Envoys will come out of Egypt; Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God. Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; Oh, sing praises to the Lord, Selah. (Psalm 68:31-32)
Throughout its existence, Israel has always incurred the ire and contempt of the nations. Commonly viewed as weak and intolerable by societies who place a premium on cruelty and idolatry, God’s people have been vilified, mocked and oppressed through the ages. Some of history’s greatest and most influential kingdoms have either enslaved Israel outright or subjugated them to occupation and unjust policies. Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome are some of the more notable kingdoms that have played such a role but the list doesn’t end there. Even today, nations continue to disparage Israel and ignore the promises God has made to her.
That will change. Though godless nations plot and scheme to isolate and eliminate Israel, God purpose will not be outmatched by mortals nor will He abandon His purpose for those He has called. It is written that Zion will be a burdensome stone to those who would try and rid the world of it (Zechariah 12:3) and a cup of trembling to those who have afflicted God’s people (Isaiah 51:22-23). There is coming a day when Jerusalem will be a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62:7), when “The Lord is great in Zion, and He is high above all the peoples” (Psalm 99:2). In other words, when the Lord shows Himself mighty — so mighty that no one can deny it — those who looked down upon God’s people will have a dramatic change of heart; hence David’s words — “Envoys will come out of Egypt; Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God.”
When Pharaoh realized that Israel was being led deeper into the wilderness, he mistakenly concluded that the desert had shut them in. From his vantage point, Israel had plunged headlong into a dead end, and consequently, a death trap. What he didn’t know, however, was that it was he who was being out-maneuvered; he was the one being led into a death trap. The conclusion of the matter was that everyone, Hebrew and Egyptian, realized that the God of Israel is God! And so it will be at the end of the age; God will rise up and execute justice in the earth.
When He does, those who have ignored and mocked His sovereignty, oppressed His people and regarded themselves as masters, will receive their just reward. Then the kingdoms of the earth will sing a new song; they will sing praises unto the Lord and come worship Him “in the city of our God: God will establish it forever. Selah” (Psalm 48:8).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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