God Protects
Isaiah 31:1–9
False Hope (1–3)
The Assyrians had been running roughshod over the lands of the Middle East. This empire was so great that eventually it would extend from the Persian Gulf all the way to Egypt itself. Israel was in the path of Assyria since this small nation was situated in such an important location, the land bridge connecting the Middle East to Egypt. All major empires had to pass through Israel to get to Egypt, a major power in the area. Egypt liked having Israel as a buffer state and often was open to an alliance with them.
The Assyrians were threatening the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah would be next. Israel looked to Egypt for help, but God, through Isaiah, confronted Hezekiah and warned him not to trust in Egypt.
This is exactly what Moses warned against in Deuteronomy 17:16, when he said for Israel not to turn to Egypt for help specifically regarding acquiring horses.
It is easy for us to criticize Hezekiah. In hindsight we can see how Israel was not to trust in other nations but rather trust in God for their help. Yet we are often guilty of doing the same thing. How often do we look to our bank account or our job for security? We may trust in our ability to get things done.
But time and again in the Bible, God tells us to trust in Him first and foremost. Proverbs 3:5–6 tells us to trust in the Lord with all our heart, not in our own ability or financial security. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33 to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness instead of trusting in riches and circumstances. So while we may look back at Hezekiah and think him foolish for his desire to secure Egypt’s help, we need to look in the mirror and see if we are doing the same — trusting in something other than God for our security.
True Faithfulness (4–5)
Isaiah tells the readers that God Himself will do battle for His people and shield Jerusalem. In fact, Isaiah says God will “pass over” Jerusalem and rescue it. The use of the verb “to pass over” is surely intentional by Isaiah as it calls to mind the Passover, the last of the plagues God sent on Egypt in order to free His people from captivity. It is no accident that Isaiah uses this considering the attempt of Hezekiah to ally with Egypt, the country that once held Israel captive. The Passover was the culmination of 10 plagues on the Egyptians as God judged Egypt and freed His people. Why would the Israelites want to go rely on Egypt, when they could rely on the One who defeated Egypt?
The Israelites’ should have trusted God, but their faith waivered. But God did not abandon them. The same is true for us today. God calls us to trust Him in every aspect of life. Our job as Christians is to seek to glorify God in how we live, how we work, raise a family, respond to authority, deal with sickness, etc. But even when we fail to live up to God’s standards, God remains faithful to His promises, and we are called to repent and turn back to God (see 1 John 1:9).
Repentance Demonstrated (6–9)
God confronts the Israelites about their idol worship, trusting in useless human creations of stone and wood, as if these can save them. God then confirms that He will defeat the Assyrians, promising that it is He who will bring victory, not Egypt.
God is no different today. He is true to His promises, and we can look forward to their fulfillment. Knowing this should bring us great encouragement and help us in our daily walk with God.
Our ultimate hope is in Christ and that He has died for us, forgiven our sins, so that we can be made right with God, living for Him now, but also in eternity. This should give us great comfort.
By Robert L. Olsen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
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