Isaiah 19

Isaiah 19 describes God's judgment against Egypt, one of Israel’s historical enemies, and the eventual transformation of Egypt into a nation that acknowledges God. The chapter reveals how God will use natural and political calamities to humble Egypt, but also how Egypt, along with Israel and Assyria, will eventually become part of God's people. This chapter shows God’s sovereign control over nations and His intention to unite all people under His rule.

Isaiah 19:1-10 (NKJV)
1 The burden against Egypt. Behold, the Lord rides on a swift cloud, And will come into Egypt; The idols of Egypt will totter at His presence, And the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst.
2 “I will set Egyptians against Egyptians; Everyone will fight against his brother, And everyone against his neighbor, City against city, kingdom against kingdom.
3 The spirit of Egypt will fail in its midst; I will destroy their counsel, And they will consult the idols and the charmers, The mediums and the sorcerers.
4 And the Egyptians I will give Into the hand of a cruel master, And a fierce king will rule over them,” Says the Lord, the Lord of hosts.
5 The waters will fail from the sea, And the river will be wasted and dried up.
6 The rivers will turn foul; The brooks of defense will be emptied and dried up; The reeds and rushes will wither.
7 The papyrus reeds by the River, by the mouth of the River, And everything sown by the River, Will wither, be driven away, and be no more.
8 The fishermen also will mourn; All those will lament who cast hooks into the River, And they will languish who spread nets on the waters.
9 Moreover those who work in fine flax And those who weave fine fabric will be ashamed;
10 And its foundations will be broken. All who make wages will be troubled of soul.

God pronounces judgment on Egypt, warning that He will come swiftly like a cloud to bring disaster. Their idols will fall, and internal strife will tear the nation apart. Civil war and chaos will reign, and Egypt’s wisdom will fail. Instead of turning to God, they will seek help from their idols and occult practices, to no avail. Natural calamities will also strike, drying up the Nile, leading to widespread economic collapse. Fishermen, weavers, and all workers depending on the river’s resources will suffer deeply. Egypt’s prosperity and stability will crumble as a result of God’s intervention.

Isaiah 19:11-15 (NKJV)
11 Surely the princes of Zoan are fools; Pharaoh’s wise counselors give foolish counsel. How do you say to Pharaoh, “I am the son of the wise, The son of ancient kings?”
12 Where are they? Where are your wise men? Let them tell you now, And let them know what the Lord of hosts has purposed against Egypt.
13 The princes of Zoan have become fools; The princes of Noph are deceived; They have also deluded Egypt, Those who are the mainstay of its tribes.
14 The Lord has mingled a perverse spirit in her midst; And they have caused Egypt to err in all her work, As a drunken man staggers in his vomit.
15 Neither will there be any work for Egypt, Which the head or tail, Palm branch or bulrush, may do.

The leaders and wise men of Egypt, particularly from the cities of Zoan and Noph, are condemned as fools. Their counsel, which should be guiding the nation, has led to Egypt’s ruin. God declares that these leaders have been deceived, and their confusion and incompetence will further weaken Egypt. The people will be like a drunk man, incapable of sound decision-making or recovery. No part of society—whether leaders (head) or commoners (tail)—will be able to work effectively, symbolizing the complete paralysis and breakdown of the nation’s systems.

Isaiah 19:16-17 (NKJV)
16 In that day Egypt will be like women, and will be afraid and fear because of the waving of the hand of the Lord of hosts, which He waves over it.
17 And the land of Judah will be a terror to Egypt; everyone who makes mention of it will be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the Lord of hosts which He has determined against it.

In the day of judgment, Egypt will be struck with overwhelming fear and trembling at God’s power. The once-proud nation will be reduced to helplessness, afraid of the Lord’s hand of judgment. Interestingly, Judah, though much smaller in comparison, will strike fear in Egypt, not by its military might but because of God's plan and purpose for Egypt’s downfall. The mention of Judah will evoke terror as Egyptians realize that the true God of Israel is executing His will.

Isaiah 19:18-22 (NKJV)
18 In that day five cities in the land of Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear by 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 at its border.
20 And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the Lord because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them.
21 Then the Lord will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day, and will make sacrifice and offering; yes, they will make a vow to the Lord and perform it.
22 And the Lord will strike Egypt, He will strike and heal it; they will return to the Lord, and He will be entreated by them and heal them.

After the judgment, a remarkable transformation will take place in Egypt. Five cities will begin speaking the language of Canaan, symbolizing their alignment with Israel and their devotion to God. Egypt will build an altar to the Lord, and a monument will be erected as a witness of their faith in Him. God will respond to their cries of oppression by sending a Savior to deliver them. Egypt will come to know the Lord, offer sacrifices, and worship Him. Though God will strike Egypt in judgment, He will also heal them, and they will turn back to Him in repentance.

Isaiah 19:23-25 (NKJV)
23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians.
24 In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land,
25 whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, “Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.”

In a prophetic vision of unity, a highway will connect Egypt and Assyria, symbolizing peace and cooperation between these nations that were once enemies. They will join Israel in serving the Lord, forming a blessed trio. God will bless all three nations—Egypt, Assyria, and Israel—calling Egypt “My people,” Assyria “the work of My hands,” and Israel “My inheritance.” This remarkable passage shows God’s plan to unite former enemies and bring them into a covenant relationship with Him, breaking down national barriers in favor of a shared devotion to the one true God.