Year 2, Week 4, Day 2 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 4, Day 2

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Isaiah 16-19.

Today’s reading continues with Isaiah’s prophecy to Judah concerning prophecies against nations surrounding Judah. This present segment of Isaiah (chapters 13-23) pertains to the judgment of the nations. Isaiah 16 continues the declaration of judgment, begun in chapter 15, against Moab: “Like fleeing birds, like a scattered nest, so are the daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon” (Isaiah 16:2). Isaiah 17 is a prophecy of judgment against Damascus, a Syrian city: “An oracle concerning Damascus. Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city and will become a heap of ruins” (Isaiah 17:1). Isaiah 18 is a prophecy of judgment against Cush: “Ah, land of whirring wings that is beyond the rivers of Cush, which sends ambassadors by the sea, in vessels of papyrus on the waters! Go, you swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth, to a people feared near and far, a nation mighty and conquering, whose land the rivers divide” (Isaiah 18:1-2). Isaiah 19 is the beginning of a prophecy of judgment against Egypt: “An oracle concerning Egypt. Behold, the LORD is riding on a swift cloud and comes to Egypt; and the idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence, and the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them” (Isaiah 19:1).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading is that in the midst of the judgment being declared to the nations surrounding Judah, hints of hope are offered: “In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border. It will be a sign and a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry to the LORD because of oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and deliver them” (Isaiah 19:19-20). Isaiah speaks of God delivering Egyptians from their oppression. Not only the Egyptians, but also the Assyrians will find relief from the LORD: “In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance” (Isaiah 19:24-25). Concerning Cush, Isaiah speaks of their gathering to worship the LORD in Jerusalem: “At that time tribute will be brought to the LORD of hosts from a people tall and smooth, from a people feared near and far, a nation mighty and conquering, whose land the rivers divide, to Mount Zion, the place of the name of the LORD of hosts” (Isaiah 18:7). There is even the sense that Isaiah speaks of Moab finding refuge in the LORD: Let the outcasts of Moab sojourn among you; be a shelter to them from the destroyer. When the oppressor is no more, and destruction has ceased, and he who tramples underfoot has vanished from the land, then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness” (Isaiah 16:4-5).

What is intriguing to note is the hints of hope being offered to the nations. Whereas the prophecies of judgment against Judah give way to a message of hope, that is because Judah was in covenant with the LORD. The terms of the covenant promised restoration: “And the LORD your God will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, that you may possess it. And he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live” (Deuteronomy 30:5-6). The Covenant stipulated that after Israel would be judged for their waywardness, the LORD would stir in their hearts and return them to Himself. So a message of judgment followed by salvation makes sense concerning Judah, but what about the nations? The nations did not have such covenant stipulations with the LORD. Paul, speaking of the Gentiles (the nations), touches on this matter: “Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles…remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:11-12).

Even though the nations were not in covenant relationship with the LORD like Israel was, the LORD’s covenant with Abraham spoke of not only blessing upon Israel, but all peoples: “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). The fulfillment of the global promise of blessing is found in Christ: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). Through faith in Jesus, the blessings of salvation are experienced; and those blessings are not restricted to the Jews who believe, but for anyone from anywhere who believes in Christ: “And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9-10). As the eternal state unfolds, it will not be a nation but all nations who experience the benefits of Christ’s redemptive work: “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:1-2). So what Isaiah hints at, becomes clearer as the Scripture unfolds. 

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe