The Tuesday after Exaudi Sunday
Posted on May 19, 2026 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
These verses are an example of God’s unchanging message that is proclaimed throughout His Word, in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. As the prophet declares the actions and words of the Lord, he points forward to the unity of nations that will be fulfilled in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His kingdom. Egypt and Assyria were often the unfaithful ‘bad guys’ in the story of Israel. But other times in Scripture, Israel would be the unfaithful villains, and Egypt and Assyria would be not-so-bad. It always comes back to the Word and work of God.
Any virtue or status Israel had was because they were lifted up by the power of God’s Spirit. They were not the center of all things. The Lord is the center and focus, and Israel was called to serve in His gracious work through them. Other nations did wicked things to God’s chosen people, but they were not wicked simply because they were “Egypt” or “Assyria”. They were wicked because they rejected God’s Word and work. When people of Egypt and Assyria repented and submitted to the Word of God, then they would be “a blessing in the midst of the land.”
In the true and faithful Christian Church now, people from all nations, including Egypt, Assyria, and Israel, are made part of God’s people; not because of who they are or where they came from, but because the Holy Spirit has created faith in them, and they trust in Jesus Christ, the one and only Savior who makes us one with God the Father.
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.
