“In that day Egypt and Assyria will be connected by a highway. The Egyptians and Assyrians will move freely between their lands, and they will both worship God. In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth” (Isaiah 19:23-24 NLT).
The Lord spoke through Isaiah concerning a day when the rivalry between Egypt and Assyria would end, and Israel would no longer be the battleground between them. This must have been an astounding prophecy for that time. For Egypt and Assyria had been sworn enemies and Israel suffered between them in a brutal tug-of-war. Yet, the Lord said a day was coming when a “highway” would connect them.
There have been partial fulfillments of this prophecy since Isaiah’s time. Under Cyrus, the Persian king, there was peace between the three countries. And again, under Alexander, the three were under one banner for a brief time. Yet, it seems most likely that it was the time of the Romans that Isaiah foresaw. For it was during the time of Roman rule that there was peace between the three and more than that, it was the time when Christ Jesus appeared.
When Jesus began His public ministry, He made the Jewish town of Capernaum His base of operations. Strategically located on the North shore of the Sea of Galilee, the highway that connected Egypt to Syria, called the Via Maris (“Way of the Sea”), passed through Capernaum. During this time, the “blessed” message of Jesus was soon carried on this highway and every other highway in the Roman Empire and beyond–”a blessing within the land.”
However, today we see that Israel is again the battleground between the countries of the Middle East. Surely, the ultimate fulfillment of Isaiah’s promise awaits Christ’s return.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we believe that Jesus is the fulfillment of all Your promises. He is the true and only Highway to peace and blessing. For He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Strengthen us to carry the gospel on every highway throughout the world until His soon return. In Jesus’ name, amen.