An Oracle Concerning Egypt

An Oracle Concerning Egypt

The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it. Isa. 19:1

burden of... The 21st prophecy in Isaiah (Isa. 19:1-25, unfulfilled). Next, Isa. 20:2.

The 21st Prophecy in Isaiah

Thirty-six Predictions—Unfulfilled:

1. Jehovah shall come into Egypt riding a swift cloud (Isa. 19:1).

2. The idols of Egypt shall be moved at His presence.

3. The heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.

4. There shall be civil war in Egypt (Isa. 19:2).

5. The spirit of Egypt shall fail (Isa. 19:3).

6. I will destroy the counsel of Egypt.

7. They shall seek guidance of idols, charmers, familiar spirits, and wizards.

8. I will give them over into the hand of a cruel lord (the Antichrist, Isa. 19:4; Dan. 8:20-23; 11:40-45).

9. A fierce king shall rule them (Isa. 19:4; Dan. 8:23-25).

10. The Nile river will be dried up from the sea (Isa. 19:5; 11:15).

11. They shall divert the rivers from their regular channels (Isa. 19:6).

12. The canals of Egypt shall be dried up.

13. The reeds, flags, papyrus reeds, and everything else sown by the canals shall wither, be driven away, and be no more (Isa. 19:7).

14. All fishermen shall lament (Isa. 19:8).

15. Flax workers and weavers shall be confounded (Isa. 19:9).

16. All irrigation shall come to an end (Isa. 19:10).

17. All fisheries shall close.

18. Princes of Zoan shall become fools (Isa. 19:11, 19:13).

19. The wise men shall become foolish.

20. Not a wise man shall be found (Isa. 19:12).

21. Princes of Noph will be deceived (Isa. 19:13).

22. The leaders of Egypt shall seduce the people—lead them astray.

23. A mingled and perverse spirit will be sent among the leaders who shall cause errors in all work (Isa. 19:14-15).

24. Egypt shall live in fear like women because of the hand of the Lord upon them (Isa. 19:16).

25. Judah shall be a terror to Egypt and every man will be afraid because of the purpose of God (Isa. 19:17).

26. In that day shall five cities of Egypt speak the language of Canaan and swear to the Lord of hosts (Isa. 19:18).

27. One city shall be called The city of destruction.

28. There shall be an altar to the Lord in the midst of Egypt, and a pillar at the border for a sign and witness to the Lord (Isa. 19:19-20).

29. They shall call upon the Lord because of their oppressors, and He shall send them a Savior, and a Great One, and He shall deliver them (Isa. 19:20).

30. Jehovah shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall sacrifice to Him in that day (Isa. 19:21).

31. They shall make a vow to the Lord in that day and shall perform it.

32. The Lord shall smite Egypt and heal it (Isa. 19:22).

33. They shall return to the Lord and He will hear their prayers, and shall heal them.

34. There shall be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria (Isa. 19:23).

35. There will be an alliance between the nations; both the Egyptians and Assyrians shall serve the Lord with Israel, and all will be a blessing on earth (Isa. 19:23-24).

36. All these nations will become converted to Jehovah and He will bless them as one people in that day (Isa. 19:24-25).

Together with Assyria, it oppressed Israel before the time of Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel, in the very first of the times of the Gentiles. Some think that these times began with Nebuchadnezzar; but, since both Egypt and Assyria oppressed the Jews before Daniel’s time, we must include them also in the full length of such a period. Egypt oppressed Israel now and again for nearly 1,500 years before Daniel prophesied of 6 world powers to oppress them from his day forward. Egypt oppressed Israel during 8 years of the life of Moses, 10 years longer than Nebuchadnezzar did. Assyria oppressed Israel nearly 200 years (before Nebuchadnezzar) and was the kingdom to take the 10 tribes captive 133 years before Babylon took the 2 tribes. Would not these oppressions of Israel be as much a part of the times of the Gentiles as any since Nebuchadnezzar? There is no scripture limiting them to 2,520 years or saying they began with Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel did not see the whole length of the times of the Gentiles, only the period from his day forward. The Assyrians conquered Egypt after the death of Joseph and oppressed Israel (Isa. 52:4), their king becoming the one that "knew not Joseph" (Exo. 1:8). Egypt was conquered by several other foreign powers, including Ethiopia, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome, and helped to oppress Israel as a part of all these empires.

