Tuesday after Exaudi
Posted on May 31, 2022 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 the burden of the Lord against Egypt, God also reveals hope for Egypt. Though Egypt be afflicted and smitten, yet many Egyptians would return to the Lord, and God will hear their prayers and heal them. This is fulfilled in the holy life and innocent suffering and death of Christ Jesus for the sins of the world. Through the preaching of the Gospel, where once God judged the land for the idolatry and wickedness of the people, God later showed great mercy. Many people of Egypt came to know and trust in Christ Jesus as the true God and their Savior from sin, eternal death, and damnation.
In the years before Christ’s birth, Egypt became home to many devout Jews who studied the Scriptures and looked for the coming Messiah and Savior. Following Christ’s birth and sacrifice, Egypt was the home of many who believed in Christ Jesus and followed Him. From this we see that even when God judges a land and its people for their wickedness and unbelief, His ultimate desire is to show them mercy and grant them repentance and faith in Christ Jesus, their Savior.
Prayer: 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.
