Can historic enemies turn to the Lord and reconcile? Is this part of God’s ultimate plan? Let’s begin in Isaiah 19.
Will Egypt become confounded by civil war and a harsh dictatorship?
An oracle [burden, prophecy] concerning Egypt. Behold, the Lord is riding on a swift cloud and comes to Egypt; and the idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence, and the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them. And I will stir up Egyptians against Egyptians, and they will fight, each against another and each against his neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom; and the spirit of the Egyptians within them will be emptied out, and I will confound their counsel; and they will inquire of the idols and the sorcerers, and the mediums and the necromancers; and I will give over the Egyptians into the hand of a hard master, and a fierce king will rule over them, declares the Lord God of hosts. (Isa 19:1-4 ESV)
Will Egypt’s national dependence on the river for crops and fishing be severely tested?
The waters of the sea will dry up, and the river will be parched and dry. The channels will stink; they will dwindle, and Egypt’s canals will be parched. Reed and rush will die. The reeds by the Nile, by the mouth of the river, and all the cultivated areas of the Nile will wither, blow away, and vanish. Then the fishermen will mourn. All those who cast hooks into the Nile will lament, and those who spread nets on the water will shrivel up. Those who work with flax will be dismayed; the combers and weavers will turn pale. Egypt’s weavers will be dejected; all her wage earners will be demoralized. (Isa 19:5-10 HCSB)
Did Zoan, the ancient Egyptian capital city on the Nile delta, contain foolish leaders? Did other national leaders in Memphis, an administrative and religious hub, also lead Egypt astray?
Zoan’s princes are nothing but fools; the wisest advisors of Pharaoh give stupid advice. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I’m a descendant of wise men, a descendant of ancient kings”? Where are your wise men now? Let them tell you, let them make known what the Lord has planned against Egypt. The princes of Zoan have become fools, and the princes of Memphis deluded; the leaders of its tribes have led Egypt astray. The Lord has mixed within them a spirit of confusion; so they make Egypt stagger in all that it does, like a drunkard staggers around in his vomit. As a result, there will be nothing for Egypt that head or tail, palm branch or reed, can do. (Isa 19:11-15 ISV)
Does Egypt become fearful, afraid when anyone even mentions the land of Judah?
In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the Lord of hosts, which he shaketh over it. And the land of Judah shall be a terror unto Egypt, every one that maketh mention thereof shall be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the Lord of hosts, which he hath determined against it. (Isa 19:16-17 KJV)
How can God smiting a nation lead to its healing? Do some Egyptian cities adopt the language of Canaan and worship the Lord?
In that day five cities in the land of Egypt will be speaking the language of Canaan and swearing allegiance to Yahweh of hosts; one will be called the City of Destruction. In that day there will be an altar to Yahweh in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to Yahweh near its border. And it will become a sign and a witness to Yahweh of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to Yahweh because of oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Champion, and He will deliver them. Thus Yahweh will make Himself known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know Yahweh in that day. They will even worship with sacrifice and offering, and they will make a vow to Yahweh and pay it. And Yahweh will smite Egypt, smiting but healing; so they will return to Yahweh, and He will be moved by their entreaty and will heal them. (Isa 19:18-22 LSB)
At that time will Egypt, Assyria and Israel all worship the Lord together?
On that day there will be a road from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrians will come into Egypt and the Egyptians into Assyria; and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians. On that day Israel will be the third party to Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the Lord of armies has blessed, saying, “Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.” (Isa 19:23-25 NASB)
Does God’s purpose ultimately include peace and unity between Jew and Gentile?
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility (Eph 2:14 NIV)
Can historic enemies turn to the Lord and reconcile? Is this part of God’s ultimate plan? You decide!
Cush (Isaiah 18)
Did Ethiopia and Sudan have a history with the one true God long before the time of Christ? Do other nations have ancient stories of God? Let’s look at Isaiah 18.
Is this message for Cush, an ancient peoples spanning Sudan and northern Ethiopia, a land where the Nile divides? Were they known for papyrus boats that were light and fast?
Woe to the land shadowed with buzzing wings, Which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia [Cush], Which sends ambassadors by sea, Even in vessels of reed on the waters, saying, “Go, swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth of skin, To a people terrible from their beginning onward, A nation powerful and treading down, Whose land the rivers divide.” (Isa 18:1-2 NKJV)
When God raises the alarm of war, anciently a ram’s horn, should the whole world pay attention to what God is about to do?
All you people of the world, everyone who lives on the earth—when I raise my battle flag on the mountain, look! When I blow the ram’s horn, listen! (Isa 18:3 NLT)
Is God planning to give the land of Cush a wake up call, hoping they will repent?
For Yahweh said to me, “I will be still, and I will see in my dwelling place, like clear heat in sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.” For before the harvest, when the blossom is over, and the flower becomes a ripening grape, he will cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and he will cut down and take away the spreading branches. They will be left together for the ravenous birds of the mountains, and for the animals of the earth. The ravenous birds will eat them in the summer, and all the animals of the earth will eat them in the winter. (Isa 18:4-6 WEB)
Would Cush, a land of tall people, repent and turn to the Lord sending gifts to Jerusalem?
At that time, gifts will be brought to the Lord of heavenly forces from a tall and clean-shaven people and from a people feared near and far, a nation barbaric and oppressive, whose land the rivers divide, to the place of the name of the Lord of heavenly forces, to Mount Zion. (Isa 18:7 CEB)
After being baptized by Philip did the Ethiopian eunuch take the Gospel to his people as early church fathers taught? Was this the start of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, a church independent of Rome except for a brief decade in the 1600’s?
After they had come out of the water, the Lord's Spirit took Philip away. The official never saw him again, but he was very happy as he went on his way. (Acts 8:39 CEV)
Did Ethiopia and Sudan have a history with the one true God long before the time of Christ? Do other nations have ancient stories of God? You decide!
Is this message for Cush, an ancient peoples spanning Sudan and northern Ethiopia, a land where the Nile divides? Were they known for papyrus boats that were light and fast?
Woe to the land shadowed with buzzing wings, Which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia [Cush], Which sends ambassadors by sea, Even in vessels of reed on the waters, saying, “Go, swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth of skin, To a people terrible from their beginning onward, A nation powerful and treading down, Whose land the rivers divide.” (Isa 18:1-2 NKJV)
When God raises the alarm of war, anciently a ram’s horn, should the whole world pay attention to what God is about to do?
All you people of the world, everyone who lives on the earth—when I raise my battle flag on the mountain, look! When I blow the ram’s horn, listen! (Isa 18:3 NLT)
Is God planning to give the land of Cush a wake up call, hoping they will repent?
For Yahweh said to me, “I will be still, and I will see in my dwelling place, like clear heat in sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.” For before the harvest, when the blossom is over, and the flower becomes a ripening grape, he will cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and he will cut down and take away the spreading branches. They will be left together for the ravenous birds of the mountains, and for the animals of the earth. The ravenous birds will eat them in the summer, and all the animals of the earth will eat them in the winter. (Isa 18:4-6 WEB)
Would Cush, a land of tall people, repent and turn to the Lord sending gifts to Jerusalem?
At that time, gifts will be brought to the Lord of heavenly forces from a tall and clean-shaven people and from a people feared near and far, a nation barbaric and oppressive, whose land the rivers divide, to the place of the name of the Lord of heavenly forces, to Mount Zion. (Isa 18:7 CEB)
After being baptized by Philip did the Ethiopian eunuch take the Gospel to his people as early church fathers taught? Was this the start of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, a church independent of Rome except for a brief decade in the 1600’s?
After they had come out of the water, the Lord's Spirit took Philip away. The official never saw him again, but he was very happy as he went on his way. (Acts 8:39 CEV)
Did Ethiopia and Sudan have a history with the one true God long before the time of Christ? Do other nations have ancient stories of God? You decide!
Damascus (Isaiah 17)
Did Damascus fall to Assyria at the same time as the northern tribes of Israel? Will the world experience God’s anger for its hard hearted refusal to repent at Christ’s return? Let’s look at Isaiah 17.
Was Damascus, the capital of Aram, modern Syria, predicted to fall at the same time as Ephraim’s fortress?
An oracle against Damascus: Look, Damascus is no longer a city. It has become a ruined heap. The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be places for flocks. They will lie down without fear. The fortress disappears from Ephraim, and a kingdom from Damascus. The remnant of Aram will be like the splendor of the Israelites. This is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts. (Isa 17:1-3 HCSB)
Did Isaiah prophesy simultaneous destruction for most of Israel with very little remaining?
“At that time, Jacob’s glory will have become weakened, and his strong flesh will turn gaunt; it will be as if harvesters gather standing grain, reaping the ears by hand, or it will be as if grain is harvested in the valley of Rephaim. Nevertheless, gleanings will remain in Israel, as when an olive tree is beaten—two or three ripe olives left in the topmost branches, four or five left among the branches of a fruit-filled tree,” declares the Lord God of Israel. (Isa 17:4-6 ISV)
Will men abandon their worthless idols and return to their Maker?
At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel. And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images. (Isa 17:7-8 KJV)
Does a fruitful land become unproductive because a people have forgotten the God of their salvation?
In that day their strong cities will be like forsaken places in the forest, Or like branches which they forsook before the sons of Israel; And the land will be a desolation. For you have forgotten the God of your salvation And have not remembered the rock of your strong defense. Therefore you plant delightful plants And set them with vine branches of a strange god. In the day that you plant it you carefully fence it in, And in the morning you cause your seed to flourish; But the harvest will be a heap In a day of sickliness and incurable pain. (Isa 17:9-11 LSB)
Will God suddenly rebuke bully nations that roar and plunder Israel?
Oh, the uproar of many peoples Who roar like the roaring of the seas, And the rumbling of nations Who rush on like the rumbling of mighty waters! The nations rumble on like the rumbling of many waters, But He will rebuke them, and they will flee far away, And be chased like chaff on the mountains before the wind, Or like whirling dust before a gale. At evening time, behold, there is terror! Before morning they are gone. This will be the fate of those who plunder us And the lot of those who pillage us. (Isa 17:12-14 NASB)
Will God rebuke the nations again at the Second Coming of our Lord?
Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.” (Rev 16:1 NIV)
Did Damascus fall to Assyria at the same time as the northern tribes of Israel? Will the world experience God’s anger for its hard hearted refusal to repent at Christ’s return? You decide!
Was Damascus, the capital of Aram, modern Syria, predicted to fall at the same time as Ephraim’s fortress?
An oracle against Damascus: Look, Damascus is no longer a city. It has become a ruined heap. The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be places for flocks. They will lie down without fear. The fortress disappears from Ephraim, and a kingdom from Damascus. The remnant of Aram will be like the splendor of the Israelites. This is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts. (Isa 17:1-3 HCSB)
Did Isaiah prophesy simultaneous destruction for most of Israel with very little remaining?
“At that time, Jacob’s glory will have become weakened, and his strong flesh will turn gaunt; it will be as if harvesters gather standing grain, reaping the ears by hand, or it will be as if grain is harvested in the valley of Rephaim. Nevertheless, gleanings will remain in Israel, as when an olive tree is beaten—two or three ripe olives left in the topmost branches, four or five left among the branches of a fruit-filled tree,” declares the Lord God of Israel. (Isa 17:4-6 ISV)
Will men abandon their worthless idols and return to their Maker?
At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel. And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images. (Isa 17:7-8 KJV)
Does a fruitful land become unproductive because a people have forgotten the God of their salvation?
In that day their strong cities will be like forsaken places in the forest, Or like branches which they forsook before the sons of Israel; And the land will be a desolation. For you have forgotten the God of your salvation And have not remembered the rock of your strong defense. Therefore you plant delightful plants And set them with vine branches of a strange god. In the day that you plant it you carefully fence it in, And in the morning you cause your seed to flourish; But the harvest will be a heap In a day of sickliness and incurable pain. (Isa 17:9-11 LSB)
Will God suddenly rebuke bully nations that roar and plunder Israel?
Oh, the uproar of many peoples Who roar like the roaring of the seas, And the rumbling of nations Who rush on like the rumbling of mighty waters! The nations rumble on like the rumbling of many waters, But He will rebuke them, and they will flee far away, And be chased like chaff on the mountains before the wind, Or like whirling dust before a gale. At evening time, behold, there is terror! Before morning they are gone. This will be the fate of those who plunder us And the lot of those who pillage us. (Isa 17:12-14 NASB)
Will God rebuke the nations again at the Second Coming of our Lord?
Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.” (Rev 16:1 NIV)
Did Damascus fall to Assyria at the same time as the northern tribes of Israel? Will the world experience God’s anger for its hard hearted refusal to repent at Christ’s return? You decide!
Proud Moab (Isaiah 16)
Do Israel and Moab have a long history, from Lot, Balak and Baalam, Ruth, and David’s parents finding refuge there? Is God patient with all nations? Let’s look at Isaiah 16.
As Moab is attacked by foreign forces, is there a place of refuge for them in Zion, if they will bring tribute to the king of Judah, as once did Mesha, King of Moab (2 Kings 3:4-5)? Would that include submission to the one true God?
