Isaiah 19:19-22

Isaiah 19:19-22

[19] 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.  [20] 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. [21] And the LORD  shall be known  to Egypt,  shall know  the LORD  in that day,  and shall do  sacrifice  and oblation;  yea, they shall vow  a vow  unto the LORD,  and perform  [22] 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.

What does Isaiah 19:19-22 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Abraham built an altar to express his gratitude and commitment to the Lord ( Genesis 12:8; cf. Joshua 22:34; Joshua 24:26-27), and Jacob erected a pillar when he memorialized God"s covenant to him ( Genesis 28:22). The Egyptians will do these things throughout their land to express those things in that day ( Isaiah 19:19). Israelites during the Judges Period cried out to God because of their oppressors, and He sent them deliverers ( Judges 3:9; Judges 3:15; Judges 6:7; Judges 10:10). Their great oppressor in the past, of course, had been Egypt herself. Similarly, when the Egyptians call out to God for help, He will send them a Savior and a Champion, Messiah ( Isaiah 19:20). The Lord revealed Himself to the Israelites and brought them into a saving relationship with Himself through bitter defeat in the Exodus ( Exodus 7:5; Exodus 9:29; Exodus 14:4). He will do the same to the Egyptians in that future day ( Isaiah 19:21; cf. Jeremiah 31:34; Zechariah 14:16-18), and they will respond with appropriate worship. Parents sometimes strike their children to bring them into line, and God will discipline Egypt to bring her to Himself. He will hurt them, but He will hurt them to heal them, like a surgeon ( Isaiah 19:22). This whole section is a picture of reconciliation still future.
"This is the point: the worship of Yahweh in Egypt will be open and official.... Historical fulfillment here, like historical fulfillment in each of the five "in that day" passages, did not occur." [1]