In our region of northwest Iowa, a highway links Cherokee with Storm Lake, and it runs through Alta, where our church is located. Highway 7 connects the western and eastern segments of the church family in a way that we might compare to the situation envisioned in Isaiah 19. Here we find “a highway from Egypt to Assyria,” and traffic is flowing both directions, with Jerusalem as the link. From the southwest to the northeast, God is redeeming a diverse group of people who love to worship together (v 23; cf 2:2-5). The chapter begins with a prediction of Egypt’s downfall. The warning comes in the form of a poem, which can be divided into three sections of nearly equal length. Each stanza deals with a different feature of Egyptian life and culture in which the people might be in inclined to trust: the gods of Egypt (v 1-4), the Nile River (v 5-10), and the fabled wisdom of Egypt (v 11-15). Each one is shown to fail, leaving the Egyptians in a state of disgrace and despair. Like modern-day Hindus, the Egyptians were the most polytheistic people of the ancient Near East. But all these gods are utterly helpless before the living God, who is “riding on a swift cloud.” Triumphing over the revered storm gods of Canaan, the LORD will bring anarchy and disorder upon Egypt (v 1-4). If it were not for the Nile River, Egypt would simply be an extension of the Sahara Desert. For centuries it provided irrigation water for abundant crops. The Nile also served as a valuable route of commerce and a reliable income for fishermen. But it is foolish to trust in natural resources, for they too are dependent on God, who is able cause a mighty river to run dry (v 5-10). Even more than its complex religion and mighty river, Egypt was known for its wisdom and culture. But like the wise men who could not advise Pharoah in the days of Joseph, the entire collection of Egyptian counselors will prove helpless to discern what God is going to do with them and their land (v 11-15). More important than all these negative reasons for not trusting in Egypt, there is also a positive reason: the Egyptians will one day turn to Judah’s God! God’s ultimate purpose is not to destroy the people of Egypt, but to bring them to worship Him together with Israel and Assyria. At some inevitable future time (“in that day”—v 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24), the LORD will forever change the outlook of Egypt. Having once been frightened by Judah’s God, they will come to swear their allegiance to Him, grateful for His deliverance. Former enemies will enjoy sweet fellowship with one another, speaking the language of faith and rejoicing in the “Savior” whom God provides (v 16-25). For further meditation: