Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Bonus Reading, Isaiah

The Promise of Egypt's Punishment... and Redemption?   

Today's reading starts off in a similar fashion to other prophets.  It offers an oracle against Egypt.  For their long history of worshiping other gods and injustices toward others, they will be punished by God.

However, this prophecy has a surprising conclusion -- one that you might miss if your eyes have glazed over during the repetitive nature of the prophets.  There will come a day when the Egyptians will find favor with God, whom they will openly worship (along with Israel).  In fact, there will be an open and free highway from Egypt, through Israel, and into Assyria -- and these three countries will all be faithful to God (even Assyria????).

Read Isaiah 19:1-25  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]