ANSWER: A detailed study of this chapter would require volumes and more time than is available. However, perhaps an outline of the chapter followed by responses to the specific verses and questions cited in your letter would aid your further private study.

The chapter is a prophecy through Isaiah about those things that were to befall Egypt as follows:

A. God is seen figuratively coming in a cloud in judgment upon Egypt (vs.1).

B. The effect of this judgment would cause much confusion and fear (vss.1- 2).

C. The people would turn to their idols for comfort (vs.3).

D. Egypt would be conquered by a foreign power (vs.4).

E. They would suffer many physical discomforts (vss.5-10).

F. All of their princes and wise men would be looked upon as fools (vss.11- 16).

G. God’s people would become a terror to them (vs.17).

H. Many Egyptians would be converted to the one true God (vss.18-20).

I. The one true God would eventually heal their land (vss. 21-22).

J. An alliance would develop between Israel, Egypt and Assyria (vss.23-25).

(Verse two question): Egyptians being set against Egyptians. Was this fulfilled or is it yet future?

(Verse two answer): It was fulfilled. Shortly after this prophecy, there was civil war in Egypt.

(Verse sixteen question): What does it mean that Egypt shall be like unto women?

(Verse sixteen answer): It means that they would be alarmed and fearful as a woman might be (See B. above).

(Verse nineteen question): How would Egypt raise an altar to God, since they never recognized Him?

(Verse nineteen answer): See H. above. Many Egyptians at that time did come to recognize and honor Jehovah.

(Verse twenty-four question): What was the connection between Israel, Egypt and Assyria?

(Verse twenty-four answer): See J. above.

(Verse twenty-five question): Is Egypt and Assyria of today to be blessed before Israel ?

(Verse twenty-five answer): No! In Christ, “God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness is accepted with Him.”

Although the prophecies in Isaiah have been fulfilled, it is interesting to note the similarity of imagery used in chapter thirteen (about Babylon), chapter seventeen (about Damascus), chapter eighteen (about Ethiopia) and chapter nineteen (about Egypt) with that used in Matthew chapter twenty-four about the destruction of Jerusalem!