Isaiah 31 Commentary
Israel has a very interesting and complicated relationship with Egypt. Abraham was in Egypt for relief and so was his son Isaac. The LORD sent Joseph to Egypt for the purpose of saving the world from starvation. Jacob spent his last years in Egypt under the care of Joseph. The nation of Israel was born in Egypt.
Many centuries would pass before the LORD would order another Joseph to flee Canaan and find refuge in Egypt. So the LORD Jesus Christ spent his early years in Egypt – Egypt having the rare privilege of hosting the Son, Immanuel!
But why is the LORD so upset about Israel’s attempted escape to Egypt? Psalm 20 verse 7 has the answer.
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” Israel has become the ‘some’ of Psalm 20. They think horses can help them. They are impressed by military mathematics! The Holy One of Israel isn’t in the picture at all.
Don’t idolize the means or the conduit that the LORD uses to help you. An income that the LORD uses to sustain you can easily become your god. Sustenance comes from the LORD. The LORD may use a cup to deliver a cool drink for your thirsty throat on a hot day. The blessing hasn’t come from the cup! Don’t run to the cup the next time you are thirsty!
Egyptians are mortals!
The LORD calls on Israel to return to Him – the source. He would protect Jerusalem. In fact, He would protect Jerusalem without human means.
Egypt has her own sins to contend with but her defeat here has everything to do with her role as Israel’s host. How often the LORD has removed human pillars to show us who the real source is! And when saints have felt that they are pillars on which another depends, the LORD sweeps down and disturbs the environment. You easily tell this fall is from the LORD.
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