1. God’s Mission for His People Isaiah 19:16-25

2. Isaiah 19:16 In that day the Egyptians will be like women, and tremble with fear before the hand that the LORD of hosts shakes over them. 17 And the land of Judah will become a terror to the Egyptians. Everyone to whom it is mentioned will fear because of the purpose that the LORD of hosts has purposed against them. 18 In that day there will be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak the language of Canaan and swear allegiance to the LORD of hosts. One of these will be called the City of Destruction.19 In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border.

3. God’s Mission for His People 20 It will be a sign and a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry to the LORD because of oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and deliver them. 21 And the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day and worship with sacrifice and offering, and they will make vows to the LORD and perform them. 22 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.

4. God’s Mission for His People 23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and Assyria will come into Egypt, and Egypt into Assyria, and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians. 24 In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, 25 whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.” [ESV]

5. God’s Mission for His People Make Himself known Bring all people into relationship with Him Restore creation

6. God’s Mission for His People Israel’s (covenant people) role Make God known to the nations Bring the nations to God

7. God’s Mission for His People Israel’s failure Rebellion and pride Presumed on its election Failed to fulfill its mission

8. God’s Mission for His People Israel’s punishment Divided kingdom Devastation and exile

9. God’s Mission for His People Israel’s punishment Isaiah warned of coming judgment

10. God’s Mission for His People Israel’s response Look to Egypt for deliverance

11. God’s Mission for His People Isaiah’s oracle Isaiah exposed the foolishness of this attempt to avoid judgment

12. God’s Mission for His People Isaiah’s oracle “ If Israel turns to the nations in trust she will be prostituting her ministry to them” (Oswalt, Isaiah, 381)

13. God’s Mission for His People Isaiah’s oracle Egypt too was under judgment (19:1-15) 19:1-4 the gods of Egypt were powerless 19:5-10 the resources of Egypt would fail them 19:11-15 the “wisdom” of Egypt was foolishness

14. God’s Mission for His People Isaiah’s oracle Egypt’s judgment was certain (20:1-5)

15. God’s Mission for His People Isaiah’s oracle The surprising promise: Egypt would turn to YHWH (19:16-25) “When they cry to the LORD, he will send them a savior and defender, and deliver them. And the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day and worship with sacrifice and offering, and they will make vows to the LORD and perform them…Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.” (Isaiah 19:20-25)

16. God’s Mission for His People Isaiah’s oracle Why would Israel trust in a nation who was also under judgment and would one day worship the God Israel ignored?

17. God’s Mission for His People Isaiah’s oracle Disobedience and idolatry would lead to judgment False hopes will fail

18. God’s Mission for His People Isaiah’s oracle Repentance and worship would lead to blessing Only God brings true satisfaction and provides meaning

19. God’s Mission for His People God’s mission will be successful He will establish His people God will restore all of creation

20. God’s Mission for His People God’s mission will be successful Israel consistently failed to participate in God’s mission Will we participate in humility or presume in pride?