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Bible study · Isaiah 31:1-9

Isaiah 31: Men, and not God

Read Isaiah 31:1-9 before you meet.

In a few lines

When the LORD promises to protect Jerusalem, the verse says, "He will pass over and preserve it" (31:5), with the verb of "I will pass over you" (Exodus 12:13), which the Hebrew Bible has in that sense only in Exodus 12 and here. And the chapter calls the help people trusted, plainly, "men, and not God" (31:3).

The verse to carry

“As birds hovering, so the LORD of Armies will protect Jerusalem. He will protect and deliver it. He will pass over and preserve it.”

Isaiah 31:5

To talk about

  1. 1. Egypt's help looked good for plain reasons: chariots "because they are many", horsemen "because they are very strong" (31:1). What looks strong enough to lean on in your life right now, and what would it mean to "look to the Holy One of Israel" (31:1) instead?

  2. 2. "Return to him from whom you have deeply revolted" (31:6). What makes coming back to God hard after drifting a long way, and what makes it easier?

  3. 3. The chapter pictures the LORD as a lion that isn't dismayed (31:4) and as birds hovering over Jerusalem (31:5). Which picture speaks to you more this week, and why?

Prayer requests