescue it.”

The Lord of Hosts coming down from Heaven and fighting for Jerusalem, for Judah, is an awesome image. Of course, the language is anthropomorphic. God accommodates His revelation to us, helping us understand His presence. God doesn’t have hands to physically do hand-to-hand combat. But He does fight for us. Many scholars think this is prophesying to the day when God will destroy the Assyrians. This day is talked about in Isaiah 37. God wiped out 185,000 Assyrians. The Lord of Hosts defended His people. He did it then and He still does it today.

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is found in Matthew 16:18. Jesus is talking to His disciples and asked them, “Who do people say that I am?” Peter gave the right answer. He said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Peter was right. But Jesus’ response reminds me of a general or a commander of an army. 

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matt. 16:18) 

Now Roman Catholics go too far here in my opinion, elevating the concept of the papacy of Rome. But the elevation of Peter was never Jesus’ point. It was the unshakable truth—the kingdom of God will prevail. Human kingdoms cannot destroy it. Spiritual forces cannot destroy it. The gates of Hell cannot bring it to its knees. The church will stand through it all. God will be with you through it all. There is NOTHING that can snatch you out of His all-powerful hands. Rest in that promise today.