And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom. Isa. 19:2

set the Egyptians... When this civil war in Egypt will take place in connection with these last-day events is not stated; but it is clear that at Armageddon men will be so confused that they will turn on each other (Zec. 14:13-14). Since Egypt is next to Palestine where millions under Antichrist will be gathered, the battle could extend into Egypt. To associate this civil war with something in the past is out of harmony with the future fulfillment required here.

And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards. Isa. 19:3

seek to the idols...They will be exhausted by such internal strife until they will seek counsel and refuge in lifeless idols, and go to those who mutter, and to witches and wizards who have familiar spirits (see Isa. 8:19-20).

And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts. Isa. 19:4

The cruel lord and fierce king here is none other than Antichrist, who in that day, will take over all Egypt (Dan. 8:23; Dan. 11:40-45). This judgment would come from the Lord, the Lord Almighty (Isa. 19:4), Israel’s Master and great covenant-keeping God.

And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up. Isa. 19:5

Tenfold Desolation of Egypt

the waters shall fail...

1. Waters shall fail from the sea (Isa. 19:5).

2. The Nile will be wasted and dried up.

3. Rivers shall be diverted (Isa. 19:6).

4. Irrigation shall end.

5. Reeds and flags shall wither.

6. Papyrus reeds and every other growing thing shall wither (Isa. 19:7).

7. Fishing industry shall end (Isa. 19:8).

8. Flax works will close (Isa. 19:9).

9. Weaving shall cease.

10. Fisheries shall close (Isa. 19:10).

To show that the judgment really would be from God, Isaiah said that the destruction would affect nature. A drought would ruin the economy and cause the people whose work depended on the Nile to be depressed. The river (Isa. 19:5) undoubtedly refers to the Nile, Egypt’s “lifeblood,” the source of the nation’s agricultural growth. Without the Nile, Egypt could not have survived. The entire economy depended on the Nile River.

And they shall turn the rivers far away; and the brooks of defence shall be emptied and dried up: the reeds and flags shall wither. The paper reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no more.

Isa. 19:6-7

they shall turn...The annual flooding of the Nile over the fields enriched the soil. With the drying up of the Nile (brought on by God, not by military conquest), papyrus reeds… plants, and every sown field would wilt (Isa. 19:6-7).

The fishers also shall mourn, and all they that cast angle into the brooks shall lament, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish. Isa. 19:8

Egyptians ate much fish from the Nile, canals, and lakes. Angling was a favorite past time; nets were also used. During this curse on the rivers and canals all fishing, commercial and sporting, will naturally cease (Isa. 19:5-8). Fishermen using either hooks or nets would not be able to pursue their livelihood (Isa. 19:8)

Moreover they that work in fine flax, and they that weave networks, shall be confounded. And they shall be broken in the purposes thereof, all that make sluices and ponds for fish. Isa. 19:9-10

All industries will be brought to a standstill—flax, weaving, and fisheries (Isa. 19:9-10). This will be temporary—during the transition when Christ will be taking over the governments of this world to judge the nations and restore the earth to a perfect state for the good of men in the Millennium and forever. And those who derived their income from working with flax (cf. Exo. 9:31; which depended on water for its growth), or linen made from flax, or other cloth, would not be able to ply their trade (Isa. 19:9-10).

Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings? Where are they? where are thy wise men? and let them tell thee now, and let them know what the LORD of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt. Isa. 19:11-12

Surely the... Eight-fold Cause of Confusion:

1. The princes of Zoan are fools (Isa. 19:11).

2. The counsel of the wise men is turned into foolishness.

3. No genuine wise men left (Isa. 19:11-12).

4. God’s purpose is being fulfilled (Isa. 19:12).

5. The princes are deceived (Isa. 19:13).

6. They have seduced the people.

7. A mingled and perverse spirit among the leaders (Isa. 19:14).

8. The leaders have caused the people to err in all work, like a drunkard stumbling in his vomit.

Brutish... Foolish or unreasonable.

