Isa 19:1-10 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Isa 19:1-20:6: 19:1–20:6 See also Jer 46 ; Ezek 29–32 . Summary for Isa 19:1-10: 19:1-10 Egypt was vulnerable, depending on the Nile for food, fish, and industry. When the Lord struck the Nile, Egypt would be in dire straits, and their gods would not be able to help. 19:1 Riding on a swift cloud shows God’s sovereignty and power over creation (Ps 104:3 ). He is coming in judgment against Judah’s enemies (see Deut 33:26 ; Pss 18:9-10 ; 68:4 ; 97:2-3 ). • The idols of Egypt tremble because they are weak and impotent, unable to help (see Isa 40:18 ; 45:16 ; 46:1 ).

Summary for Isa 19:1-20:6: 19:1–20:6 ^a See also Jer 46 ^b; Ezek 29–32 ^c.
Summary for Isa 19:1-10: 19:1-10 ^d Egypt was vulnerable, depending on the Nile for food, fish, and industry. When the Lord struck the Nile, Egypt would be in dire straits, and their gods would not be able to help. 19:1 ^e Riding on a swift cloud shows God’s sovereignty and power over creation (Ps 104:3 ^f). He is coming in judgment against Judah’s enemies (see Deut 33:26 ^g; Pss 18:9-10 ^h; 68:4 ⁱ; 97:2-3 ^j).

• The idols of Egypt tremble because they are weak and impotent, unable to help (see Isa 40:18 ^k; 45:16 ^l; 46:1 ^m).
19:2 ⁿ Egypt had a history of civil wars that ravaged the country. Egypt’s fragile unity was breaking apart.
19:3 ^o Idols ... spirits, mediums, and those who consult the spirits of the dead were called upon in an attempt to ward off impending destruction (see 8:19-22 ^p; 47:12-13 ^q).
19:4 ^r hard, cruel master: In 671 BC, the Assyrian king Esarhaddon invaded Egypt and destroyed the royal city of Memphis. In 663 BC, Ashurbanipal attacked and destroyed Thebes (see Nah 3:8-10 ^s).
19:5 ^t The waters of the Nile were Egypt’s lifeline. Any disturbance in the regular pattern of flooding affected the whole nation. In ancient Egypt, the Nile was considered to be a god. However, the true God could easily dry it up.
19:9 ^u There was no flax or thread: The drought crippled the linen industry.