Isaiah with Training Wheels: Chapters 31 & 32

These chapters are parallel with chapter 29, including the verse about ‘a marvelous work and a wonder’. Like Ch. 29, this shows that the Lord’s plans are unaffected by invaders, and that the Lord always has the last word. (31:1-8) The theme of ch. 29 is the need for and the work of divine transformation, the “Marvelous Work and a Wonder”, which is the doctrinal / spiritual perspective. Ch. 31-32 discuss the work of divine transformation from a temporal perspective.

There are numerous word-links with Ch. 29.

Ariel/God’s fireplace (29:1,2,7)  – – – fire, furnace (31:9)
In these Woe Chapters (28-35), we only see Mt Zion in 29:8 & 31:4
Hunger, thirst, needs unsatisfied (29:8; 32:6)
Nations fighting against Ariel (29:7) and the Lord Almighty doing battle on Mt Zion (31:4)
Wisdom (29:14; 31:2)
Unseeing eye, far-off heart, outpouring of deep sleep (29:10,13) vs seeing eye, understanding heart (mind), outpoured spirit (32:3,4,15)

So, I can see some of the parallels, though I will be honest, I feel like there is more in these chapters than I am fully understanding. Perhaps, ch. 29 was from a Spiritual perspective, and this is from a Temporal perspective, with the focus on a Messianic King, a new righteous ruling class

In any case, this is setting the stage for a total reversal of things “wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.” For so much of mortal existence, sin has prospered and righteousness has been defeated. Yet, this is proclaiming a change, with a new King and a new nobility. But to see this, we much trust in God.

Chiasmus

Prologue (31:1-5)

Call to return, immediate and future prospects (31:6-9)

King and new society (32:1-8)

Call to hear, in light of immediate and future prospects (32:9-14)

The Spirit and the new society (32:15-18)

Epilogue (32:19-20)

31:1 Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord!

2 Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against [the helpers of those who work iniquity.]

3 Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord shall stretch out his hand, both [the helper will falter, and he who is helped will fall, and they will all perish together.]

4 For thus hath the Lord spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.

5 [Like birds hovering over a nest], so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; [he will shield it], he will deliver it; [he will ‘pass over’ it], he will preserve it.

6 ¶ [Return] ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted [against].

7 For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin.

8 ¶ Then shall the Assyrian fall [but not by a manmade sword. A sword not made by mortals] shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be [put to forced labor].

9 [Their rock will fall because of terror] and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the Lord, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.

32:1 Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.

2 And  [each one] shall be as an hiding place from the wind,
and a covert from the tempest;
as rivers of water in a dry place,
as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.

3 And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim,
and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.
4 The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge,
and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly.

5 The [Fool] shall be no more called [noble], nor the [Scoundrel be highly respected].

6 For the [Fool] will speak [foolishness],

and his heart will work iniquity,

to practice [ungodliness],
and to [mislead people from] the Lord,
to [keep those who are hungry unsatisfied
and to withhold drink from the thirsty.]

7 The [weapons of the Scoundrel are evil:

he devises evil schemes]

to destroy the poor with lying words,
even when the needy speaketh right

8 But the [Noble counsels noble plans;

and he stands by his noble actions].

9 ¶ Rise up, ye [complacent] women; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech.

10 [In little more than a year] shall ye be [in anguish], ye careless women: for the [grape harvest] shall fail, the [fruit harvest shall come to nothing].

11 Tremble, ye women that are at ease; be troubled, ye careless ones: strip [yourselves bare], and gird sackcloth upon your loins.

12 [Beat your breasts], for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine.

13 Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city:

14 Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the [busy city abandoned]; the forts and towers shall [become a wasteland] for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks;

15 Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.

16 Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.

17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

18 And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;

19 [Even if] it shall hail, [destroying] the forest; and the city shall be [leveled].

20 Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass.

Notes:

31:1 In the Old Testament, horses and chariots are always military, thus this refers to trust in worldly security.

31:5 the phrase ‘pass over’ is used deliberately here, to make a comparison with the original Passover, when the Lord defended his people in Exodus.

31:9 Rock = stronghold, but it also has a nice parallel with their rock versus our Rock of Ages.

32:1 The Messianic king.

32:8 For those of you of the more leftward bent in politics, I am greatly disappointed in you. You should be using this verse, in the KJV all over the place! “But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.”
Even if that isn’t quite what it means. Still, big missed opportunity.

32:11 Prepare for slavery and ruin

32:19-20  This is a bit unclear. Gileadi places v. 19 earlier in the chapter, but I can see no evidence for that. Rather, the Forest and City here may be Assyria and Jerusalem. Even if they are destroyed, the Lord will provide for his people.