God Saves People from Bad Countries

Isaiah 19 continues the oracles of the Lord against the nations around Israel. This time, it's Egypt in the crosshairs.

Isaiah 19:1 (ESV) An oracle concerning Egypt. Behold, the LORD is riding on a swift cloud and comes to Egypt; and the idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence, and the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them.

Notice that God's presence is enough to melt the Egyptians. God's presence is something we seek after but we must always remember we can only have it joyfully when Christ stands as our mediator. The presence of God is a fearful thing apart from the salvation that we have in Christ. 

Isaiah 19:2–4 (ESV) And I will stir up Egyptians against Egyptians, and they will fight, each against another and each against his neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom; 3 and the spirit of the Egyptians within them will be emptied out, and I will confound their counsel; and they will inquire of the idols and the sorcerers, and the mediums and the necromancers; 4 and I will give over the Egyptians into the hand of a hard master, and a fierce king will rule over them, declares the Lord GOD of hosts.

God's presence brings judgment through division. These are also the images Jesus presents in the End Times. Could it be that his coming will increase the division of nations and people within nations as a sign the judgment is soon to come?

Isaiah 19:7 (ESV) There will be bare places by the Nile, on the brink of the Nile, and all that is sown by the Nile will be parched, will be driven away, and will be no more.

God will judge the Nile, a symbol of Egypt's life and even her worship. But when God shows up, the Nile will be bare and parched. The judgment will affect her industry as the Nile is central to all of it. 

Isaiah 19:8–10 (ESV) The fishermen will mourn and lament, all who cast a hook in the Nile; and they will languish who spread nets on the water. 9 The workers in combed flax will be in despair, and the weavers of white cotton. 10 Those who are the pillars of the land will be crushed, and all who work for pay will be grieved.

Finally, Egypt's pharaoh will be exposed before the Lord. 
Isaiah 19:11–12 (ESV) The princes of Zoan are utterly foolish; the wisest counselors of Pharaoh give stupid counsel. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am a son of the wise, a son of ancient kings”? 12 Where then are your wise men? Let them tell you that they might know what the LORD of hosts has purposed against Egypt.

This picture of judgment is important for us to understand when it comes to the national judgment of a people. There will be a weakness of heart, there will be rampant division, there will be dried-up resources, and an impoverished industry. 

What do we see today in America but these very things. People are not mentally whole, they are terribly divided and our industry is not nearly as great as it once was. All of this happens as God draws near to a land that has scorned His goodness and kindness. 

And yet, Isaiah turns again to the mercy of the Lord available to even Egypt. 
Isaiah 19:19–20 (ESV) In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border. 20 It will be a sign and a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry to the LORD because of oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and deliver them.

God still saves people from Godless nations. He has always done this and He will even now. Your country may be experiencing the signs of God's judgment but there's hope to those who come to the altar of the Lord, cry out to Him, and seek the Savior He has sent. 

It's truly amazing that Isaiah keeps coming back to this theme. Yes, judgment will come, but salvation will always follow.





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