Kingdoms in Crisis: God’s Warnings to Egypt, Ethiopia, and Babylon

Welcome to Day 207 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Songs of Songs. Isaiah 19–21 contains a series of prophetic oracles against foreign nations—Egypt, Ethiopia (Cush), and Babylon—revealing God's sovereign authority over all kingdoms, not just Israel. These chapters reflect divine judgment against political pride, false alliances, and idolatry, while also hinting at restoration for those who repent and turn to God. Egypt’s downfall is portrayed as internal collapse and confusion, Cush’s defeat is linked to failed political alliances, and Babylon’s destruction, while still future at the time, is painted vividly as a burden to the prophet himself. Through these oracles, Isaiah calls both Judah and the surrounding nations to recognize God's ultimate control and the futility of trusting in human strength or foreign powers for salvation.

Isaiah 19 is a prophecy against Egypt, describing its future collapse due to divine intervention. The Lord is depicted as "riding on a swift cloud" (v.1), a symbol of His majesty and authority as He comes to judge Egypt. The nation will be thrown into civil strife, with brother rising against brother, and their idols and political counsel failing them. God will dry up the Nile, Egypt’s life source, causing economic and agricultural devastation. The wise men of Egypt will be exposed as fools, and fear will grip the land as God's hand moves against them. Yet, the chapter ends with a surprising vision of redemption—Egypt, along with Assyria and Israel, will one day worship the Lord together in peace, showing that God’s judgment has a redemptive purpose for the nations.

In Isaiah 20, God commands the prophet Isaiah to perform a striking sign-act: he is to walk barefoot and naked for three years to symbolize the shame and humiliation that will come upon Egypt and Cush (Ethiopia). This sign was a prophetic warning to Judah not to rely on these nations for military alliance or protection against Assyria. The Assyrians would lead the captives of Egypt and Cush away in utter disgrace, revealing the futility of trusting in political alliances rather than God. Isaiah’s public obedience served as a vivid message that political strategies and human power offer no true security. The chapter concludes with a sobering reflection: Judah will be left in fear and shame, realizing too late that their reliance on foreign nations instead of the Lord was misguided.

Isaiah 21 delivers a series of oracles, beginning with a "burden against the Desert by the Sea," understood to be a prophecy concerning Babylon. Isaiah experiences emotional turmoil at the vision of Babylon’s destruction—though Babylon was Israel's oppressor, the depth of destruction is so severe that it causes the prophet to agonize. God reveals that Babylon will fall suddenly to the Medes and Persians, and Isaiah is instructed to declare, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen!” (v.9), signaling the downfall of a once-powerful empire. The chapter also includes brief oracles against Edom (Dumah) and Arabia, warning them of approaching judgment and giving them little hope, symbolizing the fading security of all nations apart from God. Through it all, Isaiah presents a consistent theme: even the most powerful kingdoms are subject to God's sovereign plan and will fall if they oppose Him.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The name Isaiah comes from the Hebrew name Yeshayahu, which means “The Lord is salvation” or “Yahweh saves.” This name encapsulates the central message of the book: that salvation, judgment, and restoration come from God alone.

Purpose of the Book:

The Book of Isaiah was written to call God’s people to repentance, reveal the consequences of rebellion, and proclaim both God’s coming judgment and the hope of restoration. It addresses both the immediate political and spiritual crisis facing Judah and the future hope of a Messianic King and a new heavens and earth. Isaiah proclaims God’s sovereignty over all nations and points to a coming Savior who will redeem not only Israel but the entire world. The book serves as both a prophetic warning and a theological vision of God’s redemptive plan.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

The book is traditionally attributed to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz, who ministered during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (Isaiah 1:1), placing his ministry in the 8th century BC (around 740–700 BC).

Biblical Support for Isaiah’s Authorship:

• Isaiah 1:1 clearly identifies him as the author.

• 2 Chronicles 26:22 and 2 Chronicles 32:32 mention Isaiah’s writings and his involvement in documenting the reign of King Uzziah and King Hezekiah.

• New Testament Confirmation: Jesus and the apostles frequently quote from Isaiah and attribute the words to him (e.g., Matthew 3:3; Luke 4:17; John 12:38-41), confirming early Jewish and Christian belief in Isaiah's authorship.

Some scholars propose that the book was written by multiple authors over time (often called Deutero-Isaiah or Trito-Isaiah theories), due to shifts in tone and historical context in later chapters (especially 40–66). However, the consistent literary style, theological themes, and the unified message suggest that the book can credibly be viewed as originating from Isaiah and his prophetic school or disciples (see Isaiah 8:16).

Key People:

• Isaiah – The primary prophet and narrator of the book.

• Kings of Judah:

  • Uzziah – A prosperous king who became prideful (Isaiah 6:1).

  • Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah – Rulers during Isaiah’s ministry, with Hezekiah receiving direct counsel and miraculous deliverance through Isaiah’s prayers (Isaiah 36–39).

• Messianic Figure – Often referred to as the Servant of the Lord, the Branch, Immanuel, or the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; 11:1-5; 53).

• Assyrian and Babylonian kings – Representing God’s instruments of judgment (e.g., Sennacherib in Isaiah 36–37).

