Discord before blessing
Day 319, Thursday, June 26
Isaiah Chapters 18-20

The prophecies in today’s reading refer both to Egypt and surrounding nations and to the Assyrians, who are northeast of Judah.

This is a time of turmoil for Egypt, under attack by both the Ethiopians to the south and the Assyrians in Asia.

Isaiah views the troubles of Egypt as being from God for the purpose of bringing them to worship hom.

“See, the Lord rides on a swift cloud and is coming Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before him, and the hearts of the Egyptians melt with fear.

“I will stir up Egyptian against Egyptian – brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.

“The Egyptians will lose heart, and I will bring their plans to nothing.”

In an unexpected twist, though, the prophcy looks forward to the day when both the Egyptians and the Assyrians will worship the God of the Jews and peace will reign in the land.

Thursday meditation

Proverbs 31:23
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

Prayer focus
God, in our times of turmoil when brother fights against brother and neighbor against neighbor, let us look forward to hope and confidence to the day that we are all united as your children in your kingdom of peace.

-Rev. Mark Fleming