Isaiah 19 · Grade 4

An Altar in Egypt

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Read and Think

Isaiah 19 begins, "Behold, Yahweh rides on a swift cloud, and comes to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence." Egypt would fall into confusion. Its counselors gave foolish advice. The Nile would dry up, so fishermen and workers in flax would have no work.

Isaiah asked, "Where then are your wise men?" The advisers of Pharaoh did not know what Yahweh of Armies had planned. But the second half of the chapter is full of surprising hope. "In that day, there will be an altar to Yahweh in the middle of the land of Egypt." When the Egyptians cry to Yahweh, "he will send them a savior and a defender, and he will deliver them."

"Yahweh will strike Egypt, striking and healing." Then a highway would join Egypt and Assyria, two old enemies, and they would worship together. Israel would be "a blessing within the earth." God would say, "Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance."

Show What You Know

What happens to Egypt's idols when Yahweh comes?
What would God send when the Egyptians cry to him?
What two old enemies would be joined by a highway?
What three names does God give in the final blessing?

Think About It

God struck Egypt in order to heal it. How can hard times be used by God to bring people back to him?
Egypt and Assyria were enemies of God's people, yet God planned to bless them. How does this change how you see people you think of as enemies?

Memory Verse

“Yahweh will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know Yahweh in that day. Yes, they will worship with sacrifice and offering, and will vow a vow to Yahweh, and will perform it.”

Isaiah 19:21 (WEB)

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Prayer

Dear God, thank You for blessing all nations. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What does striking and healing mean?
How can you show kindness to someone who has hurt you?