“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.”” Isaiah 19:24-25 ESV
Reflection: who are “God’s people”?
Read the focus verses today once more, and ask yourself if this aligns with your current understanding, what perhaps you have been taught. We see the Lord of hosts Himself speaking about three different nations, but referring to them as His “people”, His “hands” and His “inheritance”. What? This is the Lord’s designation of Egypt, Assyria, and Israel, and is not what we normally hear and think of, right? So what is going on here?
We need to read a bit earlier in this prophecy over Egypt, starting in v19. “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. It will be a sign and a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry to the Lord because of oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and deliver them. And the Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day and worship with sacrifice and offering, and they will make vows to the Lord and perform them. And the Lord will strike Egypt, striking and healing, and they will return to the Lord, and he will listen to their pleas for mercy and heal them. In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and Assyria will come into Egypt, and Egypt into Assyria, and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians.” Isaiah 19:19-23 ESV. Did you notice the Lord will send them
“a savior and defender”,
and deliver them. A savior? A deliverer? Clearly, this prophecy is looking forward towards the Messiah, the savior for all the nations. Through Jesus, salvation is offered to all people. Isaiah later recorded a familiar prophecy of Jesus ““Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Isaiah 55:1 ESV, which was echoed by Jesus directly “On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”” John 7:37-38 ESV
We can get a bit confused about the phrase “God’s people”, thinking it is based on genetics, physical borders or political decisions. Peter explained who are God’s people this way “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10 ESV. God’s people are all who have received Jesus Christ, who believes in His name, born by God according to John 1:12-13. And, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”” Acts 4:12 NIV