Isaiah

Isaiah 19: God strikes Egypt and heals

Begin in prayer

Before we see Egypt’s idols tremble, let us seek the God who judges and heals. Ask Him to show our family the mercy of Christ and the wonder of former enemies worshiping Him together.

So the nations will fear Yahweh’s name; all the kings of the earth your glory.

Psalm 102:15

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us Your power over idols and Your mercy toward the nations. Teach us to trust Christ and rejoice in the people You gather. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The LORD comes to Egypt, and idols tremble while the people turn against one another. He gives the land to a cruel ruler and dries the waters that support fields, fishing and cloth making. Its proud counselors become fools, and the LORD causes its work to stagger in confusion. The Egyptians tremble at His hand and fear the purpose He has determined. Yet Egyptian cities will swear allegiance to Him, and He will send a savior when they cry because of oppression. God will strike and heal Egypt, then join Egypt, Assyria and Israel in worship and blessing within the earth.

As you read Isaiah 19, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God strikes and heals Egypt and gathers former enemies to worship Him together.

Egypt’s confidence rested on idols, natural abundance and the wisdom of its rulers. The LORD’s arrival overturns each support. Egypt’s fields lay along the Nile (verse 7), and its fishermen, flax workers and weavers lived from the river (verses 8 and 9). The counselors’ ancient reputation cannot teach them what God has purposed. The confusion is His judgment, like a staggering man who cannot make his steps straight. Then the same land receives signs of allegiance to the LORD, an altar and a pillar bearing witness to Him. The cry of the oppressed receives a deliverer, and those struck return to God for healing. The highway joins former enemies as worshipers whom the LORD calls His own.

How does Isaiah 19 show us that God strikes and heals Egypt and gathers former enemies to worship Him together?

God exposes the weakness of Egypt’s confidence.

Its idols tremble, and the people fight one another before a cruel ruler takes power. When their own counsel fails, they seek idols and people who claim to consult spirits. Drying waters destroy the work that supplies food and cloth. God gives the counselors confusion, though they boast about their wisdom.

God hears the cry of the oppressed.

The altar and pillar testify that Egypt now acknowledges the LORD. The people cry for help, and He sends a savior and defender. Those He strikes will return and receive healing from Him.

God makes former enemies fellow worshipers.

A highway joins Egypt and Assyria so that they worship together. Israel stands with them as a blessing within the earth. The LORD calls Egypt His people and Assyria His handiwork alongside Israel His inheritance.

Memorise

Yahweh will strike Egypt, striking and healing. They will return to Yahweh, and he will be entreated by them, and will heal them.

Isaiah 19:22

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what false support must I leave as I seek healing and peace in Jesus?

God promises Egypt a future beyond its trembling idols. Isaiah says, “Yahweh will strike Egypt, striking and healing.” The people who cry under oppression will receive rescue, and former enemies will worship together.

Our sin leaves us needing more than repaired circumstances. Jesus was struck down for His people, and by His wounds they are healed. He rose in triumph, and the tomb stands empty. Through Him Jews and Gentiles approach the Father in one Spirit (Ephesians 2 verse 18), and His work is done once for all.

Turn from your idols and trust the Lord Jesus. The Savior receives repentant believers with forgiveness and peace with God. No national history can put those who come to Him beyond His mercy. The Lord who heals also gathers His people to worship together.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God judges Egypt and also promises it healing. His blessing gathers worshipers from former enemies, with one salvation found in Christ. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He heals those who return and gathers former enemies, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

I tell you that many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven,

Matthew 8:11

God of the nations, thank You for mercy that reaches people who once opposed You. Please bring our family to repentance and faith in Jesus. Turn us from idols and teach us to rejoice in Your people from every land. Let us seek peace and worship You this week. Amen.