Send lambs as tribute to the ruler of the land, from Sela [Petra], across the desert, to the mount of Daughter Zion. Like fluttering birds pushed from the nest, so are the women of Moab at the fords of the Arnon. (Isa 16:1-2 NIV)
In reverse, should Moab show mercy upon the outcasts of Judah and be a place of refuge? Is there a coming king in Judah who will execute justice and righteousness?
“Take counsel, execute judgment; Make your shadow like the night in the middle of the day; Hide the outcasts, Do not betray him who escapes. Let My outcasts dwell with you, O Moab; Be a shelter to them from the face of the spoiler. For the extortioner is at an end, Devastation ceases, The oppressors are consumed out of the land. In mercy the throne will be established; And One will sit on it in truth, in the tabernacle of David, Judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness.” (Isa 16:3-5 NKJV)
Is Moab just like many nations, where national pride, rather than national humility, causes them problems? What causes a return to sweet humility in the nation?
We have heard about proud Moab—about its pride and arrogance and rage. But all that boasting has disappeared. The entire land of Moab weeps. Yes, everyone in Moab mourns for the cakes of raisins from Kir-hareseth. They are all gone now. The farms of Heshbon are abandoned; the vineyards at Sibmah are deserted. The rulers of the nations have broken down Moab—that beautiful grapevine. Its tendrils spread north as far as the town of Jazer and trailed eastward into the wilderness. Its shoots reached so far west that they crossed over the Dead Sea. (Isa 16:6-8 NLT)
Did the prophet weep for Moab, even as he predicted national suffering?
Therefore I will weep with the weeping of Jazer for the vine of Sibmah. I will water you with my tears, Heshbon, and Elealeh: for on your summer fruits and on your harvest the battle shout has fallen. Gladness is taken away, and joy out of the fruitful field; and in the vineyards there will be no singing, neither joyful noise. Nobody will tread out wine in the presses. I have made the shouting stop. Therefore my heart sounds like a harp for Moab, and my inward parts for Kir Heres. It will happen that when Moab presents himself, when he wearies himself on the high place, and comes to his sanctuary to pray, that he will not prevail. (Isa 16:9-12 WEB)
How quickly would this national calamity fall upon Moab? Is this a warning to any proud nation, that its glory can fade quickly, if God wills?
This is the word that the Lord had spoken concerning Moab long ago. But now the Lord has said: In three years, like the years of a hired worker, the glory of Moab, with all its great multitude, will dwindle. The small remnant will be few and feeble. (Isa 16:13-14 CEB)
What is a principle that we, in our national pride, too often forget?
Pride comes before disaster, and arrogance before a fall. (Prov 16:18 CEB)
Is God patient with our nations, waiting for us all to come to repentance?
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Pet 3:9 ESV)
Do Israel and Moab have a long history, from Lot, Balak and Baalam, Ruth, and David’s parents finding refuge there? Is God patient with all nations? You decide!
As Moab is attacked by foreign forces, is there a place of refuge for them in Zion, if they will bring tribute to the king of Judah, as once did Mesha, King of Moab (2 Kings 3:4-5)? Would that include submission to the one true God?
Send lambs as tribute to the ruler of the land, from Sela [Petra], across the desert, to the mount of Daughter Zion. Like fluttering birds pushed from the nest, so are the women of Moab at the fords of the Arnon. (Isa 16:1-2 NIV)
In reverse, should Moab show mercy upon the outcasts of Judah and be a place of refuge? Is there a coming king in Judah who will execute justice and righteousness?
“Take counsel, execute judgment; Make your shadow like the night in the middle of the day; Hide the outcasts, Do not betray him who escapes. Let My outcasts dwell with you, O Moab; Be a shelter to them from the face of the spoiler. For the extortioner is at an end, Devastation ceases, The oppressors are consumed out of the land. In mercy the throne will be established; And One will sit on it in truth, in the tabernacle of David, Judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness.” (Isa 16:3-5 NKJV)
Is Moab just like many nations, where national pride, rather than national humility, causes them problems? What causes a return to sweet humility in the nation?
We have heard about proud Moab—about its pride and arrogance and rage. But all that boasting has disappeared. The entire land of Moab weeps. Yes, everyone in Moab mourns for the cakes of raisins from Kir-hareseth. They are all gone now. The farms of Heshbon are abandoned; the vineyards at Sibmah are deserted. The rulers of the nations have broken down Moab—that beautiful grapevine. Its tendrils spread north as far as the town of Jazer and trailed eastward into the wilderness. Its shoots reached so far west that they crossed over the Dead Sea. (Isa 16:6-8 NLT)
Did the prophet weep for Moab, even as he predicted national suffering?
