Isa 31:1-9. THE CHIEF STRENGTH OF THE EGYPTIAN ARMIES LAY IN THEIR CAVALRY.
1. and stay on horses, and trust in chariots--In their level and fertile plains horses could easily be used and fed (Ex 14:9; 1Ki 10:28). In hilly Palestine horses were not so easily had or available. The Jews were therefore the more eager to get Egyptian chariots as allies against the Assyrian cavalry. In Assyrian sculptures chariots are represented drawn by three horses, and with three men in them (see Isa 36:9; Ps 20:7; Da 9:13).
2. he also is wise--as well as the Egyptian priests, so famed for
wisdom
(Ac 7:22),
but who are "fools" before Him
(Isa 19:11).
He not only devises, but executes what He devises without "calling back
His words"
(Nu 23:19).
home--the whole race.
help--the Egyptian succor sought by the Jews.
3. not spirit--not of divine power
(Ps 56:4; 146:3, 5;
Zec 4:6).
he that helpeth--Egypt.
holpen--Judah.
4.
(Isa 42:13;
Ho 11:10).
roaring on--"growling over" his prey.
abase himself--be disheartened or frightened.
5. As in the image of "the lion," the point of comparison is the
fearless might of Jehovah; so in that of the birds, it is His solicitous
affection
(De 32:11;
Ps 91:4;
Mt 23:37).
flying--Rather, "which defend" their young with their wings; "to
fly" is a secondary meaning of the Hebrew word
[MAURER]. "Hovering
over" to protect their young [G. V. SMITH].
passing over--as the destroying angel passing over, so as to spare the blood-marked houses of the Israelites on the first passover
(Ex 12:13, 23, 27).
He passed, or leaped forward [LOWTH], to
destroy the enemy and to spare His people.
6. The power and love of Jehovah, just mentioned, are the strongest
incentives for returning to Him
(Eze 16:62, 63;
Ho 6:1).
ye . . . Israel--The change of person marks that when
they return to the Lord, He will address them in more direct terms of
communion in the second person; so long as they were revolters,
God speaks of them, as more at a distance, in the third person,
rather than to them.
7. In the day of trial the idols will be found to render no help and
will therefore be cast away. Compare as to the future restoration and
conversion of Israel simultaneously with the interposition of Jehovah in
its defense,
Zec 12:9-14; 13:1, 2.
for a sin--that is, whereby especially you contracted guilt
(1Ki 12:30).
8. Assyrian--Sennacherib, representative of some powerful head of the
ungodly in the latter ages [HORSLEY].
sword, not of . . . mighty . . . mean man--but by the unseen sword of
God.
flee--Sennacherib alone fled homewards after his army had been
destroyed
(Isa 37:37).
young men--the flower of his army.
discomfited--rather, "shall be subject to slavery"; literally, "shall
be liable to tribute," that is, personal service
(De 20:11;
Jos 9:21)
[MAURER]. Or, not so well, "shall melt away"
[ROSENMULLER].
9. Rather, "shall pass beyond his strongholds"; he Shall not stop
to take refuge in it through fear
(Jud 20:47;
Jer 48:28)
[GESENIUS].
ensign--the banner of Jehovah protecting the Jews
[MAURER].
fire . . . furnace--"light" and "fire," namely, of
Jehovah's altar at Jerusalem
(Isa 29:1).
Perhaps "furnace," as distinguished from "fire," may mean that His
dwelling-place (His hearth) was at Jerusalem (compare
Isa 4:5);
or else the fiery furnace awaiting all the enemies who should
attack Jerusalem.
