Chapter 19 - An Oracle Against Egypt

Chapter 19 brings us to an oracle against Egypt, perhaps the most powerful nation in Isaiah's day. What we see is that God is all powerful and not the fairy-tale gentleman who never goes against the will of man.

Isaiah 19:1 (HCSB) An oracle against Egypt: Look, the LORD rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. Egypt’s idols will tremble before Him, and Egypt’s heart will melt within it.

Not something done in secret, the prophet declares Look! YHWH rides on a war chariot (see Ps 18:10; 68:33; 104:3; Nah 1:3 for similar images) and Egypt's idols tremble (recall Dagon in 1 Sam 5) and her heart (the leaders) will melt, become weak in the knees. Such is the terror for those without proper refuge.

Verses 2 - 4 reveal that God will provoke Egypt against herself, brothers and friends will fight each other; the people will be driven to seek idols, ghosts, spirits of the dead, and wizards. Egypt will be delivered to a stronger, harsher master to rule over her. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD of Hosts!

Verses 5 - 15 continue the amazing list of evidence that piles up, displaying the wrath of God against Egypt. Their waters will dry up, their ship channels will stink, reed and rush will die. Fishermen will mourn; weavers will be dismayed; all her workers will be demoralized. Her leaders are fools, her counselors give stupid advice; can they know what YHWH has planned?

Isaiah 19:14-15 (HCSB) The LORD has mixed within her a spirit of confusion. ⌊The leaders⌋ have made Egypt stagger in all she does, as a drunkard staggers in his vomit. No head or tail, palm or reed, will be able to do anything for Egypt.

Here God takes credit for Egypt's confusion - He has done this! The reference to "head or tail, palm or reed" points to totality, nothing can protect Egypt and nothing will be spared from YHWH's judgment. Again, I am reminded of the scene at the end of Rev 6, wherein no place is found for the powerful of the world to hide from the wrath of the Lamb. Such is natural man's situation, unless the Lord has mercy on his soul.

Five times in this next section, the phrase "on that day" introduces what will happen.

Isaiah 19:16-17 (HCSB) On that day Egypt will be like women. She will tremble with fear because of the threatening hand of the LORD of Hosts when He raises it against her. The land of Judah will terrify Egypt; whenever Judah is mentioned, Egypt will tremble because of what the LORD of Hosts has planned against it.

ON that day, Egypt will be so weak she will tremble before Judah - this southern kingdom was never a threat to Egypt! YHWH is jealous of His own and all the kings of the earth will tremble before Him as He vindicates His people.

Isaiah 19:18 (HCSB) On that day five cities in the land of Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear loyalty to the LORD of Hosts. One of the cities will be called the City of the Sun.

ON that day, a remnant in Egypt will repent and turn to YHWH; one of the cities was Heliopolis - home of Egypt's sun god.

Isaiah 19:19-22 (HCSB) On that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the center of the land of Egypt and a pillar to the LORD near her border. It will be a sign and witness to the LORD of Hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, He will send them a savior and leader, and he will rescue them. The LORD will make Himself known to Egypt, and Egypt will know the LORD on that day. They will offer sacrifices and offerings; they will make vows to the LORD and fulfill them. The LORD will strike Egypt, striking and healing. Then they will return to the LORD and He will hear their prayers and heal them.

ON that day, this remnant will worship YHWH and cry out to Him because of their oppressors. He will rescue this remnant and Egypt will know Him ON THAT DAY. YHWH will strike Egypt and heal the remnant, who will return to Him. He will hear their prayers and heal them - this is how we know they are His.

Isaiah 19:23 (HCSB) On that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. Assyria will go to Egypt, Egypt to Assyria, and Egypt will worship with Assyria.

ON that day there will be no barriers or separation ("highway" often used to convey this idea), as the remnants from former enemies join to worship the one true God.

Isaiah 19:24-25 (HCSB) On that day Israel will form a triple ⌊alliance⌋ with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing within the land. The LORD of Hosts will bless them, saying, “Egypt My people, Assyria My handiwork, and Israel My inheritance are blessed.”

ON that day Israel, Egypt, and Assyria will be united, a blessing within the land. YHWH will bless them, calling them "my people, my handiwork, my inheritance." Striking words, considering what we read in Hosea, where a child bears the name of "not my people" - referring to the Hebrew nation!

Here is the bottom line: There is no advantage with God for those who trace their lineage to Abraham. YHWH has chosen and will redeem His people from every nation, tribe, and tongue; they will be His handiwork; and all who are in union with Christ share in His inheritance. This is all grace and it's all glorious, what the Lord has done for us!