Isaiah 19:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He is your Advocate and will bring you deliverance. What does it mean to have an intercessor? It suggests either that He has triumphed over Satan or that not all are overlooked. Since salvation is a gift of grace, do not presume that it is achieved carelessly or without concern. But how is it accessed through grace? If anyone performs deeds that merit such grace.

Yet the nature of his deeds, which reveals his horrific and intolerable cruelty, stands as a witness against his reign.

Despite the fact that the Egyptians did not know the true Lord of the universe, their anguish could not go unnoticed. Just as the blood of Abel cried out to God, though it possessed no voice in the literal sense, prompting God to shudder at the sight of overwhelming wickedness; similarly, we can comprehend the cries of those bound to false idols. Even without knowledge of the Creator, their torment caused them to reach out to God in their desperate condition, pleading for His aid. Thus, the Egyptians cried out to God against their oppressors—those who held them in bondage, clearly demonic forces. But the Lord will send them a man to deliver them. Who is this man? Undoubtedly, it is Christ, the only begotten Word of God, who took on human form. He rescued not just the Egyptians, but all humankind. His salvation came through the establishment of judgment. What does this imply? It signifies the enactment of righteous judgment against those who oppressed His people—Satan and the unclean spirits that held the captives of darkness condemned to the day of reckoning.

Thus, those who endured unbearable oppression were liberated and transformed into true worshipers, adorned with the light of truth and the finery of freedom. The Savior proclaimed, Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all unto Myself (John 12:31-32). Observe how He declared judgment upon the world, casting out the one who had once oppressed it and gathering all unto Himself. The Egyptians, upon recognizing Him, offered sacrifices and fulfilled their vows. This reflects what David expressed: ‘Pray and give thanks to the Lord our God’ (Psalm 75:12).

Therefore, take note of the transformative events unfolding. Those who previously sacrificed to demons and offered thanksgiving to Satan, fulfilling those promises diligently, have now been enlightened through Christ's teachings. No longer ensnared by past errors, they have come to know the Creator and Lord of all, serving Him in spirit and truth. They offer not sacrifices of blood or the slaughter of unthinking animals, but spiritual offerings that are pleasing and pure.

As a result of Onias' actions, numerous Jews fled to Egypt, which at the time was also populated by many Cyrenians. Onias believed he was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah, who declared: “In that day an altar to the Lord shall be in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a memorial to the Lord at its borders.” This refers to the defiance of the people of Israel, who abandoned the Lord’s commandments and sought to offer sacrifices in alternative locations, claiming to fulfill divine mandates. However, they would ultimately face downfall, for both the city and the temple would face destruction.

In that day, an altar of the Lord will be established in the heart of Egypt, with a memorial at its edges. This will serve as a symbol and witness for the Lord among the inhabitants of Egypt. When they cry out to the Lord in the presence of their oppressors, He shall send them a Saviour and a Defender to rescue them. The Lord will be revealed to Egypt, and on that day, the Egyptians shall honor Him through sacrifices and offerings, making and fulfilling their vows. Both Jews and Christians seek to comprehend all things regarding Christ’s coming, albeit the former look ahead into the future while we recognize their fulfilment. It should be noted that Josephus contended that this prophecy materialized during Onias' time, who, upon fleeing to Egypt, constructed a temple and altar amidst a substantial crowd of Jews in an attempt to realize Isaiah’s prophecy concerning Christ, albeit in a misguided manner. The reference to one altar signifies the unity of faith, baptism, and the Church, while the memorial at the borders undoubtedly alludes to the Gospel and the teachings of the Apostles.

As the Old Testament is interpreted in light of the land of the Jews, both challenging and humorous for the Egyptians, so too does the Gospel history serve as a memorial within Egypt. And it adds: "and it shall be a sign and a witness," indicating the sufferings of the Lord. In the face of Egyptian onslaughts, believers shall appeal for divine mercy, and upon the arrival of the time of trial, the Saviour—Jesus, as translated in our tongue—shall appear. The Lord will make Himself known to the Egyptians, who will either be the oppressors facing defeat or the believers experiencing deliverance. They shall honor Him with offerings, making and keeping their vows to the Lord. The Jews maintain that the law stipulates that the altar must be established at a solitary site chosen by the Lord God, with sacrifices performed exclusively by priests of the Levitical lineage. Yet, Isaiah clearly indicates that the Egyptians will come to know and honor the Lord, offering sacrifices and gifts, and fulfilling their vows. If the Egyptians possess the priesthood, then so too is fulfilled Paul’s statement that the priesthood must change in accordance with necessity and divine regulation.

In that day, the altar of the Lord within the land of Egypt will serve as a testament, with a memorial of suffering marked by the inscription in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin: "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews," signifying the cross and acting as a witness to all nations now identified as Egypt. As the persecution against Christians intensifies, they will cry out, "Abba Father." The Lord of Hosts, in response, will send a Saviour—namely Jesus—and a judge to deliver them, ensuring that in their liberation, they will come to know the Lord and be recognized by Him, where sin abounds, grace shall even more abound. This singular altar in Egypt represents our world, highlighting that all altars raised against the Church’s altar do not belong to the Lord. Given the clarity of this prophecy, our historical interpretations affirm that the entirety of the vision concerning Egypt pertains to Christ.