Read Isaiah 19:22-25.
These days news from the Middle East is seldom cheery. The war-torn countries in this region are in a constant state of attack or counterattack. This trend is traceable to Old Testament times where we see many of the same players—with different borders and names—regularly challenged each other.
The People of God were often caught in the middle of sweeping changes of regional power. Sometimes, under the reign of Kings like David and Solomon, a united Israel was the wielder of power; at other times Israel was nearly helpless to stop the push and pull of foreign armies.
Much of the book of Isaiah details God’s judgments for faithless actions—with some blessings for obedience mixed in—for both Israel and the surrounding nations. Isaiah 19:22-25 breaks up messages of condemnation and rebuke to shine God’s grace.
This passage brought my wife and I peace and joy while we lived and ministered in the Middle East. It reveals Egypt and Assyria— compiled of modern day Iraq, Syria, and Turkey—will repent, turn to the Lord, and be blessed. A highway of blessing will run through the very heart of the Middle East. Most remarkably, Egypt, Assyria, and Israel will fellowship and worship God together.
News from the Middle East is seldom celebratory, but one glorious day that will all change.
Father, we eagerly wait for the day You establish a highway of blessing through the war-torn Middle East. As we anticipate this coming day, empower believers in these places to unashamedly live as Your ambassadors. Amen.
-written by a missionary on our Equipping Team