Context No. 3091 of 4322 · Isaiah

Isaiah 19:19-25: in context

19In that day, there will be an altar to the LORD in the middle of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border. 20It will be for a sign and for a witness to the LORD of Armies in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the LORD because of oppressors, and he will send them a savior and a defender, and he will deliver them. 21The LORD will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day. Yes, they will worship with sacrifice and offering, and will vow a vow to the LORD, and will perform it. 22The LORD will strike Egypt, striking and healing. They will return to the LORD, and he will be entreated by them, and will heal them. 23In that day there will be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria; and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians. 24In that day, Israel will be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, a blessing within the earth; 25because the LORD of Armies has blessed them, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.”

This is one of the surprising promises in all the prophets. In that day, God says, there will be an altar to the LORD in the middle of Egypt; the Egyptians will cry to the LORD and he will send them a savior; they will know the LORD and worship him. A highway will run between Egypt and Assyria, and Israel will be a third with them, a blessing in the earth.

Egypt and Assyria, Israel's great oppressors, the very nations that had enslaved and exiled God's people, are here promised salvation, an altar, a savior, healing. And then the unthinkable: God calls Egypt my people and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance. The circle of God's mercy is drawn far wider than Israel ever imagined, reaching to the enemy nations and gathering former foes as his own. It foreshadows the gospel going out to all peoples. The God of Israel intends to be worshiped from Egypt to Assyria, old enemies made his own.

Is the circle of God's mercy in my heart as wide as his, reaching even to those I would count as enemies, whom he intends to call "my people"?

Sources

Isaiah 19:25: "Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance."
Isaiah 19:21: "The LORD will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day."
Ephesians 2:13: "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ."