Westhill Church - Auburn & Federal Way, WA

The WEekly Word

A Blog of Encouragement from our Pastors

weekly word – 7/16/2026

Yahweh Destroys and Redeems Egypt, Part 2 - Isaiah 19

Last week, in the first half of Isaiah 19, verses 1-15, God promised He would dismantle Egypt with economic decay, political infighting and agricultural decline, leading them to be conquered by Assyria and the subsequent empires of Persia, Greece, and Rome. But what was the ultimate goal of His wrath?

The second half of the chapter answers that question. Verses 16-25 depict the next stage of God’s plan: a glorious redemption of this devastated nation.

First, Isaiah looks into the future at an Egypt so weakened that it bows its knee to Yahweh, terrified by a wave of His hand (16-17). From that posture of humility, Egypt becomes devoted to Him, rather than Pharaoh or any other god. Their culture will share Israel’s language (18), monuments (19), security (20), and religious practices (21). This change isn’t superficial or temporary; their heartfelt recognition of Him is shown as they “cry out to Yahweh” and experience His deliverance. They don’t just worship Him; they know Him.

Strikingly, verse 21 states that they will give Yahweh, “sacrifice and offering”. Isaiah then adds: “they will make a vow to Yahweh and pay it.” There is no time in recorded history when the nation of Egypt recognized and sacrificed to Yahweh as God. Later in Isaiah 56 and 60, the prophet again predicts a time when Gentile nations come to His Temple and sacrifice to Him.

But some may ask: can these offerings be real sacrifices if Christ’s blood has already atoned once for all the sins of the redeemed? Indeed, the book of Hebrews decisively states that Temple sacrifices serve as a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, that Christ’s ministry in the New Covenant is better than the Old, and that the blood of goats and bulls can’t make perfect those who draw near or take away sins.

Yet those who read these verses carefully will notice they stop short of denouncing sacrifice itself. God gave Israel the duty of making sacrifices for a specific purpose. It was never given to replace Christ’s atoning work or actually take away sins; it was to remind people of their sin and point people forward to their Savior as they approach and worship a holy God on earth (Leviticus 15:31; Col 2:17; Hebrews 10:3).

In the same way, the future sacrifices offered by Israel and the nations will be no substitute for the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus. They will point worshippers back to Christ's work in remembrance, much like communion does today (1 Corinthians 11:24-26). In Isaiah 56, Ezekiel 43 and 46, and in Zechariah 14, the prophets expect that after God atones for sins, He will return to Jerusalem, reign over the world, and receive sacrificial offerings from believing Israelites and Gentiles.

Isaiah summarizes the entire scope of verses 1-21 in verse 22, “And Yahweh will smite Egypt, smiting but healing; so they will return to Yahweh, and He will be moved by their entreaty and heal them.” God’s purpose behind all the disasters wasn’t malice, but to move Egypt into a place of genuine repentance and dependence on Him.

The chapter ends with a beautiful picture of all three nations mentioned in this chapter, Egypt, Assyria, and Israel, worshipping Yahweh together in peace (23-25). Verse 24 describes the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:2-3: “In that day Israel will be the third party with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom Yahweh of hosts has blessed, saying ‘Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel my inheritance.’”

This final period of blessing fulfills God’s ultimate purpose of creation in Genesis 1-2: to dwell with human beings on earth in peace. But notice the message of the chapter as a whole: God had to remove all the blessings of creation in order to humble sinful people to recognize the Creator.

If you find yourself either in a situation of great supply or great need, recognize this principle: we depend on God for everything all the time. Don’t take credit for what He has given you. Don’t ignore your dependence on Him. Whatever blessings we enjoy are His grace, not something we deserve or earn. So if you are in need, ask Him. If your needs are being met, thank Him for His grace. Too often sin deceives us into thinking we are autonomous. Praise God for sending His Son to break the power of sin and provide atonement so we could enjoy His blessing and worship Him in peace.

Pastor David

7/9/2026 – Yahweh Destroys and Redeems Egypt, Part 1 (Isaiah 19)

7/2/2026 – God's Prophecy for Cush (Isaiah 18)

6/25/2026 – God's Destruction of Damascus (Isaiah 17)

6/11/2026 – God's Wrath and Sorrow for Moab (Isaiah 15-16)

6/04/2026 – Essentials of the Gospel – Bryan

5/28/2026 – Babylon, Assyria, and Philistia (Isaiah 14) – David

5/21/2026 – Christian Living – Bryan

5/14/2026 – The Destruction of Babylon (Isaiah 13) – David

5/07/2026 – The Lord is My Shepherd – Bryan

4/30/2026 – Introduction to Isaiah 13-35 – David

4/23/2026 – Our Contemplation of God – Bryan