by jimwalton » Sat Nov 19, 2022 8:02 pm
I think Isa. 19.23, 25 have nothing to do with Jesus in Egypt, nor anything to do with the alleged miracle of 3/12/76.
In Isaiah 19.23, Isaiah is speaking of the End Times ("In that day," viz. the Day of the Lord). Egypt and Assyria were the superpowers of their day, and Isaiah mentions them archetypically. His point is that there will come a time when the powers of the world are agents of peace who recognize the Lord's sovereignty and submit to His rule. It's the same kind of image as when the lion will lay down next to the lamb, and swords will be beat into plowshares. There will even be a time when Egypt and Assyria (bitter enemies) will live in peace! It’s a way of expressing an era of peace and goodwill.
John Oswalt says, " 'Highway' is a favorite metaphor for removal of alienation and separation. And rough and hilly Israel, the force of such a figure is obvious."
The Lord will bless them. Peace will come from God's merciful hands. Oswalt again: "In a remarkable statement Isaiah applies terms previously restricted to Israel to both Egypt and Assyria as well. He calls Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hand."
The point of the text is the blessing and peace of God in the last days, which speaks of Heaven.
I think Isa. 19.23, 25 have nothing to do with Jesus in Egypt, nor anything to do with the alleged miracle of 3/12/76.
In Isaiah 19.23, Isaiah is speaking of the End Times ("In that day," viz. the Day of the Lord). Egypt and Assyria were the superpowers of their day, and Isaiah mentions them archetypically. His point is that there will come a time when the powers of the world are agents of peace who recognize the Lord's sovereignty and submit to His rule. It's the same kind of image as when the lion will lay down next to the lamb, and swords will be beat into plowshares. There will even be a time when Egypt and Assyria (bitter enemies) will live in peace! It’s a way of expressing an era of peace and goodwill.
John Oswalt says, " 'Highway' is a favorite metaphor for removal of alienation and separation. And rough and hilly Israel, the force of such a figure is obvious."
The Lord will bless them. Peace will come from God's merciful hands. Oswalt again: "In a remarkable statement Isaiah applies terms previously restricted to Israel to both Egypt and Assyria as well. He calls Egypt [i]my people[/i], and Assyria [i]the work of my hand[/i]."
The point of the text is the blessing and peace of God in the last days, which speaks of Heaven.