The Tuesday after Exaudi Sunday
Posted on June 3, 2025 by under
Scripture: Isaiah 19:19-25 (NKJV)
19:19 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. 20 And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the Lord because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them. 21 Then the Lord will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day, and will make sacrifice and offering; yes, they will make a vow to the Lord and perform it. 22 And the Lord will strike Egypt, He will strike and heal it; they will return to the Lord, and He will be entreated by them and heal them.
23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians.
24 In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, 25 whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, “Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.”
Devotion
In today’s reading we are told about two dominant world powers: Egypt and Assyria. In their heyday they were known for conquest and not compassion. They were rival empires who fought anyone who threatened them, especially each other. But according to Isaiah, this contention has completely disappeared. Why? Isaiah is speaking of their spiritual condition. There is a faithful remnant from each nation that not only believes in the one true God, but a “highway” exists that connects these once-warring nations. Isaiah emphasizes that Yahweh is a God for all people, even the once-despised Gentiles who were enemies of Israel. “In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, ‘Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.’”
We recall the explosion of the New Testament Church at Pentecost in Acts 2, as people from everywhere were called to the faith. There’s also the ‘Close of the Age’ in Revelation 7, where people were gathered from “all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues.” What a joy to know that God has a plan to reach anywhere and everywhere with the Gospel. What a privilege that we are His instruments, directly or indirectly, to carry that message to the ends of the earth!
Collect: Almighty, everlasting God, make us to have always a devout will toward Thee, and to serve Thy Majesty with a pure heart; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
