Year 9, Day 4: Isaiah 19-20

Theological Commentary: Click Here

To truly understand these chapters, a brief history lesson is necessary.  We know Assyria was coming against Judah and the surrounding nations.  We also know that in the time of the Old Testament there were two main sources of power: Egypt to the southwest and Babylon/Assyria to the north and east.  When one power rose up and threatened the Hebrew people, they often sought to make a pact with the other power so that the other power would come and scare the first one off.  Therefore, when Assyria comes onto the scene and desires to overtake the Promised Land, the nations turned to Egypt and sought protection from them.

Of course, God finds this offensive.  He doesn’t mind that Egypt is so strong, although He might take issue with how they use their power.  What makes God angry is that His own people turn to the help from Egypt more than they turn to Him.  God is offended that His own people would think that Egypt has a greater chance to save them than He does.  What this really is saying is that God’s own people put more faith in the power of the chariot and the power of the spear than they had in God’s power.

Therefore, God gives a warning to Egypt (and Cush).  He tells them that if they get involved against the Assyrians, whom God is using to bring judgment in the Promised Land, that they will entangle themselves in judgment and they will be overcome by the Assyrians.  It’s a warning to stay out of God’s way!  God isn’t intending to bring judgment against Egypt and Cush unless they force Him to do so.

Of course, we know they get involved.  The promises of wealth and loyalty from the nations of the Promised Land are too much to ignore.  We know the Assyrians and even the Babylonians bring the fight into Egypt and overtake some of their land.  God’s judgment against their involvement happens.

There is something cool that happens, though.  All along we’ve seen that the upside to God’s judgment is that it is followed by grace.  Although Egypt will get involved, there will be people in Egypt who will learn to praise God.  Pockets of faith will grow in Egypt.  Egypt will entangle itself in Assyrian and there will be a price to pay.  But it won’t be the end of the world.  God’s grace will even extend to His great enemy of the Old Testament, Egypt.

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