Isaiah 11:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It was in Egypt that the gospel of Christ was proclaimed by the blessed Evangelist Mark, followed over time by others—some hailing from the Hebrew nation and others from among the believers, emerging as clandestine leaders and teachers. To understand how these events unfolded, it is important to delve into the historical narrative.

Prior to the dominance of Roman authority, when each nation was governed by its own leader or king, there existed significant estrangement among the peoples, particularly the Gentiles. The differences in religious beliefs often sparked animosity, and the absence of restrictions allowed individuals to rob others within foreign territories without consequence. Consequently, the nations experienced profound separation, and any intrusion into the lands of others could not occur without serious repercussions for those residing in the invaded territories.

With the rise of Roman dominance, all nations came under a singular ruler, adopting laws from their new sovereign, which facilitated safe interactions among the peoples and established considerable peace. It was in this new context that a path was cleared for those who shared the gospel of Jesus to venture into Egypt. Regarding Augustus Caesar's acquisition of Egypt, prophetic scripture further elucidates this: "For the river of Egypt, wide and great, and at certain times producing floods, goes to the neighboring sea by seven mouths, pouring its waters into it." This region, characterized by marshy land, formed extensive lakes and floods, rendering it navigable by vessels despite the Egyptians’ expectations that their watery territory could shield them from conquest.

However, when it was God's will—who governs all things—to place Egypt under Roman control alongside other regions, He rendered the land accessible by means of a powerful southerly wind that drove the Nile's waters toward the sea, enabling those who wished to traverse the lakes and valleys to do so with ease. Thus, when God smoothed the passage for the Roman forces, the Egyptians faced defeat. The prophet confirms this, saying, “These things saith the Lord of hosts: And the Egyptians shall drink of the water that is by the sea, and the river shall run dry. And the rivers shall run dry, and the rivers of the river: and all the water shall wither away, and in every pool shall reed and shad, and all the green herbs that are round about the river, and all that is sown by the river shall be blown away by the wind” (Isaiah 19:4-7). Therefore, it is proclaimed that the Lord will lay waste to the sea of Egypt. It is common in Divine Scripture to refer to lakes as seas. Ultimately, He shall extend His hand over the river with a powerful spirit, as the manifestation of God’s might is likened to the movement of a strong wind upon the waters. Additionally, He smote seven estuaries, rendering them dry enough to be crossed without removing one’s shoes.

It will be so insufficient, or so dry, that no moisture will remain to necessitate the one who crosses it to remove their footwear. Alternatively, since Moses and Jesus were instructed to ‘remove their sandals from their feet’ because the ground they tread upon was ‘holy’ (Ex 3:5; Num 5:15), the reply suggests that those who wear shoes should walk through the river with their footwear on, as the Egyptian terrain is not holy but rather accursed. Yet the river has dried up, driven by the ‘mighty spirit’ of God. Hence, the land of Egypt is unworthy of receiving the bare feet of the saints who traverse it. This also explains why those observing the Passover were instructed to wear ‘sandals on their feet’ (Exodus 12:11). Where ‘serpents and scorpions’ (Deuteronomy 8:15) dwell, it is wise to have footwear, ensuring the safety of those who wear them. Once one reaches the sacred ground, they are then instructed to ‘remove their sandals,’ akin to the apostles of Christ, who were told not to carry sandals with them (Luke 10:4).

Therefore, He will devastate, or annihilate—in the sense of rendering it accursed, as translated by Aquila and Symmachus—the tongue of the Egyptian sea and will raise His hand against the rivers of Egypt with the might of His spirit or with the strongest wind, which symbolizes the Roman Empire. During the reign of Augustus Caesar (Luke 2:1), when the Branch sprang forth from the root of Jesse and the first census was taken in the Roman realm, the long-standing kingdom of Egypt was brought low by Cleopatra's death, and the river was divided into seven streams, representing seven valleys. Previously, the Nile had flowed as a single channel, impassable and united, but it was split into seven low valleys and seven streams, allowing passage with shod feet. Metaphorically speaking, this indicates that the people of Egypt, steeped in idolatry and the futility of superstition—honoring as gods creatures such as kites, owls, dogs, goats, and donkeys—saw Augustus, in the vastness of his empire, delegate authority among various judges of the Roman Empire. Thebes had one judge, Livy another, Pentapolis another, Egypt another, and Alexandria another, along with the various regions known as nomes. Thus, the Nile is symbolically divided and its waters turned into streams to ensure that the message of the Gospel can flow freely, reaching the farthest corners of Egypt.

However, when understood in a spiritual context alongside the preceding passages, their journey out of Egypt and Assyria symbolizes a turning to faith in Christ. They will emerge from the stronghold of Satan with such resolve that no hindrance from the adversaries of salvation will obstruct their path to Christ. By the power of God, they will surmount these barriers as effortlessly as traversing the dry beds of the sea and river.