For this is what the LORD has said to me: "Like a lion roaring or a young lion over its prey--and though a band of shepherds is called out against it, it is not terrified by their shouting or subdued by their clamor--so the LORD of Hosts will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights. For this is what the LORD has said to meThis phrase establishes the authority and divine origin of the message. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, emphasizing His covenant relationship with Israel. The phrase underscores the prophetic nature of Isaiah's message, indicating that it is not merely human wisdom but a divine revelation. As a lion or young lion growls over its prey
The imagery of a lion, a symbol of strength and majesty, is used to depict God's power and determination. The Hebrew word for "growls" can also mean "murmurs" or "roars," suggesting a sense of possession and protection over what belongs to Him. This metaphor illustrates God's unwavering commitment to His people, much like a lion's instinct to guard its catch. and though a band of shepherds is called out against it
The "band of shepherds" represents human efforts to confront or challenge the lion. Historically, shepherds were protectors of their flocks, but even their collective strength is insufficient against a determined lion. This highlights the futility of opposing God's will, as human strength cannot thwart divine purposes. it is not terrified by their shouts or disturbed by their clamor
The lion's indifference to the shepherds' noise symbolizes God's unshakeable resolve. The Hebrew words for "terrified" and "disturbed" convey a sense of calm and confidence in the face of opposition. This reflects God's sovereignty and the assurance that His plans will not be hindered by human resistance. so the LORD of Hosts will come down
The title "LORD of Hosts" (YHWH Sabaoth) emphasizes God's supreme command over the heavenly armies. The phrase "will come down" suggests divine intervention and presence, indicating that God Himself will act decisively in the affairs of His people. This reassures believers of God's active involvement in their lives. to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights
Mount Zion, a symbol of God's dwelling place and the center of His kingdom, represents the spiritual and physical realm of God's people. The phrase "to do battle" signifies God's protection and deliverance of His chosen ones. Historically, Zion was the site of Jerusalem, the city of David, and the future hope of God's eternal kingdom. This promise of divine defense inspires confidence in God's ultimate victory over all adversaries. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is depicted as a powerful and fearless lion in this passage. 2. Lion/Young LionSymbolizes strength, power, and fearlessness. Represents God's might and determination. 3. ShepherdsRepresents those who might oppose or try to deter God's plans, possibly referring to earthly leaders or nations. 4. Mount ZionA significant location in Jerusalem, often symbolizing God's presence and the spiritual center of Israel. 5. Battle on Mount ZionRepresents God's intervention and protection of His people, emphasizing His sovereignty and power. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and PowerJust as a lion is undeterred by shepherds, God's plans cannot be thwarted by human opposition. Trust in His ultimate authority and power over all circumstances. Fearlessness in FaithLike the lion, believers are called to be fearless in their faith, knowing that God is with them and will fight their battles. God's ProtectionMount Zion symbolizes God's protection over His people. We can find security and peace in His presence, knowing He defends us against spiritual and physical threats. Divine InterventionGod's willingness to "come down" and engage in battle for His people shows His commitment to intervene in our lives. We should seek His intervention through prayer and faith. The Roar of God's WordJust as a lion's roar commands attention, God's word demands our attention and response. We should be attentive and obedient to His voice in our lives. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of a lion in Isaiah 31:4 enhance your understanding of God's character and His relationship with His people? 2. In what ways can you apply the concept of God's fearlessness to your own life challenges? 3. How does the idea of God "coming down" to fight for His people encourage you in your personal spiritual battles? 4. What are some practical ways you can seek God's protection and intervention in your daily life? 5. How can you ensure that you are attentive and responsive to the "roar" of God's word in your life, similar to the lion's commanding presence? Connections to Other Scriptures Hosea 11:10This verse also uses the imagery of a lion to describe God's powerful voice and presence, emphasizing His authority and the awe it inspires. Amos 3:8The lion's roar is a metaphor for God's prophetic word, indicating that when God speaks, His people must respond. Psalm 46:7Highlights the LORD of Hosts as a refuge and strength, connecting to the idea of God as a powerful protector. Revelation 5:5Refers to Jesus as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, connecting the imagery of the lion to Christ's ultimate victory and authority. People Egyptians, Isaiah, Israelites, JeremiahPlaces Egypt, Jerusalem, Mount Zion, ZionTopics Abase, Affrighted, Afraid, Almighty, Angry, Armies, Band, Battle, Clamor, Daunted, Dismayed, Disturbed, Fear, Fight, Forth, Frightened, Giveth, Growl, Growling, Growls, Height, Heights, Herdsmen, Hill, Hosts, Humbled, Jeremiah, Lion, Makes, Mount, Multitude, Noise, Prey, Roaring, Says, Shepherds, Shouting, Shouts, Spoken, Terrified, Thereof, Though, Thus, Voice, Voices, Wage, War, ZionDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 31:4 7786 shepherd, king and leader Library Three Pictures of one Reality
'As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also He will deliver it; and passing over He will preserve it'--ISAIAH xxxi. 5. The immediate occasion of this very remarkable promise is, of course, the peril in which Jerusalem was placed by Sennacherib's invasion; and the fulfilment of the promise was the destruction of his army before its gates. But the promise here, like all God's promises, is eternal in substance, and applies to a community only because it applies to each …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Lord's Furnace
