The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 19:22
Smiting and healing closely connected in God's counsels. God's smiting is no doubt twofold, Once only has he visited mankind at large penalty—at the Deluge; but a thousand times has he visited them remedially. Similarly with nations. He smote Egypt in Moses' time with the ten plagues, not to destroy, but to chasten. So again at the Red Sea. So now by the hands of Esarhaddon and his son. So by Nebuchadnezzar, Cambyses, Ochus. And at last he bowed their hearts and caused them to turn to him,... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 19:22
And Jehovah shall smite Egypt, smiting and healing ; i.e. Jehovah shall indeed "smite Egypt," as already prophesied ( Isaiah 19:1-16 ), but it shall be with a merciful object, in order, after smiting, to "heal." His smiting shall induce them to "return" to him, and when they return he will forgive and save (comp. Zephaniah 3:8 , Zephaniah 3:9 ; Jeremiah 12:14-16 ). Egypt was a Christian country from the third century to the seventh; and the Coptic Church (though very corrupt) still... read more