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Isaiah 31:4-6
The Voice
Isaiah 31:4-6
The Voice
4 Eternal One (to Isaiah): Just as a lion or a young lion fiercely growls over his prey,
even while shepherds band together to fight him off,
A lion won’t be scared off by their shouts
or deterred by their noise and threatening gestures.
So, too, the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, will descend
to defend Mount Zion and its hill without fail.
In Scripture God is often described as having the strength of a lion. The power and skill of the lion are legendary. Here the picture Isaiah paints is of a hungry lion fixated on his prey, refusing to be distracted by the threats of its victim’s would-be protectors. The prophet uses this picture to inspire and encourage the faithful. Zion and the people of His holy mountain are God’s great prize; they are His possession, and He is not about to give them up. He will defend His prize and not share it with the predator-nations that surround Judah. Isaiah is clear in declaring that God will use these predators for His purposes, but He will not be frustrated by their schemes.
5 As birds hover protectively over their nests
so the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, will guard Jerusalem from all harm.
Not only that, but God will protect and save it,
rescue and keep it.
6 So give up, children of Israel. Return, people of promise, to God against whom you so blatantly rebelled.
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Isaiah 31:4-6
New International Version
Isaiah 31:4-6
New International Version
4 This is what the Lord says to me:
“As a lion(A) growls,
a great lion over its prey—
and though a whole band of shepherds(B)
is called together against it,
it is not frightened by their shouts
or disturbed by their clamor(C)—
so the Lord Almighty will come down(D)
to do battle on Mount Zion and on its heights.
5 Like birds hovering(E) overhead,
the Lord Almighty will shield(F) Jerusalem;
he will shield it and deliver(G) it,
he will ‘pass over’(H) it and will rescue it.”
6 Return,(I) you Israelites, to the One you have so greatly revolted(J) against.
The Voice (VOICE)
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