Isaiah 19 - Egypt

Now it is Egypt's turn. As we know, Israel spent many years in captivity in Egypt, finally being released in the Exodus. Despite this she had a recurring hankering to go back there, the "security" of enslavement seeming preferable to the responsibility of freedom. This was evident almost from the moment she got out of Egypt. As soon as difficulties and threats were encountered she longed to go back to Egypt. Even when she obtained in her own homeland, Israel periodically made alliances with Egypt in an attempt to protect herself.

Egypt has a well established religious system, albeit one that worshipped false idols of various sorts. All these gods would prove to be useless in the attack that would ensue upon Egypt, coming from Assyria. The attack from Assyria would be coupled with natural disasters as well.

Zoan was a major city in the Egyptian dynasty of the time, hence the home of the nation's advisers and experts. Their advice would be useless and futile. Egypt would be at a total loss as to what to do about the onslaught. 

When they came out of Egypt and through the Red Sea God said the Egyptians would know that He is the Lord (Exodus 14). In the days spoken of here the Egyptians would fear the mere mention of Judah, perhaps associating it with the Lord. Then we get the remarkable outcome of all this, a time when the Egyptians call upon the name of the Lord, and He rescues them. 

Then it gets even better. Assyria would be united with Egypt in praising God, and they together with Israel will live under the Lord's blessing. This is an amazing prophecy and one we do well to remember. We also need to see how it works out. First there is enormous turmoil and the eventual outcome is nowhere in sight. Then salvation comes to all when they turn to the Lord. Peace between nations will come only when they turn to God.