Isaiah 18-20; 15-16
The other day, I mentioned that in reading through Isaiah and the other prophets we should not miss the message of hope in Christ. Today we see that message clearly extended beyond Israel and Judah to foreign nations, specifically Cush, Egypt, Assyria, and Moab. (See Isaiah 18:7; 19:18-25; 16:3-5.)
That is good news for us today, for if the LORD has a message of redemption for these nations — even calling Egypt “My people” and Assyria “the work of My hands“, right along with Israel “My inheritance” (Isa. 19:25) — then there is hope for us, too. But let’s be clear: The message of grace and redemption comes very much in the midst of a declaration of judgment upon these same nations. The judgment is on sin and rebellion against the LORD. The grace is for those willing to receive it.
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.
Isaiah 19:22