For in that day every man shall cast away his idols. "In that day"—the day of Assyria's discomfiture—shall the vanity of idols be seen and recognized. They have not helped Assyria. How should they help Judah (comp. Isaiah 30:22 )? read more
The fire of Jehovah. I. " OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FINE ." He burns from that sacred oracular center in Jerusalem. And his foes are seen melting away before him—the Assyrian fleeing from and falling before the sword, the huge rock of his power disappearing, princes falling into panic terror as the rallying signal of Judah is raised. The briars and thorns of iniquity, all the weed-like growth of worldly ways are kindled and devoured. II. OUR GOD IS A LIGHT OF ... read more
Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man ; rather, and Assyria shall fall by the sword of one who is not a man Assyria's destruction will not be by the visible swords of human enemies, but by the invisible sword of God. And the sword , not of a mean man, shall devour him ; rather, and the sword of one who is not a mortal shall detour him—an instance of "synonymous parallelism." He shall flee ; more literally, betake himself to flight . His young men... read more
The surprise of the Lord's deliverances. No inhabitant of Jerusalem could have imagined how God intended to deliver the city from Sennacherib. God's way is in the sea, his footsteps are not known; but he leads his people safely like a flock. The following points will recall familiar illustrations. I. GOD 'S PROMISED DELIVERANCES ALWAYS DO COME . "If it tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not tarry." "No good thing has failed God's people of all that he has... read more
Fleeing away. Here is a prophetic vision of flight, which may suggest other kinds and instances of "fleeing away." Sennacherib comes up vain-gloriously against Jerusalem, confidently reckoning on complete success, thinking to swallow up Judah as a pleasant morsel; and, behold! he is found hurrying homewards as one that is pursued by overtaking legions, not staying at his first fortification, but, in his terror and humiliation, "passing on beyond his stronghold" for fear, his princes " ... read more
And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear ; rather, and his Rock shall pass away for fear (marginal rendering). It is generally agreed by recent commentators (Kay, Delitzsch, Cheyne), that the rock intended, which is contrasted with the "princes" of the next clause, is Assyria's king (see the contrast of the king, who is "a great rock ," and his princes, in Isaiah 32:1 , Isaiah 32:2 ). (On the hurried flight of Sennacherib to Nineveh, see below, Isaiah 37:37 .) His... read more
The rock of Assyria and the Rock of Israel. In each case the "rock" was But in all other respects the contrast between the two was extreme, the difference immeasurable. I. ASSYRIA 'S ROCK — SENNACHERIB . A man, a weak, fallible, ephemeral man—the creature of an hour—mortal, soon wearied, needing rest and sleep, liable to sickness, daily losing strength, approaching nearer and nearer to the grave. And not only a man, but a wicked man—proud, cruel, contemptuous of his foes,... read more
It is evident that this chapter was composed at about the same time as the preceding, and relates to the same subject. The general object, like the former, is to dissuade the Jews from their contemplated alliance with Egypt, and to lead them to rely on God. In doing this, the prophet first denounces a woe on those who went down to Egypt to seek aid Isaiah 31:1; he then states that God will punish them for it Isaiah 31:2; he then urges the utter inability of the Egyptians to furnish the aid... read more
Wo - (see the note at Isaiah 30:1).To them that go down to Egypt - (see the note at Isaiah 30:2).And stay on horses - (see the note at Isaiah 30:16).And trust in chariots - (see the note at Isaiah 21:7). That they were often used in war, is apparent from the following places Joshua 11:4; Judges 1:19; 1 Samuel 13:5; 2 Samuel 8:4.Because they are many - Because they hope to secure the aid of many. See the references above. It is evident that their confidence in them would be in proportion to the... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:6-7
Deep disloyalty. The children of Israel had "deeply revolted" from God by preferring Egyptian cavalry to the defense of almighty power. This preference of the human and the material to the Divine is only too common everywhere. I. THE DISLOYAL ATTITUDE OF MANKIND TOWARDS GOD . Mankind is in revolt against the Divine rule. We have all said in our hearts, "We will not have this One to reign over us." 1. God righteously claims our allegiance—the homage of our hearts, the... read more