Isaiah 19

Isaiah 19

Here in this prophetic word spoken against Egypt, the passage speaks of deterioration into civil war (v2).  And the Lord will destroy their confidence in the idols they believe in (v3).  The country will serve a “cruel master”, most likely Ethiopian Shabaka who imposed his will over Egypt around 715BC to the end of the civil war period.

Following words of civil war and oppression come telling of a drought (v5-7) that will be the ruin of Egyptian economy (v8-10).

Next the leaders and counselors who give Pharaoh advice are ridiculed for their foolish counsel and haughty spirits (v11-15).

The next section perhaps refers to eschatological events yet to come, signified by the words “In that day” (v16,18,19,23).  This time depicts healing of Egypt after they have been humbled under the Lord’s hand.  Monuments to the Lord will rise up and the Lord will answer their prayers.  Ultimately political unity will exist between Egypt, Assyria, and Israel.

I must say with some confidence in the Scriptures that the world should not takes its eyes off of the middle east.  The enduring conflict that floods news agencies from time to time are echoes to the truths of this passage here summarized: The Lord is sovereign in history, and when people are finally humbled under His hand they will cry out to Him and He will respond with a “savior”.

²⁰  And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt: For they shall cry unto the Lord because of the oppressors, And he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them. ²¹  And the Lord shall be known to Egypt, And the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day, And shall do sacrifice and oblation; Yea, they shall vow a vow unto the Lord, and perform it. ²²  And the Lord shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it:

The judgement and injury that comes from sin and ignorance of God is not beyond His healing.  God’s heart is for people to repent and seek Him humbly and personally.  Though these verses speak of nations, we know through the work of Jesus Christ, God’s heart rejoices at the repentance of any one person.  Do you have wounds to your soul vexed with guilt and shame?  Your restoration is at hand when you say to God, “Your right!  Only you are God and I am nothing! God help me obey and trust you? Forgive me my sins through the blood of Jesus and heal the damage sin has done to my soul!  Perform what you have said you will do!  Let nothing be undone that you have said!”