18 In that day five cities in the land of Egypt will be speaking the language of Canaan and swearing allegiance to the Lord of hosts ; one will be called the City of Destruction . 19 In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt , and a pillar to the Lord near its border . 20 It will become a sign and a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt ; for they will cry to the Lord because e of oppressors , and He will send them a Savior and a Champion , and He will deliver them. 21 Thus the Lord will make Himself known to Egypt , and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day . They will even worship with sacrifice and offering , and will make a vow to the Lord and perform it. 22 The Lord will strike Egypt , striking but healing ; so they will return to the Lord , and He will respond to them and will heal them. 23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria , and the Assyrians will come into Egypt and the Egyptians into Assyria , and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians . 24 In that day Israel will be the third party with Egypt and Assyria , a blessing in the midst of the earth , 25 whom the Lord of hosts has blessed , saying , "Blessed is Egypt My people , and Assyria the work of My hands , and Israel My inheritance ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 19:18-25
Commentary on Isaiah 19:18-25
(Read Isaiah 19:18-25)
The words, "In that day," do not always refer to the passage just before. At a time which was to come, the Egyptians shall speak the holy language, the Scripture language; not only understand it, but use it. Converting grace, by changing the heart, changes the language; for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. So many Jews shall come to Egypt, that they shall soon fill five cities. Where the sun was worshipped, a place infamous for idolatry, even there shall be a wonderful reformation. Christ, the great Altar, who sanctifies every gift, shall be owned, and the gospel sacrifices of prayer and praise shall be offered up. Let the broken-hearted and afflicted, whom the Lord has wounded, and thus taught to return to, and call upon him, take courage; for He will heal their souls, and turn their sorrowing supplications into joyful praises. The Gentile nations shall not only unite with each other in the gospel fold under Christ, the great Shepherd, but they shall all be united with the Jews. They shall be owned together by him; they shall all share in one and the same blessing. Meeting at the same throne of grace, and serving with each other in the same business of religion, should end all disputes, and unite the hearts of believers to each other in holy love.