As reported a few days ago, wherever Israelis are, conflict seems to follow!  Prior to the Opening Ceremony of the Rio Olympics, a Lebanese team leader refused to allow the Israeli delegation on their assigned bus, scheduled to take them to the stadium.

Yesterday, an Egyptian judoka refused to shake the hand of his Israeli opponent after defeat in a judo match, and was called back to the mat by the referee to make the obligatory bow to his opponent, which is a compulsory show of respect in the judo world.

Though Egypt is one of Israel’s friendlier neighbors, it is clear that goodwill does not exist universally between citizens of the two nations.  I am reminded, however, of the incredible prophecy of Isaiah 19 that promises a coming day when, after the Lord deals with Egypt (verses 1-17), He will cause Egypt to “speak the language of Canaan and swear allegiance to the Lord of hosts.”  They will build an altar to the Lord and will be healed by Him. Then, there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria (verse 23), and Egypt, Assyria and Israel will all be blessed together!

In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the Lord of hosts has blessed, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.”
~Isaiah 19:24-25

We’re not there yet, and that event is not among the earliest end times prophecies, but that glorious day will come!

Shabbat Shalom, my friends!