When Isaiah proclaimed Egypt's demise in Isaiah 19, the people of Judah saw their safety net vanish. Judah's king, Hezekiah, hoped an alliance with Egypt would protect them from the threat of Assyrian invasion. But God wanted the people of Judah to stop looking to Egypt for security. He wanted them to place their hope in Him — the One who holds all the nations securely in His hands.
In Isaiah 19:1-15, we read God's response to Egypt's pride. God will come in judgment against all the Egyptians' reasons for boasting:
- With their idols, they think they can influence the gods. But the idols of Egypt will tremble before the Lord (Isaiah 19:1)
- They see the Nile as their lifeline and even take credit for the river's existence. (Ezekiel 29:3) But God rules over every drop of the Nile. (Isaiah 19:5-8)
- ● They trust their wisdom, princes and advisors. But God alone gives knowledge and can take it away, filling Egypt with confusion and chaos. (Isaiah 19:3, 11-14)
In Isaiah 19:16-25, we read God's response to Egypt's repentance. God takes away the Egyptian safety net because He wants the people of Judah and the people of Egypt to turn to Him. One day, when Egypt will cease trusting in her own might and cry out to the Lord for deliverance, God will answer those cries with mercy. The Lord will make Himself known to them and be their Savior, Defender and Deliverer.
In this section, we see the words "in that day" repeated five times as Isaiah describes each aspect of Egypt's future restoration (Isaiah 19:16-25). This future hope gives a stark and beautiful contrast to the pride, self-reliance, judgment and devastation described in the first half of the chapter.
- Egypt will come face-to-face with their helplessness and fear the Lord. (Isaiah 19:16-17)
- The Egyptians will swear allegiance to the Lord. (Isaiah 19:18)
- The people will begin to worship the Lord. (Isaiah 19:19-22)
- There will be peace among the nations as they worship God together. (Isaiah 19:23)
- God will call Egypt "my people." (Isaiah 19:24-25)
God's mercy has the same effect on us today. Christ has "broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility" (Ephesians 2:14). And one day, a multitude from every nation will worship Him together. (Isaiah 19:23-25; Revelation 7:9-10)
See also Enduring Word Commentary