The Heart of Egypt Melts

Judah's immediate neighbor to the south is Egypt, long an enemy of God's covenant people.  Isaiah chapter 19 recounts  the unsettled state of affairs in Egypt during Isaiah's lifetime.  There is civil war in Egypt, with "city against city, kingdom against kingdom."  (Isaiah 19:2, 13, 14) Historians present evidence of rival dynasties ruling different parts of the country at the same time.  The vaunted wisdom of Egypt, with her 'valueless gods and charmers,' does not save her from "the hand of a hard  master."  (Isaiah 19:3, 4) Egypt is successfully conquered by Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome.  All these events fulfill the prophecies of Isaiah 19:1-11.

However, in the Bible, Egypt often symbolizes Satan's world.  (Ezekiel 29:3; Joel 3:19; Revelation 11:8)  Therefore, does Isaiah's  "pronouncement against Egypt" have a larger fulfillment?  Yes, indeed!  The opening words of the prophecy should give everyone cause to take notice: "Look! Jehovah is riding on a swift cloud and coming into Egypt. And the valueless gods of Egypt will certainly quiver because of him, and the very heart of Egypt will melt in the midst of it."  (Isaiah 19:1)  Jehovah will soon move against Satan's organization. At that time, the gods of this system of things will be seen to be valueless.  (Psalm 96:55; 97:7)  "The very heart of Egypt will melt" in fear.  Jesus foretold that time:  "There will be . . .anguish of nations, not knowing he way out because of the roaring of the sea and its agitation while men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth." -Luke 21:25, 26.

Of the time leading up to his execution of judgment, Jehovah says prophetically:  "I will goad Egyptians against Egyptians, and they will certainly war each one against his brother, and each one against his companion, city against city, kingdom against kingdom."  (Isaiah 19:2)  Since the establishment of God's Kingdom in 1914, "the sign of [Jesus'] presence" has been marked by nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom. Tribal massacres, bloody genocides, and so-called ethnic cleansings have claimed millions of lives during these last days.  Such "pangs of distress" will only get worse as the end draws nearer. - Matthew 24:3, 7, 8.

"The spirit of Egypt must become bewildered in the midst of it, and I shall confuse its own counsel.  And they will be certain to resort to the valueless gods and to the charmers and to the spirit mediums and to the professional foretellers of events."  (Isaiah 19:3) When Moses appeared before Pharaoh, the priests of Egypt were put to shame, unable to match Jehovah in power.  (Exodus 8:18, 19; Acts 13:8; 2 Timothy 3:8)  Similarly, in the day of judgment, false religion will be unable to save this corrupt system.  (Compare Isaiah 47:1, 11-13)  Eventually, Egypt came under "a hard master," Assyria.  (Isaiah 19:4) This foreshadows the bleak future facing this system of things.

What, though, of the political leaders?  Can they help?  "The princes of Zoan are indeed foolish.  As regards the wise ones of Pharaoh's counselors, their counsel is something unreasonable."  (Read Isaiah 19:5-11)  How unreasonable to hope that human  counselors will be of any use in the day of judgment!  Even with all the world's knowledge at their disposal, they lack godly wisdom.  (1 Corinthians 3:19)   They have rejected Jehovah and have turned to science so-called, philosophy, money, pleasure, and other substitute gods.  As a result, they have no knowledge of God's purposes.  They are deceived  and disconcerted.  Their works are in vain.  (Read Isaiah 19:12-15)  "The wise ones have become ashamed.  They have become terrified and will be caught.  Look!  They have rejected the very word of Jehovah, and what wisdom do they have?" -Jeremiah 8:9.

Next time: A Sign and a Witness to Jehovah

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, 2000