Isaiah 19:19
19 In that day [yowm] shall there
be an altar [mizbeach] to the LORD [Yahovah] in the midst [tavek] of the
land ['erets] of Egypt [Mitsrayim], and a pillar [matstsebah]
at ['etsel] the border [gabuwl] thereof to the LORD [Yahovah]. KJV-Interlinear
19 In that day there will be an
altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the Lord
near its border. NASB
The question was asked about
yesterday’s study, as to whether the five cities were indeed five or just a
number referring to the grace of God.
And that answer is, both. Five
always designates some form of Gods grace, but the number five, here, is
specific. If the Bible were to
generalize, then the number would also be stated using terms such as, remnant
or few. So there will be five actual
cities.
And now for todays
study. The alter is typically used in
reference to an object upon which sacrifices were regularly made. But an alter is also used to designate a
place of continual worship, such as in a synagogue, church, temple, a personal
residence, or even within ones soul.
Today we can add the internet as the place or mechanism or alter of worship.
Isaiah uses both terms,
alter and pillar, within this context, and both relate to places rather than
objects. Taking back to the days of the patriarchs,
alters and/or pillars were set up to designate a place of worship. And as they traveled around, moving from camp
site to camp site, a new alter or pillar was set up to designate a place of
worship.
Egypt has a history
full of pillars upon which various stories of historical events were recorded. And that is the idea here. Except the stories here, are the scriptures
that are recorded in the souls of people, thus the pillars of continual worship
that are set up within the borders of Egypt.
Or, within Egypt, Christians worshiping Christ whether in public or more
than likely, in private.
At the borders, refers to
non-specific places throughout Egypt, but still within the borders of Egypt.
The Lord refers to Jesus
Christ.
So, in that day, as we
saw yesterday, designates the time frame of the prophecy. It is not chronological
and non-specific, but refers to the general period of time. And in this prophecy of the end days of
history, there are seven years in which these things could and will, occur.
The people involved
will likely be scattered throughout this time period.
