Isaiah
31:4
4 For thus hath the LORD [Yahovah] spoken ['amar] unto me, Like as
the lion ['ariy] and the young
lion [kaphiyr] roaring [hagah] on his prey [tereph], when a
multitude [malo'] of shepherds [ra`ah] is called forth [qara'] against him, he will not be afraid [chathath] of their voice [qowl], nor abase [`anah] himself for the noise [hamown] of them: so shall the LORD [Yahovah] of hosts [tsaba'] come down [yarad] to fight [tsaba'] for mount [har] Zion [Tsiyown], and for the
hill [gib`ah] thereof. KJV-Interlinear
4 For thus the LORD said to me, “As a lion
or a young lion growls over his prey, and when a band of shepherds is called
out against him he is not terrified by their shouting or daunted at their
noise, so the LORD of hosts will come down to fight on Mount Zion and on its
hill. ESV
Isaiah uses the
symbolism of comparing the Lord to a young mature lion that stands over his
prey, protecting that which belongs to him, and not intimidated by shepherds,
or even large numbers of shepherds, regardless of the weapons they bring, until
finally the shepherds disperse and go away or are chased away, being
intimidated themselves.
Zion, throughout
the Bible, is represented as the dwelling place of God. God is truth, and lives
in truth, and therefore, Zion, represents the body of truth or Bible doctrine,
which is the possession of God.
Believers in
Christ, are the possession of God. And therefore God, will stand guard over,
and fight for, all believers, who are His family, and possession.
The point of this
verse, is to demonstrate to the people of Judah in Isaiah’s day, and to all
believers throughout history, that it is better to put their trust in Christ,
than it is to enter into an alliance with Egypt, which represents sin.
Jesus Christ,
using this comparison, would be no more alarmed at the number and power of
enemies, than a lion, that is determined to stand over and hold his prey.
And of course you
would probably have to come face to face with the power and authority and
intimidation of a lion, in order to really understand and appreciate this
comparison.
Most people, if
they came face-to-face with a determined lion, would quickly realize that they
are no match for the lion.
Likewise, all
enemies of God are no match for God.
Therefore, it is
far better to look to God in times of need, than it is to look to the things of
this world.
These
studies are a part of the massive daily study web site at DailyBibeStudy.Org,
and are written, so that you can come to Christ if you have not done so
already, and therefore not be lost forever.
And
if you have already believed in Christ, then these studies are written so you
can learn and understand and grow in your spiritual life, so that you can come
to the full knowledge of Christ, so that you can fulfill your meaning and
purpose in life as God intended for you, and so you can qualify for a
phenomenal eternal reward which you will have forever.
To
ignore this opportunity to pursue a daily study means you will be incomplete,
unfulfilled and you will lose out, big time.
The
Daily Bible Study is online, making it possible as never before in all of human
history, to advance in ones relationship with God, through Christ, and to
complete yourself beyond your imagination.
But
you have to decide to make that commitment.
No one else can study for you.
You have to do that yourself.
