Isaiah 31 Devotional

A Better Helper Than Horses

“But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble, and the one he helps will fall; both will perish together.”Isaiah 31:3 (BSB)

Once again Judah looks to Egypt's horses and chariots. The problem is not only poor strategy. They never turn to the Holy One of Israel or seek the LORD (31:1). Isaiah states the difference plainly. Egypt's soldiers are mortal, not divine, and its horses are mere animals. When the LORD acts, helper and helped fall together (31:3).

Then the chapter gives two pictures of the LORD himself. He is like a lion growling over its prey, unmoved by a crowd of shouting shepherds, coming down to fight for Mount Zion. And he is like birds hovering overhead, shielding Jerusalem (31:4-5). He is fierce toward enemies and tender toward his own. So the call is to return to the One they have rebelled against and throw away idols made by their own hands (31:6-7). Assyria will fall, though no human sword strikes it (31:8). Human help is real but limited. Trusting God does not mean refusing to plan; it means knowing who actually defends you.

To think about: Which human resource are you leaning on most heavily right now, and how might you seek the LORD first in that area?