Chapter 19 With this chapter, as well as the next one, Isaiah continues his series of woes upon Israel's neighboring nations. This series of woes is aimed at Egypt. Contemporary with Isaiah's time, Egypt was one of the largest military and more stable powers in the region. Their existence was largely centered on the Nile river and delta as it provided water year round in a climate that was otherwise a desert. Without the Nile, it seems unlikely that Egypt would ever have become the nation that it was and even less likely that it would have remained a relatively stable one as well. Both Ezekiel (Ezek. 29-30) and Jeremiah (Jer. 46) pronounce woes upon Egypt as well. And, in both of their pronouncements the Nile figures in prominently. But, both of their prophecies deal with events that appear to push for a historically fulfilled interpretation given the king of Babylon referenced is specifically identified as Nebuchadnezzer. Curiously enough though, Smith's Bible Dictionary reads "The military successes of Nebuchadnezzer cannot be traced minutely beyond this point. It may be gathered from the prophetical Scriptures and from Josephus, that the conquest of Jerusalem was rapidly followed by the fall of Tyre and the complete submission of Phoenicia (Ezek. 26-28; Josephus e. Ap. 1:21); after which the Babylonians carried their arms into Egypt, and inflicted severe injuries on that fertile country (Jer. 46:13-26; Ezek. 29:2:20, Josephus Ant. 10:9, s7). But we have no account, on which we can depend, of these campaigns" (excerpt from entry on Nebuchadnezzer). So, these prophecies may indeed have eschatological implications as they may not have been fulfilled historically. If that is the case, then Nebuchadnezzer would be used as a figure of the king of Babylon similar to Isaiah's usage of that title in Isaiah 14. In any case, Jeremiah's and Ezekiel's comments on Egypt are quite instructive as they use a considerable amount of prophetic rhetoric and imagery that is subsequently explained either directly or indirectly (i.e. by context) in the text. Thus, a number of obscure symbols are revealed to the reader and we may apply this to our study of Isaiah's writings. Review of the above mentioned chapters is recommended as the similarities between those accounts and Isaiah's will not be covered in any great detail here. v1 Isaiah starts this pronouncement with an authority statement. The Lord is exalted and powerful and compared to Him the idolatrous nations of the earth, even the mightiest ones, are nothing. The prideful heart of the Egyptians will sink at the Day of the Lord's wrath. Riding on a cloud is a common Semitism denoting an exalted condition and great power, so great that nature heeds your call (compare Exod. 13:21, Job 37, Ps. 104:3). v1d "idols", by cross reference with 17:8, idols here can refer to anything created by man which he adores or serves and not necessarily a cultic statue or ritual artifact (although v. 3 indicates that they practice necromancy). v2-4 is a quote from the Lord documented by Isaiah. This quote delivers three punishments dealt to the Egyptians: internal conflict, the withdrawal of His Spirit, and despotic subjugation. Compare Deut. 9:3 where the Lord informs Israel (who is about to enter into the Canaan valley) that He is the one that goes before them to prepare the way for their military conquest. The Lord is a strategist who plans carefully and methodically to bring about His will on earth. v2 "United we stand, divided we fall." Wickedness at a societal or national scale results in social strife that culminates in civil war, cp. 9:20. v3 implies that as a result of having Egypt's spirit drained their plans are confounded because they resort to necromancy rather than relying on the Lord. As the Lord will no longer deal with Egypt because of their wickedness and rebellion, His Spirit withdraws and they are left to consult with the evil spirits that have already captivated them. His Spirit withdraws and Egypt is left alone to destroy itself. Compare 1 Ne. 7:14, Morm. 5:16, D&C 1:33, Moses 8:17. v4 is probably referring to the subject of chapter 20, but is sufficiently ambiguous to refer to other political self-seekers that abuse the peoples for personal gain previous to the events of chapter 20. v5-10 Here Isaiah recounts another punishment to be meted out against Egypt: the drying up of the Nile. As the foundation of the Egyptian economy and the source of their food the Nile was critical to the prosperity of Egypt. Farming, fishing and textile production were the major staples of Egypt's trade-based economy and Isaiah tells us that all of them will be impacted. This kind of economic failure could easily lead to the events described in v. 2-4. Thus, Isaiah may be warning the inhabitants of Egypt what the early stages of the Lord's wrath being played out on Egypt will look like so the readers may prepare. From an eschatological point of view, the economy of Egypt historically need not be the same as the economy of latter-day "Egypt". Isaiah's intent may simply be to tell us that "Egypt's" economic mainstays will be shattered by the Lord's stoppage of blessings of prosperity, whatever that form of prosperity may be. v11-15 details another of Egypt's problems, namely its politicians. Here, Isaiah presents this as one of the fundamental causes of Egypt's