Isaiah 31

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:2-3

The folly of trusting in an arm of flesh. "Put not your trust in princes, nor in any child of man ," says the psalmist ( Psalms 146:3 ); " for there is no help in them." All human props are uncertain— I. BECAUSE OF HUMAN CHANGEFULNESS . Men do not continue always of one mind. They make promises, and regret that they have made them, and find some way of escaping their force, or else boldly break them with a cynical disregard to what others may think or say. Their interests... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:3

Now the Egyptians are men, and not God . Judah relied on Pharaoh, as on a sort of God, which indeed he was considered in his own country. Isaiah asserts the contrary in the strongest way: the Egyptians, one and all, are men—mere men; and "there is no help in them" ( Psalms 146:3 ). Their horses flesh, and not spirit . The horses, on which so much reliance was placed, were mere animals, subject to all the weakness of the animal nature, not spirit-horses, with a life and vigor of their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:3

The help of Egypt. A party in Judah is negotiating with Egypt; and the prophet points out the falseness of this policy. I. IT IS A RELIANCE UPON BRUTE FORCE . "Horses" are symbolic of martial strength. And Judah, being peculiarly deficient in cavalry, was " tempted to trust in Egypt for chariots and horsemen" ( Isaiah 36:8 , Isaiah 36:9 ). Famed in Homer was Egyptian Thebes, with the hundred gates, and the two hundred men who issued forth from each with horses and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:4

Like as the lion , etc. The resemblance of this simile to Hem; 'Iliad,' 18.11. 161, 162, has been often noticed. In both, the lion has seized his prey, and is crouching over it; the shepherds gather themselves together against him, and seek to scare him away; but he remains firm, undaunted by their threats and cries, never for a moment relinquishing the body of which he has made himself the master. The image is best explained as representing Jehovah, standing over and keeping guard on... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:4

God unhindered by fears of man. We fear and tremble before boastful words and a great show of force, but we may well remember that God does not. He reckons it all at its true worth, and goes on with his Divine working quite unmoved by all the rage. The figure in this verse needs careful explanation. The allusion is to the boastings and threatenings of Sennacherib. God has undertaken to defend the city of Jerusalem. As the lion will not give up his prey, so Jehovah will not allow the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:4-6

Similes of the nature and power of Jehovah. I. THE LION . He is pictured watching over the holy city, the "peculiar treasure," the invisible Sanctuary of the religion and the people, as a lion over its prey, in the presence of threatening shepherds. "As from a carcase herdsmen strive in vain To scare a tawny lion, hunger-pinch'd; Ev'n so th' Ajaces, mail-clad warriors, faird The son of Priam from the corse to scare." ('Iliad,' 18.161.) It is a fine image—found twice in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:4-9

A PROMISE OF PROTECTION , AND OF THE DISCOMFITURE OF ASSYRIA . In the promise of protection ( Isaiah 31:4 , Isaiah 31:5 ) there is nothing new but the imagery, which is of remarkable beauty. The promise is followed by a brief exhortation ( Isaiah 31:6 , Isaiah 31:7 ); and then the discomfiture of Assyria is declared in the plainest terms, and her flight before the avenging sword of God ( Isaiah 31:8 , Isaiah 31:9 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:5

As birds flying ; rather, as birds hovering , or fluttering , ever their young, to protect them. A second simile, expressive of tenderness, as the former one was of power and strength. Defending, also , etc. Translate, defending and delivering , passing over and preserving . In the word "passing over" there seems to be a reference to the institution of the Passover, when the angel, sometimes identified with Jehovah himself, "passed ever" and spared the Israelites. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:6

Turn ye unto him . Then, at any rate, if not before, turn to him who will have delivered you from so great a peril. "Turn to him, O children of Israel, from whom men have so deeply revolted." The third person is used instead of the second, out of tenderness, not to hurt their feelings by mingling with promise an open rebuke. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:6

Turning to God in giving up sin. Connect with Isaiah 31:7 . Here is indicated one essential characteristic of a genuine conversion or reformation. Two kinds of " turning " are suggested. I. TURNING TO GOD AS A VOICELESS SENTIMENT . Merely good sentiments, revivalistic emotions, gushing fervors, temporary excitements, have no voice that can reach to God. II. TURNING TO GOD SPEAKING THROUGH ACTS . Putting away idols—God can hear that. He knows what that... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:2-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:4-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:4-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:6

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