"Their horses are flesh, and not spirit" Is 31:3 (ESV)

In Isaiah 31 God tells his people that he would be able help his people while others would not be able to. It's clear that God wanted to save and protect his people but was upset when they ran to other people.


"Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help
and rely on horses ...
but do not look to the Holy One of Israel
or consult the LORD! ...

The Egyptians are man, and not God,
and their horses are flesh, and not spirit.
When the LORD stretches out his hand,
the helper will stumble, and he who is helped will fall,
and they will all perish together." Isaiah 31:1-3 (ESV)


I found it interesting that God compared himself with the Egyptians with the words flesh & spirit. A worldly defense was something they could count, touch, see and invest in. The spiritual defense was more intangible. Untrusting minds have a hard time with intangible things.

God concludes the chapter by pointing out exactly how Assyria would fall:
"And the Assyrian shall fall by a sword, not of man;
and a sword, not of man, shall devour him" Isaiah 31:8 (ESV)