Tuesday January 15: 9 Shevat

It was on this day in 1980 that the border between Egypt and Israel was declared open, once again, allowing travelers to follow the ancient “King’s Highway” that connected these two nations. This was a very significant event in the maturing relations between Israel and Egypt, former longtime enemies. This treaty has been beneficial to both countries, although the treaty has been tested by those who want to disrupt it and perpetuate a constant state of war.

Unfortunately, war between these nations will come again, though we know not when. However, the Bible seems to indicate that the next war will be one that results in true peace. This war we refer to is the one that God will wage upon His enemies on behalf of His people. When this war concludes, there will be a true, lasting peace under the rule of the Prince of Peace. In that day, all borders will be open so that all peoples can flow into Jerusalem from all nations – including Egypt.

“The Lord will utterly destroy the tongue of the Sea of Egypt; with His mighty wind He will shake His fist over the River, and strike it in the seven streams, and make men cross over dry-shod. There will be a highway for the remnant of His people who will be left from Assyria, as it was for Israel in the day that he came up from the land of Egypt.”

In that day, the Lord will redeem the righteous and assemble all of His weary and persecuted people from around the world. Thus, He says in Isaiah 35:4-6:

“Say to those who are fearful-hearted, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.’ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.”

These things are going to happen while He is regathering His people from the nations. Why are there streams in the wilderness? Because His people will need water when they are traveling the King’s Highway. Isaiah 35:8-10 describes the scene:

“A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; it shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk there, and the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

Treaties of peace come and go. The whims of humanity change as often as the seasons. The conditions under which peace treaties are signed change, thus man inevitably ends up in war with his neighbor. But the God of Israel is true, constant and eternal. It’s reassuring to know that, in this time of chaos and conflict, God really is in control and He keep His promise.

One of those promises is that He will rule and, thus, peace shall reign upon the earth. He promised that there will be a highway He has prepared for His people that they may go up to the mountain of the Lord. That’s a heartwarming thought to ponder as we face the harsh realities of this chaotic world. Be encouraged and be blessed.

Tuesday January 15: 9 Shevat

It was on this day in 1980 that the border between Egypt and Israel was declared open, once again, allowing travelers to follow the ancient “King’s Highway” that connected these two nations. This was a very significant event in the maturing relations between Israel and Egypt, former longtime enemies. This treaty has been beneficial to both countries, although the treaty has been tested by those who want to disrupt it and perpetuate a constant state of war.

Unfortunately, war between these nations will come again, though we know not when. However, the Bible seems to indicate that the next war will be one that results in true peace. This war we refer to is the one that God will wage upon His enemies on behalf of His people. When this war concludes, there will be a true, lasting peace under the rule of the Prince of Peace. In that day, all borders will be open so that all peoples can flow into Jerusalem from all nations – including Egypt.

“The Lord will utterly destroy the tongue of the Sea of Egypt; with His mighty wind He will shake His fist over the River, and strike it in the seven streams, and make men cross over dry-shod. There will be a highway for the remnant of His people who will be left from Assyria, as it was for Israel in the day that he came up from the land of Egypt.”

In that day, the Lord will redeem the righteous and assemble all of His weary and persecuted people from around the world. Thus, He says in Isaiah 35:4-6:

“Say to those who are fearful-hearted, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.’ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.”

These things are going to happen while He is regathering His people from the nations. Why are there streams in the wilderness? Because His people will need water when they are traveling the King’s Highway. Isaiah 35:8-10 describes the scene:

“A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; it shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk there, and the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

Treaties of peace come and go. The whims of humanity change as often as the seasons. The conditions under which peace treaties are signed change, thus man inevitably ends up in war with his neighbor. But the God of Israel is true, constant and eternal. It’s reassuring to know that, in this time of chaos and conflict, God really is in control and He keep His promise.

One of those promises is that He will rule and, thus, peace shall reign upon the earth. He promised that there will be a highway He has prepared for His people that they may go up to the mountain of the Lord. That’s a heartwarming thought to ponder as we face the harsh realities of this chaotic world. Be encouraged and be blessed.