Therefore I will weep with the weeping of Jazer for the vine of Sibmah. I will water you with my tears, Heshbon, and Elealeh: for on your summer fruits and on your harvest the battle shout has fallen. Gladness is taken away, and joy out of the fruitful field; and in the vineyards there will be no singing, neither joyful noise. Nobody will tread out wine in the presses. I have made the shouting stop. Therefore my heart sounds like a harp for Moab, and my inward parts for Kir Heres. It will happen that when Moab presents himself, when he wearies himself on the high place, and comes to his sanctuary to pray, that he will not prevail. (Isa 16:9-12 WEB)
How quickly would this national calamity fall upon Moab? Is this a warning to any proud nation, that its glory can fade quickly, if God wills?
This is the word that the Lord had spoken concerning Moab long ago. But now the Lord has said: In three years, like the years of a hired worker, the glory of Moab, with all its great multitude, will dwindle. The small remnant will be few and feeble. (Isa 16:13-14 CEB)
What is a principle that we, in our national pride, too often forget?
Pride comes before disaster, and arrogance before a fall. (Prov 16:18 CEB)
Is God patient with our nations, waiting for us all to come to repentance?
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Pet 3:9 ESV)
Do Israel and Moab have a long history, from Lot, Balak and Baalam, Ruth, and David’s parents finding refuge there? Is God patient with all nations? You decide!
Moab (Isaiah 15)
What can we learn from Moab mourning for their national sins? Is this just past or also future punishment upon Jordan? Let’s look at Isaiah 15?
What does God have to warn Moab about, descendants of whom live in today’s Jordan?
A message concerning Moab: “For Ir in Moab is destroyed in a night, and Moab is ruined! Because Ir in Moab is destroyed in a single night, Moab is ruined! He has gone up to the temple, and to Dibon, to the high places to weep; over Nebo and over Medeba Moab wails. His head is completely bald, and every beard is shaved off. In its streets they wear sackcloth; on its rooftops and in its squares everyone wails and falls down weeping. Heshbon and Elealeh cry out, their voices are heard as far as Jahaz; therefore the loins of Moab cry aloud; its heart quakes for itself. (Isa 15:1-4 ISV)
Did Isaiah’s heart break as he prophesied that Moab’s refugees would head south to the desert in tears?
My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction. For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate: for the hay is withered away, the grass faileth, there is no green thing. Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away to the brook of the willows. (Isa 15:5-7 KJV)
Did the remnants of the people cry and wail all over the country of Moab?
For the cry has gone around the territory of Moab, Its wailing goes as far as Eglaim and its wailing even to Beer-elim. For the waters of Dimon are full of blood; Surely I will put added woes upon Dimon, A lion upon those of Moab who have escaped and upon the remnant of the land. (Isa 15:8-9 LSB)
Is mourning a good thing, because it will normally lead us to repentance and then to God’s comfort?
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Mat 5:4 NASB)
What can we learn from Moab mourning for their national sins? Is this just past or also future punishment upon Jordan? You decide!
What does God have to warn Moab about, descendants of whom live in today’s Jordan?
A message concerning Moab: “For Ir in Moab is destroyed in a night, and Moab is ruined! Because Ir in Moab is destroyed in a single night, Moab is ruined! He has gone up to the temple, and to Dibon, to the high places to weep; over Nebo and over Medeba Moab wails. His head is completely bald, and every beard is shaved off. In its streets they wear sackcloth; on its rooftops and in its squares everyone wails and falls down weeping. Heshbon and Elealeh cry out, their voices are heard as far as Jahaz; therefore the loins of Moab cry aloud; its heart quakes for itself. (Isa 15:1-4 ISV)
Did Isaiah’s heart break as he prophesied that Moab’s refugees would head south to the desert in tears?
My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction. For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate: for the hay is withered away, the grass faileth, there is no green thing. Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away to the brook of the willows. (Isa 15:5-7 KJV)
Did the remnants of the people cry and wail all over the country of Moab?
For the cry has gone around the territory of Moab, Its wailing goes as far as Eglaim and its wailing even to Beer-elim. For the waters of Dimon are full of blood; Surely I will put added woes upon Dimon, A lion upon those of Moab who have escaped and upon the remnant of the land. (Isa 15:8-9 LSB)
Is mourning a good thing, because it will normally lead us to repentance and then to God’s comfort?
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Mat 5:4 NASB)
What can we learn from Moab mourning for their national sins? Is this just past or also future punishment upon Jordan? You decide!
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