'The Lord, whose fire is in Zion, and His furnace in Jerusalem.'-- ISAIAH xxxi. 9. This very remarkable characterisation of God stands here as a kind of seal, set upon the preceding prophecy. It is the reason why that will certainly be fulfilled. And what precedes is mainly a promise of a deliverance for Israel, which was to be a destruction for Israel's enemies. It is put in very graphic and remarkable metaphors: 'Like as a lion roareth on his prey when a multitude of shepherds is called forth …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture What God Is
John iv. 24.--"God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." We have here something of the nature of God pointed out to us, and something of our duty towards him. "God is a Spirit," that is his nature, and "man must worship him," that is his duty, and that "in spirit and in truth," that is the right manner of the duty. If these three were well pondered till they did sink into the bottom of our spirits, they would make us indeed Christians, not in the letter, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Of Conversion
Of Conversion "Be ye truly converted unto that God from whom ye have so deeply revolted" (Isa. xxxi. 6). To be truly converted is to avert wholly from the creature, and turn wholly unto God. For the attainment of salvation it is absolutely necessary that we should forsake outward sin and turn unto righteousness: but this alone is not perfect conversion, which consists in a total change of the whole man from an outward to an inward life. When the soul is once turned to God a wonderful facility is …
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer Of Perfect Conversion, which is an Effect of this Method of Prayer --Two of Its Aids, the Attraction of God, and the Central Inclination of The
"Turn ye unto Him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted" (Isa. xxxi. 6). Conversion is nothing else but a turning from the creature to God. Conversion is not perfect, though it is necessary for salvation, when it is merely a turning from sin to grace. To be complete, it must be a turning from without to within. The soul, being turned in the direction of God, has a great facility for remaining converted to Him. The longer it is converted, the nearer it approaches to God, and attaches …
Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents That it is not Lawful for the Well Affected Subjects to Concur in Such an Engagement in War, and Associate with the Malignant Party.
That It Is Not Lawful For The Well Affected Subjects To Concur In Such An Engagement In War, And Associate With The Malignant Party. Some convinced of the unlawfulness of the public resolutions and proceedings, in reference to the employing of the malignant party, yet do not find such clearness and satisfaction in their own consciences as to forbid the subjects to concur in this war, and associate with the army so constituted. Therefore it is needful to speak something to this point, That it is …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning But Though Prayer is Properly Confined to Vows and Supplications...
But though prayer is properly confined to vows and supplications, yet so strong is the affinity between petition and thanksgiving, that both may be conveniently comprehended under one name. For the forms which Paul enumerates (1 Tim. 2:1) fall under the first member of this division. By prayer and supplication we pour out our desires before God, asking as well those things which tend to promote his glory and display his name, as the benefits which contribute to our advantage. By thanksgiving we duly …
John Calvin—Of Prayer--A Perpetual Exercise of Faith Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and Ungodly Men.
Scriptures Showing The Sin And Danger Of Joining With Wicked And Ungodly Men. When the Lord is punishing such a people against whom he hath a controversy, and a notable controversy, every one that is found shall be thrust through: and every one joined with them shall fall, Isa. xiii. 15. They partake in their judgment, not only because in a common calamity all shares, (as in Ezek. xxi. 3.) but chiefly because joined with and partakers with these whom God is pursuing; even as the strangers that join …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Sennacherib (705-681 B. C. )
The struggle of Sennacherib with Judaea and Egypt--Destruction of Babylon. Sennacherib either failed to inherit his father's good fortune, or lacked his ability.* He was not deficient in military genius, nor in the energy necessary to withstand the various enemies who rose against him at widely removed points of his frontier, but he had neither the adaptability of character nor the delicate tact required to manage successfully the heterogeneous elements combined under his sway. * The two principal …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
Ver. 1. "And it shall come to pass, afterwards, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." The communication of the Spirit of God was the constant prerogative of the Covenant-people. Indeed, the very idea of such a people necessarily requires it. For the Spirit of God is the only inward bond betwixt Him and that which is created; a Covenant-people, therefore, without such an inward …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Upbringing of Jewish Children
The tenderness of the bond which united Jewish parents to their children appears even in the multiplicity and pictorialness of the expressions by which the various stages of child-life are designated in the Hebrew. Besides such general words as "ben" and "bath"--"son" and "daughter"--we find no fewer than nine different terms, each depicting a fresh stage of life. The first of these simply designates the babe as the newly--"born"--the "jeled," or, in the feminine, "jaldah"--as in Exodus 2:3, 6, 8. …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Isaiah
CHAPTERS I-XXXIX Isaiah is the most regal of the prophets. His words and thoughts are those of a man whose eyes had seen the King, vi. 5. The times in which he lived were big with political problems, which he met as a statesman who saw the large meaning of events, and as a prophet who read a divine purpose in history. Unlike his younger contemporary Micah, he was, in all probability, an aristocrat; and during his long ministry (740-701 B.C., possibly, but not probably later) he bore testimony, as …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Isaiah 31:4 NIVIsaiah 31:4 NLTIsaiah 31:4 ESVIsaiah 31:4 NASBIsaiah 31:4 KJV
Isaiah 31:4 Commentaries
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