Judgment of Egypt

Isaiah 19:1–15
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This passage begins one of Isaiah’s most unusual prophecies in that it is both a message of judgment and blessing that is to come upon Egypt. Judgment was to come to Egypt from the Lord. God is pictured as riding on a swift cloud (v. 1). He was the true giver of rain (not Baal) which was something Egypt would sorely need. This judgment brought internal despair and division among the people (v. 2). They try to get advice from their idols and fortunetellers (v. 3). God says He will put them under the power of a cruel, heartless king (v. 4).

The river (v. 5) undoubtedly refers to the Nile. A drought would ruin the economy. The people depended on the annual flooding of the Nile over the fields to enrich the soil. With the drying up of the Nile, every sown field would wilt (vv. 6-7) and the fishermen using either hooks or nets would not be able to pursue their livelihood (v. 8). This was true of those who derived their income from working with flax, which depended on water for its growth. The cloth makers and weavers will not know what to do (vv. 9-10). In other words, the entire economy depended on the Nile River. The king’s officials give stupid advice (vv. 11-13). The Lord has confused Egypt and its leaders stagger in their vomit like a drunkard and no man can do anything, no matter who they are (vv. 14-15). Foolish confidence in one’s own wisdom leads not only to failure but also causes others to follow a pathway to disaster.

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