IslamDid you know that God has a burden for the different nations of the Middle East and for the sons of Ishmael?
Many times when God spoke through the Old Testament prophets to address an ancient people group, He began His address by using the word "oracle" in the NASB. This same word is translated "burden" in other versions of the Bible. God begins His prophetic statements by declaring that He has a burden for the different ethnic groups. His oracle includes both discipline and judgment as well as hope and restoration.
What stands out is that underlying the prophetic declarations is God's heart position of caring and lifting the burden for each ethnic group. Meaning God is actively carrying the weight of the burden of what each nation is doing and how they are doing it. He sees, cares and intervenes as He determines appropriate.
The following are examples of different nations in the Middle East that God's prophets address via an oracle. The prophetic words are the burden that God carries for each nation. Currently, these ancient nations are all under the bondage of Islam.
The oracle concerning Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw. — Isa 13:1
The oracle concerning Moab. — Isa 15:1
The oracle concerning Damascus. — Isa 17:1
The oracle concerning Egypt. — Isa 19:1
The oracle concerning the wilderness of the sea. — Isa 21:1
The oracle concerning Edom. — Isa 21:11
The oracle about Arabia. — Isa 21:13
The oracle concerning Tyre. — Isa 23:1
The oracle of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. — Nahum 1:1
The simple point is that God cares and carries the destinies of these nations in the Muslim world. He wants to share His burden with His people, the global Church. This means intentionally engaging in the Muslim world to stay updated, pray, give, go and much more. I believe God is both eager and longing to share His love and burden for the Muslim world. Will you ask the Lord to fellowship with His burden for the sons of Ishmael?