And the LORD will strike Egypt with a plague; He will strike them but heal them. They will turn to the LORD, and He will hear their prayers and heal them. And the LORD will strike Egypt with a plague;This phrase indicates divine intervention and judgment. In biblical history, Egypt is often seen as a symbol of worldly power and opposition to God's people, as seen in the Exodus narrative. The "plague" recalls the plagues of Egypt in Exodus, which were acts of judgment against Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt. This suggests a pattern where God uses plagues as a means to demonstrate His sovereignty and to call nations to repentance. He will strike them but heal them.
This reflects God's dual nature of justice and mercy. While God disciplines, His ultimate purpose is restoration. The striking followed by healing suggests a redemptive process, where judgment leads to repentance and restoration. This is consistent with God's character throughout Scripture, where He desires not the death of the wicked but that they turn from their ways and live (Ezekiel 18:23). They will turn to the LORD,
This phrase indicates repentance and conversion. The turning to the LORD signifies a change of heart and allegiance. In the context of Isaiah, this is a prophetic vision of Egypt acknowledging the God of Israel, which is significant given Egypt's historical role as an oppressor. This turning is a fulfillment of God's promise to bless all nations through Abraham's seed (Genesis 12:3). and He will hear their prayers and heal them.
This highlights God's responsiveness to genuine repentance. The assurance that God will hear prayers is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing His readiness to forgive and restore those who seek Him (2 Chronicles 7:14). The healing mentioned here is both spiritual and possibly physical, symbolizing a complete restoration of relationship with God. This can be seen as a type of Christ, who through His sacrifice, offers healing and reconciliation to all nations. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is sovereign over all nations, including Egypt. 2. EgyptA significant nation in biblical history, often seen as a symbol of worldly power and opposition to God's people. 3. PlagueA divine judgment or calamity sent by God as a means of correction or punishment. 4. HealingThe restoration and reconciliation that follows repentance and turning back to God. 5. Turning to the LORDThe act of repentance and seeking God, resulting in divine response and healing. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over NationsGod is in control of all nations, and His purposes will be accomplished, even through judgment. Judgment as a Means to RepentanceGod's judgments are not merely punitive but are intended to lead people to repentance and restoration. The Promise of HealingGod's desire is to heal and restore those who turn to Him, demonstrating His mercy and grace. The Importance of RepentanceTrue repentance involves turning away from sin and turning towards God, resulting in His response and healing. God's Faithfulness to RespondWhen people genuinely seek God, He is faithful to respond to their pleas and bring healing. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of God striking and healing reflect His character and purposes? 2. In what ways can the account of the plagues in Exodus help us understand God's actions in Isaiah 19:22? 3. How does the promise of healing in Isaiah 19:22 encourage us in our personal walk with God? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to "turn to the LORD" in times of personal or national crisis? 5. How can we apply the principles of repentance and healing found in Isaiah 19:22 to our relationships with others? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 7-12The plagues of Egypt during the time of Moses, demonstrating God's power and judgment. 2 Chronicles 7:14The promise of healing and restoration when God's people humble themselves, pray, and seek His face. Hosea 6:1-2A call to return to the LORD for healing and restoration after judgment. Acts 3:19The call to repentance and the promise of times of refreshing from the Lord. People Assyrians, Egyptians, Isaiah, PharaohPlaces Assyria, Canaan, City of Destruction, Egypt, Memphis, Nile River, ZoanTopics Disease, Ear, Egypt, Entreated, Heal, Healed, Healing, Heed, Intreated, Plague, Pleas, Prayer, Punishment, Respond, Return, Smite, Smiting, Smitten, Strike, Striking, Supplications, TurnDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 19:22 4843 plague
5932 response
6629 conversion, examples
6734 repentance, importance
6735 repentance, examples
9210 judgment, God's Isaiah 19:19-24 9155 millennium Isaiah 19:22-25 8151 revival, corporate Library The Fruits of Grace
"In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the Lord of hosts; one shall be called the city of destruction. In that day shall there be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the Lord. And it all be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the Lord because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a Saviour, and a great one, and he shall …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 62: 1916 'He Uttered his Voice, the Earth Melted'
'Then Isaiah the son of Amos sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard. 21. This is the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee. 22. Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Exposition of the Moral Law.
1. The Law was committed to writing, in order that it might teach more fully and perfectly that knowledge, both of God and of ourselves, which the law of nature teaches meagrely and obscurely. Proof of this, from an enumeration of the principal parts of the Moral Law; and also from the dictate of natural law, written on the hearts of all, and, in a manner, effaced by sin. 2. Certain general maxims. 1. From the knowledge of God, furnished by the Law, we learn that God is our Father and Ruler. Righteousness …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion a survey of the third and closing discourse of the prophet
We shall now, in conclusion, give a survey of the third and closing discourse of the prophet. After an introduction in vi. 1, 2, where the mountains serve only to give greater solemnity to the scene (in the fundamental passages Deut. xxxii. 1, and in Is. 1, 2, "heaven and earth" are mentioned for the same purposes, inasmuch as they are the most venerable parts of creation; "contend with the mountains" by taking them in and applying to [Pg 522] them as hearers), the prophet reminds the people of …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Manner of Covenanting.
Previous to an examination of the manner of engaging in the exercise of Covenanting, the consideration of God's procedure towards his people while performing the service seems to claim regard. Of the manner in which the great Supreme as God acts, as well as of Himself, our knowledge is limited. Yet though even of the effects on creatures of His doings we know little, we have reason to rejoice that, in His word He has informed us, and in His providence illustrated by that word, he has given us to …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Covenanting Predicted in Prophecy.
The fact of Covenanting, under the Old Testament dispensations, being approved of God, gives a proof that it was proper then, which is accompanied by the voice of prophecy, affording evidence that even in periods then future it should no less be proper. The argument for the service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar, and, though corresponding with evidence from other sources, is independent. Because that God willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets, we should receive it …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Isaiah
CHAPTERS I-XXXIX Isaiah is the most regal of the prophets. His words and thoughts are those of a man whose eyes had seen the King, vi. 5. The times in which he lived were big with political problems, which he met as a statesman who saw the large meaning of events, and as a prophet who read a divine purpose in history. Unlike his younger contemporary Micah, he was, in all probability, an aristocrat; and during his long ministry (740-701 B.C., possibly, but not probably later) he bore testimony, as …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Isaiah 19:22 NIVIsaiah 19:22 NLTIsaiah 19:22 ESVIsaiah 19:22 NASBIsaiah 19:22 KJV
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