That go down to Egypt for help; as the Jews did, contrary to God’s command, Deuteronomy 17:16. And stay on horses; for Egypt had many and choice horses. They look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord; their confidence in the creature was accompanied with and did produce a distrust of God, and a neglect of seeking to him by prayer for his help. read more
He also is wise: you think you are wise, and act wisely in engaging the Egyptians, who are a wise and warlike people, to help you; but God is not inferior to them in wisdom nor in strength, but much their superior; and therefore you have done foolishly and wickedly in preferring them before him. Will bring evil; will execute his judgments upon you, notwithstanding all that you or your allies the Egyptians can do to hinder it. Will not call back his words, his threatenings denounced against you,... read more
Are men, and not God; and therefore utterly unable to defend you, either without or against my will. Their horses flesh; weak and frail, as that word signifies, Psalms 78:39; Hebrews 5:7, and elsewhere. Not spirit; not like spiritual substances, such as the angels, who are immortal, and invisible by men; whereof we have instances, Exodus 12:29,Exodus 12:30; Isaiah 37:36. read more
For; or, but; or, nevertheless, as this particle is elsewhere used, as hath been proved before. Although you have done evil in sending to Egypt for help, and they shall not be able to help you; yet the Lord himself will, of his own grace, and for the glory of his own name, give you that help and deliverance which you do not deserve, and have no reason to expect from him. And therefore desist from those evil courtels and courses, as those which are both unnecessary and pernicious. Roaring on his... read more
As birds flying; which come from above, and so cannot be kept off; which fly swiftly, and engage themselves Valiantly and resolutely, when they perceive that their young ones are in eminent danger. He seems to allude, and to oppose this, to those boasting expressions of the Assyrian, Isaiah 10:14; compare Deuteronomy 32:11,Deuteronomy 32:12; Matthew 23:37. Passing over; the destroying angel shall pass over Jerusalem untouched, and shall fall upon the Assyrians. He seems to allude to the history... read more
Turn ye unto him; let the consideration of this gracious promise engage you to repent of your carnal policies, in seeking and trusting to Egypt for help, and sincerely to return to God. The children of Israel; either, 1. The Israelites, strictly so called, who are now utterly destroyed for their apostacy; and therefore take heed that you do not follow their example. Or, 2. You Jews, who are the children of Israel; which title he here gives them, partly to admonish them of their great and many... read more
For when the Assyrian shall invade your land, you shall find the vanity of those idols to which you have trusted; and therefore shall cast them away with indignation, and be forced to seek to me for help. So this is added as an argument to persuade them to practise his counsel of turning to God. Which your own hands have made unto you for a sin; which you have made as instruments of your sin of idolatry. Or, which your sinful hands (by a common Hebraism, called hands of sin) have made for you.... read more
Then; when you have cast away your idols, and seriously sought to me for help; both which things were performed by Hezekiah. With the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man; by the sword, not of any man, either mean or mighty, but of an angel. From the sword; from, or for fear of, that plague which so strangely and suddenly destroyed his army. His young men, Heb. his choice young men; his guards and valiant commanders and soldiers. Shall be discomfited, Heb. shall melt... read more
He shall pass over to his strong hold; Sennacherib shall flee away, with all speed, from Jerusalem, to his strong city of Nineveh, Isaiah 37:37. Or, as it is in the margin, and as the words lie in the Hebrew text, his rock (i.e. his strength, the greatest champions of his army, to whom he trusted) shall pass away (shall flee with all speed from Jerusalem) for fear, lest the sword of the destroying angel should overtake them. Of the ensign; either, 1. Of any ensign. This dreadful judgment shall... read more
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Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Isaiah 31
ISAIAH CHAPTER 31 The folly and punishment of trust in Egypt, Isaiah 31:1-3. God will fight for Jerusalem, Isaiah 31:4,Isaiah 31:5, if they will turn unto him, Isaiah 31:6,Isaiah 31:7. The fall of Assyria, Isaiah 31:8,Isaiah 31:9. read more