Today is a day of promise indeed! A Change of Heart Read Isaiah 19:1-25 It will be a sign and a witness that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is worshiped in the land of Egypt. When the people cry to the Lord for help against those who oppress them, he will send them a savior who will rescue them. The Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians. Yes, they will know the Lord and will give their sacrifices and offerings to him. They will make a vow to the Lord and will keep it. The Lord will strike Egypt, and then he will bring healing. For the Egyptians will turn to the Lord, and he will listen to their pleas and heal them. In that day Egypt and Assyria will be connected by a highway. The Egyptians and Assyrians will move freely between their lands, and they will both worship God. And Israel will be their ally. The three will be together, and Israel will be a blessing to them. For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will say, “Blessed be Egypt, my people. Blessed be Assyria, the land I have made. Blessed be Israel, my special possession!” (Isaiah 19:20-25) Reflect Egypt, the nation where God’s people were enslaved for 400 years (Exodus 1), was the enemy of both kingdoms of Israel. Yet Judah considered an alliance with Egypt against Assyria (2 Kings 18:17). But Isaiah warned against this alliance because God would destroy Assyria in his time. After Egypt’s chastening, it would turn from idols and worship the one true God. Even more amazing is Isaiah’s prophecy that the two chief oppressors of Israel—Egypt and Assyria—would unite in worship. This prophecy will come true “in that day” (Isaiah 19:19), the future day of Christ’s reign. Egypt is but one Gentile nation who will bow before the Lord. Philippians 2:10-11 says every knee will bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. So we shouldn’t be surprised that the Egyptians and Assyrians are part of the “every.” Each of us is part of that “every” too. We may bow now in devotion, or later in submission. In Jesus Christ, former enemies may unite in love. In Christ, people and nations poles apart politically will bow at his feet as brothers and sisters. Christ breaks down every barrier that threatens relationships (see Ephesians 2:13-19). Respond Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is available to all who call upon him. We too can pray and receive his saving power (John 1:12). We can also pray for others to know Jesus.
Posted on: Sat, 01 Feb 2014 16:09:02 +0000
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