We know of God’s great covenant love for Israel. Because of his covenant he sticks with them when they are good and when they are awful. But few see the heart of the Lord for the rest of the nations around the Middle East.

This was pointed out in a video I saw recently (see below) and I really appreciated it. You see the Lord’s heart for all the nations even though they are not the covenant people of Israel.

He says this of Israel when they are sinning (Hos 11:8)

“How can I give you up, Ephraim?
    How can I hand you over, Israel?
How can I treat you like Admah?
    How can I make you like Zeboyim?
My heart is changed within me;
    all my compassion is aroused.

Even as Israel was sinning, there were nations around them that God expressed great compassion.

Jordan (Jer 48:36; 31:32)

“So my heart laments for Moab like the music of a pipe;
    it laments like a pipe for the people of Kir Hareseth.
    The wealth they acquired is gone.

Therefore I wail over Moab,
    for all Moab I cry out,
    I moan for the people of Kir Hareseth.

And then he promises mercy and restoration

“Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab
    in days to come,”
declares the Lord.

Damascus, Syria (Jer 49:25)

the city of renown…town in which I delight

Iran (Elam) (Jer 49:35,38,39)

This is what the Lord Almighty says:

“See, I will break the bow of Elam,
    the mainstay of their might.

He also says

I will set my throne in Elam

And then he promises restoration

“Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam
    in days to come,”
declares the Lord.

Gaza (Zech 9:7)

Those who are left will belong to our God

Egypt, Israel and Assyria (Is 19:23-25)

 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together.  In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.”

https://youtu.be/0tBHvb9XZzk?si=Cn6YNfGa7V8HlEKd