Isa 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD.
Israel was under attack from the Assyrians. And though the Lord was reaching out to them through the prophets, speaking His word and making known His will, they ran to the Egyptians. Egypt was the superpower then. And it was easy for other nations to run for them for help, for they had the resources. For this situation for Israel, Egypt had the army – the horses and chariots they needed, for help. They had nowhere else to go. Compared to the Assyrians they were nothing. So they looked to Egypt.
This was what pained the Lord’s heart. Israel was to be a people, a nation, who trusted and relied on the Lord, not on themselves or other nations. Yet, when in trouble, they did not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from Him. They had forgotten what the Lord eventually tells them:
Isa 31:3 But the Egyptians are men and not God; their horses are flesh and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, he who helps will stumble, he who is helped will fall; both will perish together.
He who helps will stumble…he who is helped will fall. This has happened to a number of us already. Instead of trusting in God, we trusted in others, even ourselves…and things eventually fell. And even if there is a seeming temporary solution, yet in our spirit we have failed, for we have ceased to trust fully in our Lord.
Many times we are brought to those situations, similar to what Israel was going through – where we are pressured, being attacked, surrounded by problems, needs – financial needs, emotional needs, relationship problems…and we panic. And instead of waiting upon the Lord, seeking His wisdom and help, we seek help from “Egypt”, from human or worldly sources, that temporarily answer our need, but eternally does nothing to our soul.
There are many in dire financial need who run to money lenders and borrow money knowing they cannot pay, who experience temporary relief, but in the long run put themselves in more dire situations. There are those who have problems in their marriage, who seek the relief of the laws of our country, and spend thousands of pesos for an annulment, instead of seeking God’s will for them, and do what pleases Him. There are some who have emotional needs, a need for love, a need for companionship, for recognition, who seek help in relationships with the opposite sex, thinking that they will bring the peace and joy their hearts seek. And yet they don’t realize that this temporary relief does not give them the fullness of joy and peace that only God can bring.
Do not run to Egypt, and rely on chariots and horses. We are to be a people who rely on the Lord for everything! Do not be afraid to wait, to seek the Lord with all your heart, to ask for counsel from the godly spiritual men in your church, and find the wisdom God has for your situation. Do not be satisfied with temporary solutions – seek the solution that satisfies your spirit eternally, and pleases God who sees your total trust in Him.
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