John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 31:1

"Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help, and rely 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 Jehovah!" — Isaiah 31:1 (ASV)

Woe to them that go down to Egypt. He again returns to the subject which he had handled at the beginning of the previous chapter; for he still cries loudly against the Jews, whose ordinary custom it was, in times of danger, to resort not to the Lord, but to the Egyptians. We have previously explained why this was so highly displeasing to God. To state the matter briefly, there are two reasons why the Prophet reproves this crime so severely. The first is, because it is impossible for us to place our confidence for salvation in creatures and, at the same time, in God; for our eyes must be withdrawn from Him as soon as they are directed to them. The second reason is, God had expressly forbidden them to enter into an alliance with the Egyptians (Deuteronomy 17:16). To sinful confidence was added rebelliousness, as if they had resolved to provide for their safety by despising God and by disobeying His will.

Therefore, we must look at the source of this evil if we wish to fully understand the Prophet’s meaning. There was also a specific reason, as we have previously remarked, why the Lord wanted the Jews to have no dealings with the Egyptians. It was so that this wicked alliance would not erase the memory of the redemption from Egypt, and so that they would not be corrupted by the superstitions and sinful idolatry of the Egyptians.

Yet these arguments were regarded by them as of no weight; and, though God had forbidden it, this did not stop them from continually applying to them for assistance, and imagining that their assistance was a shield which defended them against the arm of God. Consequently, there are good reasons why the Prophet exclaims so earnestly against such madness.

Even on the ground that God had forbidden it, their “going down into Egypt” deserved to be severely blamed; but it was still more intolerably criminal that, through false confidence, they gave to mortal men the glory due to God. To make it even clearer that in this way they defraud God of His right, he not only accuses them of having relied on the Egyptians but also, on the other hand, charges them that

They have not looked to the Holy One of Israel. Here the reason appears more clearly why this treachery of the Jews is so sharply reproved by Isaiah.

For in other respects God does not disapprove of our using lawful remedies, just as we eat bread and other kinds of food intended for our use. Thus, if any person in danger employs means that were not forbidden but are customary and lawful, provided that he does not at all deny the power of God, he certainly ought not to be blamed.

But if we are so strongly attached to external means that we do not at the same time seek God, and if, through distrust of His promises, we resort to unlawful methods, this deserves condemnation and abhorrence.

The word look is frequently used in Scripture to denote this confidence, for we commonly turn our eyes toward the direction from which we expect assistance. In short, we are taught here that we ought to place our trust for salvation in no one else but God alone, so that, relying on His promises, we may boldly ask from Him whatever is desirable. He undoubtedly permits us to use all things He intended for our use, but in such a way that our minds must be entirely fixed on Him.

When he calls God “the Holy One of Israel,” he highlights the wickedness and ingratitude of the people, who, after being taken under God’s protection and care, despised such a protector and guardian of their salvation and ran eagerly after their own lusts. By immediately adding, neither have they sought Jehovah, he shows that neither the power, nor the goodness, nor the fatherly kindness of God could keep them in performing their duty.

Today, since He invites us no less kindly to come to Him, we offer a grievous insult to Him if we look to any other and do not resolve to trust in Him alone; and everything that turns away and withdraws our minds from God will be to us like “Egypt.”