What does Isaiah 19:17 mean?
Some in Judah thought they had found an answer to the threat of destruction from the Assyrians or the Babylonians. They considered making an alliance with Egypt, their powerful neighbors to the south. With Egypt on their side, they believed they might hold out against those powerful enemies. Yet the Lord does not want His people to put their trust in other nations or false gods of those cultures. He wants His people to trust in Him alone to save them. God has proven repeatedly that He is able to save them. Isaiah's oracle (Isaiah 19:1) has shown just how weak Egypt will be when the Lord decides to bring judgment upon them (Isaiah 19:16). Why would Judah trust in such a vulnerable people or their gods? Why would they trust in a false god who has never protected them?Now Isaiah points forward to the future, likely the beginning of Christ the Messiah's reign on earth (Isaiah 2:1–5; Revelation 20:1–4). At this time, the Egyptians will tremble before the Lord. Judah will be the source of Egypt's terror in those days, not Assyria or the Babylonians. Everyone in Egypt will understand that they are under the threat of Israel's God, the Lord of hosts. It is His plans against them that will bring them to their knees.
Isaiah 19:16–25 presents a sudden change in tone. It follows an oracle of judgment against Egypt with a promise of future blessing from the Lord. This seems to take place during the kingdom of the Messiah on earth (Isaiah 2:1–5; Revelation 20:1–4). Egypt will fear the Lord and repent and worship Him alone. God will bless them, rescue them, and call them His people. Egypt will become peaceful allies with Assyria, and the Assyrians will worship the Lord, as well. Together, Egypt, Assyria, and Israel will bless the earth and be blessed by the Lord.
Isaiah's oracle describes the Lord's coming judgment on Egypt. The idols will fear when God arrives, and the people will turn on each other. A fierce king will conquer them. The Nile River will dry up, leaving many destitute. The advisors serving Egypt's leaders will be revealed as confused fools. Far in the future, Egypt will recognize Israel's God and repent, turning to worship the Lord. Assyria will join in that worship, blessing the earth along with Egypt and Israel.