From Judgment to Blessing

O. T. #1595  "From Judgment to Blessing"
Dec. 30, 2019
Isaiah 19
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." (verse 25, NLT)

LET IT GLOW

6. the Burden, Oracle, or Message to Egypt

Isaiah's prophecies against Ethiopia, Babylon, Jerusalem, and Tyre may have been given between 714 and 701 B.C. During this time Ethiopia allied itself with Assyria to gain control of Egypt. (The One Year Chronological Bible, New Living Translation)

This is an unusual prophecy in that it is a message of judgment and blessing. During this time, Judah to depend upon an Egyptian alliance against the threat of Assyria. Isaiah warned the people of Judah to not depend on a foreign army instead of the divine and sovereign protection of her God. Later, in 671 B.C., Egypt fell to Assyria's control for about 20 years.

We can recall Is. 14:24 and 26-27, God said, Surely as I have planned it, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand. This is the plan determined for the whole world; this the hand stretched out over all the nations. For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?

What things would happen to Egypt if they did not turn away from idolatry and believe in the One True God?

• There will be a civil war in Egypt. (verse 2) John MacArthur said, "Disunity and internal strife because of idolatry are to spell the end of Egypt's greatness."
• God would dry up Egypt's only water source, the Nile River. 
• There would be no agricultural crops for export-grain for food, papyrus for paper, flax for linen, as well as no fish. (verses 7-9)

God's judgment of Egypt embraces four major aspects of Egyptian life-government, religion, wealth, and wisdom. (Falwell)

All of those will fail and Egypt will have no one to turn to for help but to God. Their idols, charmers, familiar spirits, and wizards will fail them. Do we see the power and wisdom of God? He knows what it takes to get the attention of people.

Friend, are you dealing with troubles beyond your control? Turn to God today. He has the answer.

LET IT GLOW

Isaiah predicts what will happen to Egypt in the future during the second coming of Christ:

•  Egypt will fear Judah and their God. The Egyptians will speak Hebrew, Judah's language; they will worship Judah's God; an altar to the LORD in Egypt, and a monument to Him at its border. (verses 16-19)
• The Egyptians will cry to the LORD for help against their oppressors, so He will send them a Savior, Christ, to rescue them. (verse 20)
• They will know the LORD and give sacrifices and offerings to Him. Also, when they make vows to God, they will keep them. (verse 20)
• God will heal the land of Egypt, which He has smitten. (verse 22)
• A highway will run from Egypt, through Israel, and to Assyria. (verse 23)

Will that be remarkable! Egypt and Assyria will be blessed by God since they will be at peace with Israel during this time. They will become God's people. All the way back to Moses' day, Egypt has worshiped their false gods, but in the future, they will worship God. Such mercy!

LET IT GO

May my life bless You, my God.
May it bless others, as Jesus is shared.