Isaiah

Isaiah 31: God defends the city He claims

Begin in prayer

Before we compare Egypt’s horses with the Lord’s power, let us bring Him our fears. Ask God to turn our family from false help and lead us to the Savior who can defend His people.

Don’t put your trust in princes, each a son of man in whom there is no help.

Psalm 146:3

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us the weakness of help we trust while forgetting You. Teach us to turn from sin and depend on Jesus, the mighty Savior. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

God warns those who seek Egypt’s many chariots and strong horsemen while refusing to seek Him. His wisdom will bring disaster, and He will keep the words of judgment He has spoken. Egyptians and their horses are mortal, so helper and helped will fall together beneath His hand. God compares His defense of Zion to a lion unafraid of shouting shepherds and birds hovering over their young. Israel must return from its deep revolt and cast away the silver and gold idols its hands have made. Assyria will fall by a sword beyond human power, with its young men forced into labor and its princes terrified.

As you read Isaiah 31, look for the answers:

• Whom do the people fail to seek while trusting Egypt? (verse 1)
• What do the lion and hovering birds show about God’s defense? (verses 4 and 5)
• What must Israel do with its handmade idols? (verses 6 and 7)

Reflect together

Key truth

God exposes Egypt’s weakness and defends Jerusalem by His own power.

The sin is dependence on Egypt joined to neglect of the Holy One. Judah’s leaders went down to Egypt for horses and chariots to face Assyria (verse 1), and Egypt’s horses are flesh, not spirit (verse 3). When His hand stretches out, the alliance cannot keep either helper or helped from being consumed. The lion picture shows a purpose that a crowd’s noise cannot frighten away. Hovering birds picture His protective care for Jerusalem. These promises accompany a command to return from deep rebellion and throw away handmade idols. Assyria’s defeat will come from God’s power, beyond any human sword. The fire and furnace in Zion declare that the LORD is present there to defend and judge.

How does Isaiah 31 show us that God exposes Egypt’s weakness and defends Jerusalem by His own power?

God’s wisdom exposes the weakness of human help.

The people count horses and chariots while neglecting the LORD. His word of judgment will stand. When His hand rises, both the helper and the helped will fall and be consumed.

God’s purpose to defend cannot be frightened away.

The lion remains over its prey despite the shepherds’ shouting. God’s resolve to fight on Zion is just as firm. The birds hovering above their young show the care with which He protects Jerusalem.

God’s promised defense calls rebels to return.

Israel has revolted against the LORD who promises to preserve the city. The idols made by their own hands are named as sin. Returning to Him means throwing those silver and gold images away.

Memorise

As birds hovering, so Yahweh of Armies will protect Jerusalem. He will protect and deliver it. He will pass over and preserve it.

Isaiah 31:5

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, who do I run to first when I am afraid?

Egypt’s horsemen look strong until God stretches out His hand. Israel has neglected Him and must hear, “Return to him from whom you have deeply revolted.” The Lord who commands that return also promises to defend His city.

Our revolt leaves us guilty before the One whose power no alliance can resist. Jesus paid the ransom with His life to bring His people back to God. He rose, and no horse or chariot of Egypt can match His strength. His rescue is complete once for all, and no human strength needs to finish it.

Turn from the rebellion you have defended and place your faith in Jesus. He gives forgiveness to all who believe in Him. Leave the false helps that keep your heart away from God. The living Savior receives returning sinners and keeps those who belong to Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God defends Jerusalem Himself, and that Jesus is a safe refuge for all who trust Him. Please explain the command to leave idols beside the promise of defense. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His power defends His people and exposes the help they falsely trust, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.

Matthew 6:10

Lord, thank You that Your power exceeds every strength we can count. Please turn us back from sin to trust in Christ. Help us seek You when we are afraid and give up the false hopes we have made. Show our family how to depend on Your Word this week. Amen.