The Middle East has occupied much global interest again in recent months. None of the experts on Middle Eastern politics at the end of 2010 would have predicted the significant changes and the ongoing struggles that we have seen in 2011. The ongoing implications for the Middle East and how at least a half dozen countries will be governed in the future is yet unknown. But change is coming and for some countries has arrived.
The prophet Isaiah 2,700 years ago predicted dramatic change for the Middle East that has not yet happened. He prophesied about three countries which had been enemies for years - Egypt, Assyria and Israel. We know that in fact hostility continues to simmer between these countries today - Israel, Egypt and Assyria - which in Isaiah's day would have included the land now divided between countries including Jordan, Syria and Iraq.
The people of Israel had been led out of Egypt by Moses, empowered by God's miracles and presence seven centuries prior to Isaiah. For all of those years, the nation had known and been reassured that they were God's special people. He might have plans to bless all peoples one day, but Israel was His special nation.
With that background - read Isaiah's prophecy in chapter 19. How radical must those words have seemed - they certainly seem radical today.
"The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying, 'Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.'"19:25
Imagine the God of Israel calling an Arab nation "my people, my handiwork"! Imagine grouping these three ancient enemies all under one blessing, as though God loved all of them!
On this side of the cross, we have no trouble believing that God loves all peoples, including those in the Middle East. The New Testament proclaims that the Good News is for Jew and Gentile (all nations and peoples that are not Israel). But can we imagine true peace, true friendship under God in the Middle East?
Politicians, world leaders, academics can only guess what the future holds for the Middle East. We know what the ultimate future is. So this 2,700 year prophecy by Isaiah is something to anticipate, something for which we should pray!
We pray "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Therefore O God, we pray that soon this ancient prophecy might be fulfilled. We long to see the tension, the terrorism, the hatred, the enmity which has seethed through the Middle East in the past, and still boils there today disappear. We pray that You, the God of Peace, the One who promises to bless these nations, would replace the enmity and fulfill your Word. Would you do so soon? We believe that true peace will only come to that part of the world - to our whole world - when the Prince of Peace reigns. And so we pray for your kingdom and your will to come on earth. Amen."
The prophet Isaiah 2,700 years ago predicted dramatic change for the Middle East that has not yet happened. He prophesied about three countries which had been enemies for years - Egypt, Assyria and Israel. We know that in fact hostility continues to simmer between these countries today - Israel, Egypt and Assyria - which in Isaiah's day would have included the land now divided between countries including Jordan, Syria and Iraq.
The people of Israel had been led out of Egypt by Moses, empowered by God's miracles and presence seven centuries prior to Isaiah. For all of those years, the nation had known and been reassured that they were God's special people. He might have plans to bless all peoples one day, but Israel was His special nation.
With that background - read Isaiah's prophecy in chapter 19. How radical must those words have seemed - they certainly seem radical today.
"The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying, 'Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.'"19:25
Imagine the God of Israel calling an Arab nation "my people, my handiwork"! Imagine grouping these three ancient enemies all under one blessing, as though God loved all of them!
On this side of the cross, we have no trouble believing that God loves all peoples, including those in the Middle East. The New Testament proclaims that the Good News is for Jew and Gentile (all nations and peoples that are not Israel). But can we imagine true peace, true friendship under God in the Middle East?
Politicians, world leaders, academics can only guess what the future holds for the Middle East. We know what the ultimate future is. So this 2,700 year prophecy by Isaiah is something to anticipate, something for which we should pray!
We pray "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Therefore O God, we pray that soon this ancient prophecy might be fulfilled. We long to see the tension, the terrorism, the hatred, the enmity which has seethed through the Middle East in the past, and still boils there today disappear. We pray that You, the God of Peace, the One who promises to bless these nations, would replace the enmity and fulfill your Word. Would you do so soon? We believe that true peace will only come to that part of the world - to our whole world - when the Prince of Peace reigns. And so we pray for your kingdom and your will to come on earth. Amen."
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