For God So Loved
Isaiah 19:24-25
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.”
Hold on a second—what did God just say? Throughout biblical history, not only have Egypt and Assyria undermined Israel, but their very names have symbolized demonic opposition to God’s work. Egypt is the antithesis to the Promised Land, and Assyria is the rival to the City of God. So what an astonishing description here! God doesn’t call Egypt ‘my enemy’, but my people. He doesn’t call Assyria ‘my opponent,’ but my workmanship. How can this be? Because His grace is greater than all our sin. Look how John writes it in Revelation 7:9: “Behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb … crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Christian, from Pharaohs to Pharisees, God’s invitation continues to resound: all who call on the Name of the Lord will be saved!