INTRODUCTION

Isaiah pronounces a double woe against those in Judah who rely on Egypt (30:1; 31:1; cf. Isaiah 13:1-14:27). When Judah repents and casts away her idols (31:6-9), Yahweh will set up a just king (32:1) and pour out His Spirit to renew the land (32:15-20).

THE TEXT

“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD! . . . ” (Isaiah 31:1-32:20).

FLESH AND SPIRIT

Judah is tempted to rely on Egypt because of their military capability – horses and chariots (Isaiah 31:1). They believe national security depends on military strength, but that only proves that they rely on men not God, flesh not Spirit (31:3). The contrast of flesh and spirit is not a contrast of material and immaterial; “flesh” is neediness and weakness while “spirit” is power. Egypt’s horses are flesh; Yahweh has horses and chariots of fire (2 Kings 2:11; 6:17). Yahweh is a ferocious lion attacking Jerusalem (Isaiah 31:4), but He can be a “hovering bird” to protect and deliver Zion (v. 5; cf. Genesis 1:2; Deuteronomy 32:11). He will repel the Assyrians when Judah puts away her idols, including her military idols (Isaiah 31:7-8).

KING AND PRINCES

Yahweh promises to send a new Davidic king who will rule with justice (32:1; cf. 9:1-7; 11:1-10). This king will be surrounded by princes who also rule justly. Each prince will be like Yahweh Himself – a refuge, a shelter, water in a dry ground, shade in a parched land (32:2). Through just rulers, Yahweh will restore the body of His people, giving them ears to listen, minds to discern truth, tongues to speak (32:3-4). In Scripture, wisdom is a royal virtue (1 Kings 3:1-15; Proverbs 8:15), and when Yahweh establishes His just king and princes, He will overthrow folly and establish wisdom (Isaiah 32:5-8). Wisdom and justice always go together, as do folly and injustice. Fools speak nonsense (v. 5), and they also pursue injustice: They keep the needy needy, plot against the noble, and slander the afflicted (vv. 6-8). Jesus is this King; but Jesus too is surrounded by princes.

WOMEN AT EASE

Earlier, Isaiah followed up a prophetic assault on the male rulers of Judah with a satire of the fine women of Zion (Isaiah 3:1-26). He does the same here. Foolish men oppress, and their women exercise influence unjustly, complacent in the face of need. Because of that, Yahweh threatens to bring a famine and sent the women into captivity to be stripped and clothed in sackcloth (32:9-12). Cities are feminine in Scripture, and the women are symbolically the towns of Judah that will be captured and decimated by Assyria’s invasion (cf. 32:14). In place of fruitful vineyards, Judah will be filled with thorns and briers (32:12-13). The land will be emptied, a haunt for wild donkeys (v. 14).

UNTIL THE SPIRIT

The turning point for Judah will occur when the Spirit is poured out like rain from heaven (32:15). When the Spirit comes, then everything changes: Wilderness is transformed to orchard, righteousness grows in place of the briers of injustice, and Judah will enjoy genuine peace and confidence and security (32:16-18). King Jesus restores justice, and by His Spirit He turns the land back into Eden.