Isaiah 31 and 32
CHAPTER 31 is a sort of supplement, in its theme, to chapter 30; a reminder of the purposes of God to punish the wicked, and to bless those who trust in Him, and a repeated call to seek God and not rely on man when in need.
He does not now say, as in chapter 31, “Woe to the rebellious children,” but “Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help”—trusting in horses, and chariots, and horsemen; not looking to God, nor seeking Him. How prone believers are in this day of ours to lean on natural things and not upon God! Thus they lose, though they do it because they think they will gain.
“Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord ... .Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.” Jer. 17:5, 7. (Read verses 5-10.)
“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God ... ..My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6, 19.
Are we wiser than God’s infallible Word?
God also (not man only, or chiefly) is wise. Indeed, what is man’s wisdom worth, in the path of a believer? “He will bring evil, and will not call back His words.” Men have to recall their words often enough, promising what they cannot perform; not so God. “He will arise against the house of the evil-doers, and against the help of them that work iniquity” (verse 2). I can safely leave all that, and every problem and perplexity, to Him; but do I? To decide without waiting on Him for direction in the things that confront us in life, is sin against Him, self-will.
There is no enjoyment such as is found in the path of simple obedience, subjecting oneself to His will, and learning it day by day in prayer and reading His Word for profit to one’s soul.
Verse 3: The Egyptians are men and not God. What is man, to lean upon. after all? Wise within a narrow compass, and rich perhaps, and resourceful, but is that safe leadership? (1 Pet. 5:6, 7; 2 Pet. 2:9). Is God turned back by man? is He afraid of their voice? (verse 4).
In chapter 32, Christ is the King who reigns in righteousness. His rule will extend over the whole earth in the Millennium, and in a special sense over the land of Israel. The nations will still have their kings, but there will be the central, supreme government of the earth under Christ. Isa. 49:23; 60:3, 10, 16, and Rev. 21:24 show that the nations’ kings will continue during this period of blessing never before known on earth.
The thousand years will then be marked by a righteous rule, but this would not alone satisfy our God. Through His beloved Son there must be rest, peace, satisfaction, comfort, enjoyment of what is good. So “a man,”—it is Christ, of course, in Manhood—shall be as a hiding place from the wind; a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. What figures these are of a mighty change for those who shall be brought through the terrible judgments of the last days!
Verses 4-8: In that time, things and persons will be seen in their true character. False and deceitful appearances will have disappeared. Should wickedness appear, it will be dealt with openly and at once (chapter 66:23, 24).
Verses 9-16: Not until the Holy Spirit is poured out, as in Joel 2:28, 29, will the earthly saints be out of sorrow. Note that it is only those who compose the Church who are spoken of as indwelt by the Holy Spirit; this incomparable boon and privilege is reserved for the bride of Christ. (John 14:16, 17; 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:13, 14; Rev. 22:17.
Acts 2:17 declares that what was seen on the day of Pentecost was the same in character as Joel 2:28, 29 promised, but it was not the same in extent, for “all flesh” did not then (nor could) receive the outpouring; nor will the future day reveal the same measure of the gift that is the believer’s in this day of the gospel of the grace of God.
There will be no room for man’s natural pride in the Millennium, however prominent it is today in every sphere of life. The “forest”—pride and loftiness of man—will be destroyed by the “hail;” and the “city”—Cain’s first step when departing from God’s presence (Gen. 4:17) shall be low in a low place then. The judgment of God will have accomplished all this.
The closing word of chapter 32 is precious. “Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth the feet of the ox and the ass.” This verse stands apart from what has gone before, a reminder to serve the Lord in spreading the good seed of His truth, to thus occupy ourselves for Him while we wait for His coming. May we he stirred up to do this more faithfully, more wholeheartedly!
ML 10/08/1933