• Cyrus the Great – A Persian king prophetically named in Isaiah 44–45 as the one God would use to restore Israel.

Conclusion

Isaiah masterfully blends themes of judgment, mercy, justice, and redemption, portraying God as holy and righteous, yet also gracious and compassionate. The first half of the book (chapters 1–39) focuses on judgment against Judah and the nations, while the latter half (chapters 40–66) offers messages of comfort, restoration, and the coming Messianic hope. Isaiah paints a sweeping vision of history, from Judah’s failures to God’s final plan of universal salvation through the Suffering Servant and the creation of a new heavens and new earth (Isaiah 65–66). The book ends with a powerful call to worship and remain faithful, highlighting the eternal triumph of God's justice and glory. Isaiah remains a cornerstone of both Jewish and Christian theology, rich with prophecy, poetry, and profound revelation of God's heart for His people and the world.

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What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet. 

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

In Isaiah 19, God is revealed as sovereign over all nations, not just Israel. He is a righteous judge who actively intervenes in human affairs to bring justice and correction. His power is unmatched—He stirs up confusion among Egypt’s leaders, dries up their rivers, and allows internal collapse to occur—all to demonstrate that no earthly power can stand apart from Him. Yet, in the midst of judgment, God’s character shines with mercy and restoration, offering hope that even a pagan nation like Egypt can one day know and worship Him.

Although no specific Hebrew names like Yahweh-Jireh or El Shaddai are used in Isaiah 19, the chapter frequently refers to God as “the Lord” (Hebrew: YHWH, often rendered as Yahweh), emphasizing His covenant authority and supreme rulership. The chapter concludes with a prophetic vision in which Egypt, Assyria, and Israel are all blessed by the Lord—showing God’s ultimate plan for reconciliation and unity through His grace. The lesson here is that God disciplines nations not only to judge but to draw them into a relationship with Him. His judgment paves the way for healing, and His desire is for every nation to know Him.

In Isaiah 20, God is portrayed as a God who warns before He acts. His character is strategic and intentional—He gives His people signs, even difficult ones, to urge them toward obedience and trust. God’s use of Isaiah’s public humiliation demonstrates that He is willing to use radical means to communicate truth. He is a God who speaks clearly, even if the message is uncomfortable.

There are no direct Hebrew names for God mentioned in this chapter, but His nature as YHWH is evident in His authority to command His prophet and foretell future events. The lesson is a call to trust God alone, not political alliances or human wisdom. Judah’s temptation to rely on Egypt or Cush for protection is rebuked by God’s visual prophecy, reminding His people that salvation and security are only found in Him, not in the strength of other nations.

In Isaiah 21, God reveals Himself as omniscient and just. He knows the end from the beginning and shares this insight through prophetic revelation. He is also empathetic—Isaiah is physically disturbed by the vision of Babylon’s fall, reflecting God’s sorrow over the destruction of even those who oppose Him. God is also shown as the protector of His people, signaling Babylon’s fall as a future hope for Israel’s deliverance.

There are no specific Hebrew names of God in Isaiah 21, but His character as sovereign judge and divine revealer is evident. He teaches that every powerful nation that stands against Him will fall, and no enemy is too great for God to defeat. The lesson is that God is in control of history, and His people can rest in the assurance that justice will prevail, even when it seems delayed.

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Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

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Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?

1. What does God’s judgment on Egypt, Cush, and Babylon reveal about His sovereignty over all nations?

2. How does God show both justice and mercy in Isaiah 19?

3. Why does God use a dramatic sign-act through Isaiah in chapter 20, and what does that say about His communication style with His people?

4. In what ways is God portrayed as patient and warning before judgment comes?

5. How does Isaiah’s emotional reaction to Babylon’s fall in chapter 21 help us understand God’s empathy and sorrow over judgment?

6. What does God's willingness to include Egypt and Assyria in His future blessings (Isaiah 19:23–25) say about His character?

7. How do these chapters affirm that God’s plans are not limited to Israel but include the entire world?

Questions About Themes:

1. What major theme of judgment and restoration can be seen in Isaiah 19?

2. How do these chapters demonstrate the futility of trusting in political alliances instead of trusting in God?

3. In Isaiah 20, how is shame used as a prophetic symbol, and what theme does this reinforce?

4. How does God’s use of nations like Assyria and Persia to carry out His judgment highlight the theme of divine sovereignty?

5. What is the significance of Isaiah referring to Babylon’s fall long before it happened?

6. How is the theme of redemption woven into a chapter that initially seems full of destruction (Isaiah 19)?

7. What do these oracles teach us about God's ultimate control over the rise and fall of empires?

Reflective Application Questions:

1. Where in your life are you tempted to trust in human strength or alliances instead of God’s power and wisdom?

2. How can you be more attentive to the warnings and signs God might be giving you today?

3. Are there areas in your heart or community where judgment could be a sign of God’s desire for restoration?

4. What “idols” or sources of false security might you be relying on, similar to Egypt and Cush?

5. How does knowing that God cares about all nations shape the way you view people and cultures different from your own?

6. When God calls you to do something uncomfortable (like Isaiah's prophetic act), are you willing to obey? Why or why not?

7. How can you hold onto hope when God’s judgment seems harsh or slow to bring visible justice?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans