Israel shall become the Lioness of Jehovah (Ariel), exacting righteousness in the earth and dispensing blessing that “waits not for man.”
No oppressor shall be allowed to trouble Israel again.
When Israel finally becomes the center of blessing for the earth, then Jehovah shall take delight in His people.
Egypt and Assyria shall have a special place among the nations in the kingdom, though they will still be tributary to Israel.
When Abraham came to Canaan, Egypt was a thriving nation able to succor him in the day of famine.
The twelve sons of Jacob were preserved by Egypt in the days of famine, thus maintaining the testimony of which God had made Jacob and his sons depositaries. God has not forgotten what has been done for Him or His people, and everything shall be rewarded.
Except for the rigors imposed upon Israel by the Pharaohs, Israel at times received much help from Egypt. Was not the Christ child sheltered in Egypt from the Roman king?
“Out of Egypt have I called my son” (Matt. 2:15).
After the just retributions, the pleasing results will be seen as Egypt will cry to the Lord, and He will deliver and bless that nation. Then she will worship the true God as Israel, in the last days. How rich is the mercy of God which restores prodigals, whether individual or national.
The reality of conversion shall be evidenced by the pillar set up to the Lord at the border between Egypt and Israel. An altar shall also be set up to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt. Some of the cities shall speak the language of Canaan, and the Lord shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the Lord. Egypt will share a place with Assyria and Israel under Jehovah.
What a day, when in peace the inhabitants of the nations will sit each under his own vine and under his own fig tree, enjoying the blessings which Jehovah will shower upon him, for “There shall be showers of blessing” (Ezek. 34:26) in that day.
Asshur had been used of God as a “rod” to chasten Israel. Persia, under Cyrus, who ruled the same peoples after Assyria was subdued, showed great favor to Israel in causing the remnant of Judah and Benjamin to return to their Land to build again the temple and walls of Jerusalem.
The land of Assyria proper shall in the end find rich blessing from God through Israel. The three nations, Egypt, Assyria, and Israel shall mingle their gladness under the favor of Jehovah their Redeemer.
“In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians.
In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: Whom the LORD of Hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance” (Isa. 19:23-25).
All wars having ceased, the world subdued to Jehovah and Israel, the full work performed in Mount Zion, the power of Babylon completely removed, enmity gone, brethren dwelling together in unity, the whole world at peace, the King shall be seen in His beauty as He shall appear with His heavenly saints to display them as His to an amazed world.
“The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay their hand upon their mouth, their ears shall be deaf; They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old” (Mic. 7:16-20).
In reviewing the history, ancient and prophetic, of these three nations we learn the wisdom and goodness of God, as well as His wrath toward His enemies.
Having arrived nearly at the end of the age, we discover this master plan, intricate, time-consuming, sublime. In it the Son of God as Man will be honored as the mighty Deliverer of both His heavenly and earthly people. This deliverance could only come through the shedding of His precious blood in death.
What long-enduring patience is seen on the part of God toward the children of Esau, His everlasting love toward Israel, favor toward Assyria because of their help to Israel in restoring Jerusalem, reward to Egypt for many kind acts.
How the majesty of God shines forth as He closes the age in judgment. No evil is overlooked, no bruised reed or smoking flax is slighted.
Righteousness will be established with a rod; is could not be otherwise. Mercy, in which God delights, will flow like a river. Has His mercy enclosed you so as to give your heart peace? Today all who avail themselves of His mercy by receiving Jesus Christ as Saviour will have a heavenly portion; all who refuse will go down to the pit.
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John. 5:24).