A Highway To Heaven (Isaiah 19:23)

 


Friday, December 20, 2024


Psalms 114; 115

Isaiah 19:16-20:6

Mark 12:13-37


A Highway To Heaven (Isaiah 19:23)


All this talk of ancient empires can get a bit confusing in my head sometimes. Assyria, Egypt, Judah, Cush – as a kid from the suburban sub-tropics, sometimes I read these words so much that they become soup.


Thinking about them as people helps me get a better picture of what we are reading about. It also might help us get a handle of what type of person they represent, and so better understand how God works in the human soul.


Egypt is the tough guy. He has all the money, the looks, the power. He has some competition in Cush, but everyone (including the Cushites) know who the top dog is. Egypt looks at Judah to the north and is using them as a type of buffer-state: by looking after a little place that is nowhere near as strong or rich as they are, Egypt is made to look even more successful.


But then comes Assyria from the north. Egypt thought they were strong, but Assyria is mean, and in an age of war which is waged with sharp sticks, fists, feet, teeth, nails, and rocks, mean wins every time. And so Egypt, who looked like quite the tough guy in his benevolence in not entirely conquering Judah, is scared off by this feral and fierce Assyria. This leaves Judah naked and exposed, with a terrifying foe bearing down on them.


Where is the promise of God that our efforts at virtuous living are guaranteed?


Well, we need to exercise the eyes of faith. Now that we understand the political situation between Egypt, Judah, and Assyria, it seems shocking that God would promise “a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and Assyria will come into Egypt, and Egypt into Assyria, and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians.” And yet, do we not see Christians all over the world, worshipping the Messiah that Isaiah speaks of? Do we not have a closer spiritual union with the Christian living in Egypt than we do the atheist living next door?


God has fulfilled these promises of Isaiah in his church throughout the world; and there is yet more fulfillment to come, such wondrous things we cannot even yet imagine. Where do you see God’s promises coming true, and where can you find the faith to trust that God will fulfil his promise to you in your living?


Lord of miracles: we praise you for your miracle of the fellowship of Christians that transcends nationality. Perform the miracle of virtuous living in our lives, and send us your constant reassurance that this miracle is happening.

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