"Blessed Be My People"

The prophet then foresees a remarkable development:  "In that day there will come to be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and Assyria will actually come into Egypt , and Egypt into Assyria; and they will certainly render service, Egypt with Assyria.  In that day Israel will come to be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, namely, a blessing in the midst of the earth, because Jehovah of armies will have blessed it, saying:  "Blessed be my people, Egypt, and the work of my hands, Assyria, and my inheritance, Israel.' " (Isaiah 19:23-25) Yes, one day friendly relations will exist between Egypt and Assyria. How?

When Jehovah rescued his people from the nations in times past, he made for them highways to freedom, so to speak.  (Isaiah 11:16; 35:8-10; 49:11-13; Jeremiah 31:21)  A limited fulfillment of this prophecy took place after the defeat of Babylon when exiles from Assyria and Egypt, as well as from Babylon, were brought back to the Promised Land.  (Isaiah 11:11) But what of modern times?

Today, the remnant of anointed spiritual Israelites is "a blessing in the midst of the earth."  They promote the worship and are declaring the Kingdom message to people in all the nations.  Some of these nations are like Assyria, heavenly militaristic. Other nations are more liberal, perhaps like Egypt-at one time "the king of the south" ion Daniel's prophecy.  (Daniel 11:5, 8)  Millions of  individuals from militaristic nations and the more liberal nations have taken up the way of true worship.  Thus, people from all nations are united in 'rendering service.'  There are no nationalistic divisions among these ones.  They love one another, and it can truly be said that 'Assyria comes into Egypt and Assyria.'  It is as if there were a highway from one to the other. -1 Peter 2:17.

How, though, does Israel "come to be the third with Egypt and with Assyria"?  Early in "the time of the end," most of those serving Jehovah on earth were members of "the Israel of God."  (Daniel 12:9; Galatians 6:16)  Since the  1930's, a great crowd of "other sheep," with an earthly hope, have appeared.   (John 10:16a; Revelation  7:9) Coming out of the nations-foreshadowed by Egypt and Assyria-they stream to Jehovah's house of worship and invite others to join them.  (Isaiah 2:2-4) They perform the same preaching work as their anointed brothers, endure similar tests, manifest the same faithfulness and integrity, and feed at the same spiritual table.  Truly, the anointed and the "other sheep" are "one flock, one shepherd."  (John 10:16b)  Can anyone doubt that Jehovah, viewing their zeal and endurance, is pleased with their activity?  Little wonder that he pronounces a benediction on them, saying:  "Blessed be my people"!

Next time:  Trust in Jehovah for Guidance and Protection, Chapter Sixteen

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, 2000