The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, even they that are the stay of the tribes thereof. Isa. 19:13

Zoan... Zoan, one of the oldest cities in the world, having been built seven years after Hebron (Num. 13:22). A residence of the rulers of ancient Egypt and where Moses did his miracles (Psm. 78:12, 78:43; 30:4; Eze. 30:14).

Noph... Noph, another residence of the rulers of ancient Egypt. It had temples of Vulcan, Venus, and Osiris; and here Apis the sacred ox was worshiped (Jer. 2:16; 44:1; 46:14, 46:19; Eze. 30:13, 30:16). Perhaps the same as Memphis (Hos. 9:6).

The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit. Isa. 19:14

mingled a... God will mix a perverse spirit in the midst of Egypt so that their counsels will be unwise and foolish and thus add to the calamities of Egypt instead of avoiding them.

As a drunken... The whole nation will be reeling like drunken men—unsettled in their counsels as a drunkard who reels and vomits.

Neither shall there be any work for Egypt, which the head or tail, branch or rush, may do. Isa. 19:15

Neither shall... No man will be able to give Egypt any degree of advice or security—either those in office or out of office, high or low, strong or weak—for all will be confounded.

the head or... The head and tail are explained in Isa. 9:14-15 as the ancient and honorable, and the false prophets. This is a proverb expressing the high and the low.

branch or... This is another proverb for the high and the low. The branch means the bough or top of the palm tree which grew to a great height, portraying those high in office and authority. The rush refers to the coarse, long-jointed reed growing in the marshes. It symbolized the low classes of society (Isa. 9:14-15).

Egypt, Assyria, Israel Blessed

In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which he shaketh over it. Isa. 19:16

Egypt be like... In that day—the time of the future tribulation and Millennium, Egypt shall be like weak and fearful women because of the visitation of God. The phrase “in that day” appears five times in this passage (Isa. 19:16, 19:18-19, 19:21, 19:23). As stated earlier (see Isa. 17:4, 17:7, 17:9) the phrase often refers to judgment followed by blessing. In Isa. 19:16-25 Isaiah emphasized the outcome of the judgment on Egypt; eventually Egypt will fear the Lord, realizing that He is the true God.

And the land of Judah shall be a terror unto Egypt, every one that maketh mention thereof shall be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the LORD of hosts, which he hath determined against it. Isa. 19:17

the land of... The land of Judah, the Israel of the last days who will be gathered back from all nations, will be a terror to Egypt in the latter days when this prophecy is fulfilled. Even every individual will be afraid in himself, a time will come when Egypt will recognize Judah as the dominant force in the world, because of the plan of God being fulfilled. This will be a reversal of the situation in the prophet’s time.

In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction. Isa. 19:18

shall five cities... In that day—the Millennium, five cities shall speak the language of Canaan—Hebrew. The number five could be specific or indefinite. This indicates that Egyptians will turn to God and be converted and swear by Jehovah. One place will be called The city of destruction; and though it is not named otherwise, the time of fulfillment is clearly at the end of this age when Messiah will come and Egypt and Assyria will be blessed by God along with restored Israel (Isa. 19:18-25).

The city of... The meaning of the City of Destruction (heres) has caused much debate. It seems preferable to follow the reading preserved in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Vulgate, namely, “the City of the Sun” (ḥeres), meaning Heliopolis (cf. Eze. 30:17). Heliopolis, one of the major cities in the south end of Egypt’s Delta, was dedicated to worship of the sun god. Such a significant change (i.e., worshiping the Lord instead of the sun god) will prove to the world and to Israel that Egypt will be serious in its new worship.

