July 3, 2025 - Isaiah 13-24

Quite a few chapters, this morning.  However, because they constitute such a unified component, I am looking at them as a whole and over two days (today and tomorrow).  An overall look:  In these chapters in Isaiah the prophet speaks to the nations around Israel:  Babylon, Assyria, Moab, Syria, Cush, Egypt, Tyre, and Sidon.  These are judgment passages, but amazingly, in the midst of all this is a message of hope:  “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. . . . When they cry to the Lord because of oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and deliver them. . . . he will listen to their pleas for mercy and heal them. . . . 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’” (20:19,20,22-25).  Even the enemies of God and his people can become God’s allies and friends when they turn toward him and he moves toward them with mercy.  A good, encouraging word here, i.e., that no one and no nation is beyond the Lord’s ability to redeem.

What glories were described of old!

What wonders are of Zion told!

Thou city of our God below,

Thy fame shall Tyre and Egypt know.

Egypt and Tyre, and Greek and Jew,

Shall there begin their lives anew;

Angels and men shall join to sing

The hill where living waters spring.   –Isaac Watts