Isaiah 19:1-15; ; Isaiah 19:22-25
It is Egypt’s turn to hear a threatening burden: civil war, tyranny by a cruel despot like Pharaoh in a previous age, the drying up of the Nile — that most important waterway, the wealth and pride of the country (Ezekiel 29:3); such are the main events which lie in store for Israel’s traditional enemy.
These princes of Zoan and Noph provide us with a true reflection of the men of this world. They consider themselves wise but are only fools (v. 11; cf. Romans 1:22), because they refuse to listen to the God who has revealed Himself. At the same time they put their faith in every possible form of superstition (cf. v. 3). Moreover it is amazing that, in a paradoxical way, the worst unbelievers are often the most gullible! That is perfectly easy to explain: they are, without realising it, blinded and misled by Satan, the cruel lord and fierce king who rules over them by deceiving them (v. 4; 2 Timothy 3:13). But the grace of God will still express itself even towards Egypt. Alongside Israel, the special inheritance of the LORD, there will be room in the millennial blessing for Egypt and Assyria, at one time the enemies of the people of God but types of the world which in its entirety will at that time be subject to the Son of Man (Genesis 22:18).