downfall. Because of the poor political leadership the entire nation is being lead astray. The result is that the Lord inflicts the political leadership with "a spirit of distortion" that causes inertia through incompetence. v11 reveals the stupidity of Pharaoh's councilors that is coupled with ridiculous pride. The boasts of these advisers is that they are as wise as any of history's wisest leaders. These advisers also appear to claim to be descendants of past rulers and thus posses nobility or right to rulership by birth. Or, it may indicate some kind of elitist nepotism present in the society. The alternative is that these advisers are not literally related but instead claim relation by virtue of their great wisdom and stature. In any case, Isaiah is unimpressed by their claims. v12 Isaiah mocks these arrogant "sages" and derides their ignorance of what the Lord is intending to do to their nation. This verse also carries the message that the politicians are ignorant of religious things in general as they fail to search the words of the Lord or consult with Him in their undertakings. Thus, they are either secularized or engaging in some heathen religious practices. v13 Isaiah places the responsibility for Egypt's poor condition on its political leaders. Because of their foolish delusions they have led their own people astray (i.e. away from the Lord). The cities named in this verse are the historically prominent political cities of Egypt. v14 compares the actions of Egypt's ruling elite to a stumbling, confused drunkard who has drunk to the point of poisoning himself and therefore vomits. An interesting allegory revealing the self- destructive nature of these people and ultimately the nation itself. v15 As a result of the delusion of all people of Egypt, the condition is such that political action and social functions in general grind to a halt. The exact causal events resulting in this political inertia are not identified, but we may assume it is a conglomeration of acts as a result of incompetence, stupidity, arrogance and selfishness as the previous verses indicate. By way of summary, Isaiah's figure of Egypt is a political, military and economically powerful secularized (ironically engaging in necromancy though) nation. As a result, the Lord abandons them to their own devices. Their social structure is subsequently shaken by general economic collapse. This results in social strife that makes the nation a prime candidate for invasion by a foreign military power. v16-24 is a series of interconnected prophecies that deal primarily with Egypt, but also link Assyria and Israel with it's fate. Review the JPS footnotes on this section as they are quite instructive. However, I would have arranged the verses a little different from the JPS arrangement, as follows: Paragraph No. JPS Kurt Rationale ------------- --- ---- --------- 1 v16-18 v16-17 Affliction of Egypt 2 v19-22 v18-22 Repentance of Egypt 3 v23 v23-25 Millennial Unification 4 v24-25 v16-17 Egypt's military might is turned into cowardice so complete that even the mention of an enemy's name causes absolute dread. The irony of the circumstances are such that Judah, which used to be in fear of Egypt, is now menacing it. The usage of the term "Judah" in this passage implies more than simply them that are of the lineage of Judah. It is reference to them that are spiritually of the Lord as is indicated by v. 18. Also, this statement implies that "Judah" at this time is a military power to be reckoned with. The comparison of Egypt to women need not be considered a sexist remark. In the arena of physical combat the individual with the greatest amount of lean muscle mass, combat training and experience is typically the winner. As females intrinsically posses a lower capacity to develop lean muscle mass by virtue of their biology their capacity to inflict damage on others is limited when compared with males. Furthermore, women in virtually every society are not trained for physical combat at the same rate as men are. Thus, Isaiah's comment is not a bigoted remark, but is an apt analogy born out by objective evidence. v18-22 reveals that while the wickedness of the Egyptians is great (as attested to by v. 2-15), the real reason the Lord is afflicting Egypt is to get them to repent (not an unusual tactic, compare Lev. 26). As a result of their repenting the Lord will reveal Himself to them and they will come to speak the "language of Canaan", or worship the Lord in truth and spirit, by swearing loyalty to Him (cf. Zeph. 3:9, also cp. 2 Ne. 32:2). They will build altars to Him and sacrifice to Him and He will provide a deliverer for them from their oppressors as a result. v23-24 is a millennial reference indicating that the culmination of the Day of the Lord is the complete unification of all nations under the head of Israel. As the unrepentant wicked are destroyed, all that remains is the repentant remnant. As all are repentant they will be worthy to be called His people regardless of previous affiliations. That the Lord calls Egypt and Assyria "My people" is unprecedented as this is a statement reserved specifically for Israel under the Abrahamic covenant. It should be noted that when the Lord states these two gentile nations are identified as "My people", Israel is invoked as a standard of blessing and partner in their acceptance.