ISAIAH

Isaiah 19:16-25

quote:

"In that day the Egyptians will become like women, and they will tremble and be in dread because of the waving of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which He is going to wave over them. 17 And the land of Judah will become a terror to Egypt; everyone to whom it is mentioned will be in dread of it, because of the purpose of the LORD of hosts which He is purposing against them. 18 In that day five cities in the land of Egypt will be speaking the language of Canaan and swearing allegiance to the LORD of hosts; one will be called the City of Destruction. 19 In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD near its border. 20 And it will become a sign and a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the LORD because of oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Champion, and He will deliver them. 21 Thus the LORD will make Himself known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day. They will even worship with sacrifice and offering, and will make a vow to the LORD and perform it. 22 And the LORD will strike Egypt, striking but healing; so they will return to the LORD, and He will respond to them and will heal them. 23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrians will come into Egypt and the Egyptians into Assyria, and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians. 24 In that day Israel will be the third party with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, 25 whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying, "Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance."

As judgment approached Egypt, she found herself in terror before the Lord. Her fear would lead to a turning to Him and a true repentance. In verse 18 blessings begin to come. Those in "five" cities will speak the same language as that spoken in the promised land and will worship the God of Israel. The Egyptians swearing their complete devotion and allegiance to God is a foreshadowing of what Isaiah later prophesied in Isaiah 45:22-25 saying,

"Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other. 23 "I have sworn by Myself, The word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness And will not turn back, That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance. 24 "They will say of Me, 'Only in the LORD are righteousness and strength.' Men will come to Him, And all who were angry at Him will be put to shame. 25 "In the LORD all the offspring of Israel will be justified and will glory."

Chapter 19 teaches that after judgments and the total destruction of idolatry, there will come a time when Egypt in great part, will worship the true God. Just as Jacob had erected a pillar because of God's Presence at Bethel (Genesis 28:18; 35:14), a pillar near the Egyptian border will also stand as a representation that both Judah and Egypt have a common faith.

Egypt, who was once the oppressor of Israel, will now become oppressed. They will learn just as all God's people know, that in this world we face oppression and tribulation. But God will send deliverance, perhaps in many deliverers, though in its final fulfillment this Deliverer is Jesus, Himself. Those who once were idolaters will renounce their age-old superstitions and turn to the true and living God.

Concerning the "highway", reference is not to the Egypt and Assyria of Isaiah's day, but to the descendants of those nations. Egypt and Assyria also serve symbolically as true believers from all the nations. The "highway" between the two is friendly communication and trade that rests upon a common faith in the Lord. Israel becomes the blessing to the entire world in that the realization of the promise to Abraham is seen in her, bringing forth the Messiah whose kingdom has no end.

Though Egypt was formerly an oppressor of God's people and Assyria an invader to their land, all will be forgiven and they shall become as one. They are the work of His hands, not just a people, but His people spiritually, with His divine protection as they accept Him as their God. As we read in Romans 11:17, Jesus came and Israel were the natural branches of the olive tree, while the Gentiles were grafted in among them. The Gentile nations will not only unite with each other in the gospel of Jesus, but they will all be united with believing Jews.

Jesus is the Savior and Deliverer of all mankind. Noone can be saved except through God's promise of blessing and salvation to all who will accept the gracious gift of Jesus' atoning sacrifice.