In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD. Isa. 19:19

shall there be... In Egypt an altar will be built to the Lord along with a monument… at Egypt’s border. Egypt will openly avow that she is worshiping the God of Israel. This will be national policy (suggested by the monument, which will be a sign and witness) and also private worship (suggested by the altar). Egypt will be in the same position as Israel, God’s covenant people, for when the Egyptians will ask God for help He will give it to them (Isa. 19:20). They will also be involved in the sacrificial worship system (Isa. 19:21; cf. Zec. 14:16-19; Mal. 1:11), and God will heal them after they repent and ask for help. This situation was almost unbelievable for the people of Judah in Isaiah’s day. But it will occur. It will take place after the Messiah has returned and established His millennial kingdom.

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. Isa. 19:20

a sign and for... A sign and a witness unto Jehovah, not as the Bible in stone unto men.

they shall cry... This gives the reason for the building of the pillar or monument at the border of Egypt in the Millennium.

saviour, and a... The only Savior and Great One that God will send in the coming deliverance of Egypt to fulfill Isa. 19:20-25 will be the Lord Jesus Christ who will come with the armies of heaven to destroy Antichrist and set up a kingdom in the world forever (Isa. 63:1-8; Zec. 14:1-9; 2Th. 1:7-10; Jude 1:14-15; Rev. 19:11-21).

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. Isa. 19:21

shall be known... When these things are fulfilled the Lord shall be known to the Egyptians and they shall offer sacrifices and oblations, and pay vows to Him (Isa. 19:21-25). Since this has never happened in the past, the reference must be to something which is to be fulfilled in the future.

shall vow a vow... Eight-fold Salvation of Egypt:

1. They will become converted (Isa. 19:18-22).

2. Build an altar (Isa. 19:19).

3. Set up a pillar to commemorate their deliverance by God (Isa. 19:19-20).

4. Cry to Jehovah for deliverance from their oppressors (Isa. 19:20).

5. Offer sacrifices and oblations (Isa. 19:21).

6. Vow and keep their vows (Isa. 19:18, 19:21).

7. Pray and return to God for healing and they shall be healed (Isa. 19:22).

8. Serve the Lord along with the Assyrians Israelites (Isa. 19:23-25).

And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them. Isa 19:22

smite Egypt... Ten Acts of God in Egypt:

1. He will come into Egypt (Isa. 19:1).

2. He will set Egyptians against one another (Isa. 19:2).

3. He will turn them over to Antichrist (Isa. 19:4).

4. He will send national calamities (Isa. 19:5-17).

5. He will send a mixed spirit into Egypt (Isa. 19:14).

6. He will send a Savior to deliver them (Isa. 19:20).

7. He will smite Egypt (Isa.19:22).

8. He will heal them.

9. He will hear their prayers.

10. He will bless Egypt with Assyria and Israel (Isa. 19:23-25).

In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. Isa. 19:23

shall there be... In that day—the Millennium—a highway will be made from Egypt through Palestine to Assyria and these countries will form an alliance, trade with one another, and serve God together (Isa. 19:23-25).

and the... As we see above described by Isaiah in Isa. 19:19-22 blessing will not be limited to Egypt. Assyria and the rest of the earth will also be recipients of blessing in that day, the Millennial period. People will travel on a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and people in those two nations — enemies in Isaiah’s day! — will worship together. In Isaiah’s day Judah was hoping that Egypt would save her from the Assyrians.

In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: Isa. 19:24

In that day... The Millennium—Israel (Judah of Isa. 19:17, proving no difference in the two terms) shall be a third nation with Egypt and Assyria, even a blessing in the land; and God will bless all three peoples (Isa. 19:24-25).

be the third... But remarkably, in the Millennium these three powers, Assyria, Egypt, and Israel, will have a harmonious, peaceful relationship under God’s hand of blessing.

Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance. Isa. 19:25

my people...All three nations—Egypt, Assyria, and Israel—will be converted to the Lord. Egypt will be "My people." The Assyrians will be "the work of My hands" (which means they will be converted, 2Co. 5:17-18; Eph. 2:10), and Israel will be "Mine inheritance". All this, of course, will fulfill part of the promise to Abraham that “all peoples on earth will be blessed through” him (Gen. 12:3).