SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 19
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
When they cry out to the Lord because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them. [Isaiah 19:20]
The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.” [Isaiah 19:25]
There can be no doubt that God’s plan is to restore all nations to Himself; He is not just interested in the Jews, or in white people.
Even the Egyptians, Israel’s historical enemies, are the object of God’s salvation plans.
He will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them.
Jesus is this savior and defender; He has come for all people, and sends His followers into all the world.
“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.” [Matthew 12:18-21]
Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Mexico, Japan, Somalia, Denmark, Chile, New Zealand, Myanmar, China, Canada, Kyrgyzstan – in Him the nations will put their hope!
Because of sin, we have become divided; the tower of Babel illustrates the division that results from sinful, prideful human nature, and it repeats itself in Egypt [Isaiah 19:2].
But God’s plan is not to divide and separate, but to break down the walls of division and hostility and unite all people in Christ, as one family.
The vision that motivates us is painted in the last book of the bible: After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. [Revelation 7:9]
If this is the goal, then we need to start practicing this now.
If God’s plan is to bless Egyptians, celebrate Assyrians as His handiwork and enjoy Israel as His inheritance, then we need to do the same… with all nations.
God wants to bless all people groups, celebrate them all as His handiwork, enjoy them as His inheritance.
As we look around the world, we may question God’s love for all nations.
How does all the crisis and misery in Haiti fit in with God’s love, or the double disasters that have recently struck Indonesia this past week?
But Isaiah makes it clear that the crises in Egypt also fit into His plan; in the crises, they will reach out to God and find in Him strength and hope and healing.
The Lord will strike ( ) with a plague; he will strike them and heal them. They will turn to the Lord, and he will respond to their pleas and heal them. [Isaiah 19:22]
Insert the name of any nation in the blank – this is what God is doing; He is working through all situations and crises and hardships so that people will realize their need for Him and reach out to Him.
PRAYER:
Lord, You do not want anyone to perish; You are working for the day when a ‘highway’ will unite all nations and peoples, a way of blessing! Help us to share this same goal, and work toward racial harmony and unity.
God come to Egypt with His judgements that even the idols of Egypt tremble before Him. The plans of this ruling nation will become nothing and they will be handed over to a fierce and mighty king. Even the produce of the land has withered away. There is nothing the people can do to turn the tide except cry out to the Lord! He will make Himself know and He will send a saviour and the people will turn to the Lord and He will heal them.
After the Quake the people cried out to God – their Deliverer. He has heard their cry and He is using he nations of the world to bring His redeeming love also here. Open our eyes Lord that we may see Your hand at work among the nations of the world. May we continue to work and worship together.
will sing of my Redeemer,
And His wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered,
From the curse to set me free.
Refrain
Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer,
With His blood, He purchased me.
On the cross, He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free.
I will tell the wondrous story,
How my lost estate to save,
In His boundless love and mercy,
He the ransom freely gave.
Refrain
I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth
Over sin, and death, and hell.
Refrain
I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His heav’nly love to me;
He from death to life hath brought me,
Son of God with Him to be.