“Look to Good and Not to Egypt”

Isaiah 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 help of them that 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 he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.

It is heart-breaking to see someone going down spiritually. In the book of Hebrews we read of those who, according to the time that they had been Christians, should have been teachers already, but they were still babies and needed to be fed milk.

There the story of the two students at Duke University who went to a costume party dressed as blue devils, the mascots of Duke. They started out to the party, but by mistake they stumbled into a prayer meeting, setting off a great exodus through the doors and windows. One rather stout lady became wedged in a pew and began to scream in terror. Forgetting that they were causing her agony, the two young men rushed forward to help her. As she saw them advancing she raised her hand and said, “Stop! Don’t you come any further. I want you to know that I have been a member of this church for 25 years — but I’ve been on your side all the time!” That is what we call a moment of truth.

Your moment of truth will also come. What will you say? On that day all hypocrisy will come to an end.

These Israelites in our text should have known that they were delivered from Egypt. How can they return there! In Deuteronomy 17:16, God expressly charged Israel not to return to Egypt, neither to trust in horses. Child of God, never forget what God has spoken to you in the past.

They fled to Egypt for military help. They saw the mighty Assyrian army and were afraid. They saw this giant before them and felt incapable of defending themselves. Maybe you’re faced with an enormous difficulty – maybe a sick child – and you feel at your end and go to some occult healer to solve your problem. However, God pronounces severe judgement on those who “lean on the arm of flesh” and do not look to Him in times of trouble.

If God called you, He will provide, unless, of course, you called yourself. Paul had his tent-ministry to support himself and give to those in need. If God called you, never look to man for help, but to God alone.

The Israelites in our text also looked to Egypt for wisdom. There was much wisdom around in Egypt. They were famous for their progress and advances. Even Moses was trained in the wisdom of Egypt. However, human wisdom does not further God’s cause. All theology that does not lead to repentance and to God Himself needs to be rejected. We are to look to God alone for wisdom.

In 1John 3:4 it says that, “sin is the transgression of the law”. All your clever words and theological studies will help nothing, unless your sins are dealt with. In 1Cor 2:1-5 Paul said that he did not preach the Gospel in man’s wisdom, but in simplicity and the power of the Holy Spirit, so that your faith should not be in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God.

Never nullify the power of the Cross through relying on human strength and wisdom.