“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord.” – Isaiah 31:1

The situation for Israel was dire. The Assyrian empire was the dominant world power, and its brutal military machine was on a rampage, swallowing up nations like a California wildfire. The northern kingdom of Israel had already been swept away, and now Judah was in Assyria’s crosshairs. The threat was real, imminent, and overwhelming. Israel needed help.

From a purely strategic standpoint, an alliance with Egypt seemed like the logical solution. Egypt had a powerful army, was an established empire, and—most importantly— had a reason to resist Assyria. The land of Israel formed a natural buffer for Egypt, so Egypt had a vested interest in Judah not being the next domino to fall. On paper, help from Egypt just made perfect sense. The leaders of Judah weren’t thinking about abandoning God altogether; they just wanted a solid backup plan. But Isaiah’s rebuke reveals the deeper issue: their first instinct was to trust in human strength rather than the living God.

And honestly? Trusting God often feels counterintuitive to us. God was calling them to not rely on what they could see, and instead trust Him—despite the fact that Judah’s army was no match for Assyria. To trust God meant waiting, even as the storm continued to gather. To walk by faith and believe that the invisible hand of God was a better defense than Egypt’s chariots. It meant looking beyond their immediate fear and remembering that their true security was never in military strength, but in a covenant-keeping God who had delivered them time and time again.

And Egypt was no true help. Ezekiel later described Egypt as “a staff of reed for the people of Israel. When they grasped you with their hands, you splintered and you tore open their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you broke and their backs were wrenched”(Ezekiel 29:6-7). What vivid imagery. If Judah leaned on Egypt, they would fail them. Egypt’s promised support would be too little, too late (2 Kings 19:9).

And the truth is, God wasn’t after their safety—He was after their hearts. He didn’t want them to rely on Egypt because He wanted them to rediscover their reliance on Him. Their desperate situation was not an invitation to panic but an invitation to faith.

What About Us?

We’re not facing an invading army, but we all know what it’s like to feel pressure, uncertainty, and the need for security. And, just like Judah, we usually reach for what seems like the safest, most obvious and logical option.

• Financial stress? We check our bank accounts.
• A conflict? We Google solutions and strategize our options.
• A tough decision? We poll friends or ask an “expert.”
• Overwhelmed? We reach for entertainment, caffeine, or some other soothing distraction.

The problem isn’t that these things are necessarily wrong—it’s that they become our default before we seek God.

Isaiah 31:1 is a wake-up call: Where are you looking first? The same God who defended Judah and ultimately crushed Assyria (without a single chariot from Egypt) is the God who promises to be our refuge today. He isn’t just an emergency backup—He’s the only sure foundation.

In the end, Judah’s reliance on Egypt was as weak as Isaiah warned. The Assyrians still attacked. Egypt’s intervention failed. But God, in His mercy, stepped in—not because Judah had made the right political choice, but because He alone is faithful. In one night, the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers (2 Kings 19:35). The army Judah feared most was wiped out—not by horses or chariots, but by the hand of God.

So, what splintered reeds are you trusting in? What are the things you are leaning on for security, only to find them breaking under pressure?  Before you make your next decision, before you look to your own resources, before you try to fix things in your own strength—stop. Seek Him first. He is still the One who saves.