Isaiah 31:1: “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!”

August 25th, 2024 by Pastor Ed in devotional

The northern 10 tribes of Israel had been completely overrun by the Assyrian army, and 20 years later, at the time of Isaiah 31, they were threatening to invade Judah in the south. King Hezekiah’s counselor recommended that he establish an alliance with Egypt for protection. But the prophet Isaiah warned Hezekiah not to go to Egypt for help, but to trust solely in the Lord. God had clearly commanded Israel, and Israel’s king, to never return to Egypt: “But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the Lord has said to you, `you shall not return that way again’” (Deut. 17:16).

Hezekiah’s act of going to secular experts and getting ungodly advice is an important example of what not to do in life. We still see examples of it today. So many believers who have taken their marital problems to secular counselors have been told, “If you don’t get along with your spouse, and can’t work it out, just get a divorce.” Such advice has led to countless broken families, leaving a whole generation of kids pained and confused. Trying to get quick, short-term relief, results in a high, long-term price that is paid emotionally, physically, and spiritually. There is great danger in turning away from the will of God and going back to Egypt. There is no protection to be found in Egypt; God alone is able to be our refuge and protection, looking to anything else leaves us exposed and vulnerable to deception and ruin.

“LORD, we look to You and You alone for our protection this day.”