letsloveothers

In the first installment of Egypt’s Exodus I put forth the idea: Chaos— confusion is the new normal. Learn to anticipate so you can adapt. Keep your eyes focused on the reward— Christ’s return and eternal reign.

This chaos— confusion I believe is a sign of the birth pains that Jesus said would precede His return. Jesus warns us in Matthew 24 and Mark 13 that devastation will envelope the earth before His return. War, famine, economic upheaval, plagues, natural disasters, and animal attacks will increase in frequency and intensity. Although there will be times of peace— rest, the time between catastrophic events will diminish over time.

Isaiah 19—a messianic chapter of Egypt’s birth pains prior to Christ’s return, outlines both Papa’s judgment and salvation of Egypt. Although a prophecy for the country of Egypt, it has prophetic implications for the entire world.

Today I’ll dissect verses 2, 3 and 11-17.

CIVIL UNREST

I will make Egyptian fight against Egyptian— brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, province against province. (Verse 2)

“Rising civil unrest is emerging as a key future risk factor, with riots, general strikes and anti-government demonstrations increasing substantially since 2011. At least 58% of GPI countries experienced violent protests in 2019, notably in Chile and Hong Kong, as citizens protested a range of issues including economic inequality, police brutality, political leadership and rising prices for key resources. This reflects a longer-term trend, with riots around the world increasing by 282% in the last decade, while general strikes are up by 821%” Global Peace Index: Global Peacefulness Falls With Sustained Rise in Civil Unrest in the Last Decade and Is Set to Worsen as Economic Impact of COVID-19 Takes Hold

Jesus in His Olivet Discourse warned the disciples that prior to His return, “Brother will betray brother to be put to death. Father will hand over his child. Children will rise up and take a stand against parents and have them put to death.

You will be hated by everyone because of your association with My name. But the one who patiently perseveres, empowered by the Holy Spirit and endures to the end. He will be saved.” Mark 13:12-13 

INEFFECTIVE, UNRIGHTEOUS PROBLEM SOLVING STRATIGIES

The Egyptians will lose heart, and I will confuse their plans.They will plead with their idols for wisdom and call on spirits, mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. (Verse 3)

What fools are the officials of Zoan! Their best counsel to the king of Egypt is stupid and wrong. Will they still boast to Pharaoh of their wisdom? Will they dare brag about all their wise ancestors?

Where are your wise counselors, Pharaoh? Let them tell you what God plans. What the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is going to do to Egypt.

The officials of Zoan are fools, and the officials of Memphis are deluded. The leaders of the people have led Egypt astray.

The Lord has sent a spirit of foolishness on them, so all their suggestions are wrong. They cause Egypt to stagger like a drunk in his vomit. There is nothing Egypt can do. All are helpless— the head and the tail, the noble palm branch and the lowly reed.

In that day the Egyptians will be as weak as women. They will cower in fear beneath the upraised fist of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Just to speak the name of Israel will terrorize them, for the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has laid out his plans against them.(Verses 11-17)

Many arrogantly believe human intellect alone is capable of solving the current problems that have reared their ugly heads. This arrogance fails to understand that for those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, which gratify the body. But those who are living according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit— His will and purpose.

Now the mind of the flesh is death, both now and forever because it pursues sin. But the mind of the Spirit is life and peace— the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God both now and forever. The mind of the flesh with its sinful pursuits is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot. Those who are in the flesh living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8

For this reason the wrath of God is breaking through from heaven. Opposing all manifestations of ungodliness and wickedness by the people who do wrong to keep God’s truth in check. These people are not ignorant about what can be known of God, because He has shown it to them with great clarity.

From the beginning, creation in its magnificence enlightens us to His nature. Creation itself makes His undying power and divine identity clear. Even though they are invisible. It voids the excuses and ignorant claims of these people. Despite the fact that they knew the one true God, they have failed to show the love, the honor, and appreciation due to the One who created them! Instead, their lives are consumed by vain thoughts that poison their foolish hearts.

They claim to be wise, but they have been exposed as fools, frauds and con artists. Only a fool would trade the splendor and beauty of the immortal God to worship images of the common man or woman, bird or reptile or the next beast that tromps along. So God gave them just what their lustful hearts desired. Romans 1:18-24

TO BE CONTINUED…