And the Lord shall smite Egypt, smiting and healing it; and they will return to the Lord, and He will listen to their entreaties and heal them. Isaiah 19:22 AMPC
"Smiting and healing it" - there's such irony in this statement; the incongruence of the unexpected happening. Who would expect healing and smiting in the same breath? In the first half of this chapter, Isaiah prophesied internal turmoil and warfare, outward oppression, natural disaster, and financial despair will strike and ravage this longtime enemy of the Lord's people, this nation of the flesh; yet not in vain or needlessly nor for mere revenge. Egypt will cry to the Lord and return. The Lord will make Himself known to her and she will respond faithfully in that day to His affections. "Then the Lord will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day, and will make sacrifice and offering; yes, they will make a vow to the Lord and perform it" (v. 21).
Smitten and healed – Egypt ultimately comes into Messianic league with Israel and Assyria. "...a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the Lord of hosts has blessed, saying, Blessed be Egypt My people and Assyria the work of My hands and Israel My heritage" (vv. 24b, 25). A picture of the Gentiles and Jews made one with Him through the Lord's salvation – a trifecta of restoration. Applied personally, it's also that which is heathen and fleshly in our triune being of body, soul, and spirit submitting to His ways, and coming into His purpose.
Smitten. Think of the irony in just that one word - to be hit hard or hard hit; to be impressed powerfully or powerfully impressed; affected... by love or violence. In God, the end result of this two-sided coin is ordained the same, healing and deliverance, so it's a win-win situation. But, how will we choose to be smitten? The ideal choice is love, of course. Even the Apostle Paul speaks of this in I Cor. 4:21:
What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
Writing this on the verge of Valentine's Day, highlights to me again the Lord's love for all His creation. Six times (count them!) Isaiah describes in 19:16-25 various aspects of Egypt's turning "in that day" which my New Spirit Filled Life Bible says "often refers to the times of the Messiah." There's no better time, no lovelier time as in the day of His salvation today! In Isaiah's time, it was written as "a future reality," but for us, a glorious present one.
"...and the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them" (Is. 19:1 AMPC) - more irony anyone? Considering the goodness and severity of God, we have the opportunity to melt in utter fear or loving passion. "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!" (Romans 11:33).
Be smitten, be healed!
- Elese
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