THE LORD WILL JUDGE A DISTANT LAND IN THE SOUTH ISAIAH 18:1-7

Transcription

1 1 THE LORD WILL JUDGE A DISTANT LAND IN THE SOUTH ISAIAH 18:1-7

2 2 Text: THE LORD WILL JUDGE A DISTANT LAND IN THE SOUTH Isaiah 18:1-7, 1. The land of buzzing wings is as good as dead, the one beyond the rivers of Cush, 2. that sends messengers by sea, who glide over the water s surface in boats made of papyrus. Go, you swift messengers, to a nation of tall, smooth-skinned people, to a people that are feared far and wide, to a nation strong and victorious, whose land rivers divide. 3. All you who live in the world, who reside on the earth, you will see a signal flag raised on the mountains; you will hear a trumpet being blown. 4. For this is what the Lord has told me: I will wait and watch from my place, like scorching heat produced by the sunlight, like a cloud of mist in the heat of harvest. 5. For before the harvest, when the bud has sprouted, and the ripening fruit appears, he will cut off the unproductive shoots with pruning knives; he will prune the tendrils. 6. They will all be left for the birds of the hills and the wild animals; the birds will eat them during the summer, and all the wild animals will eat them during the winter. 7. At that time tribute will be brought to the Lord who commands armies, by a people that are tall and smoothskinned, a people that are feared far and wide, a nation strong and victorious, whose land rivers divide. The tribute will be brought to the place where the Lord who

3 3 commands armies has chosen to reside, on Mount Zion. (NET) Introduction: I. Isaiah 18:1-7 is written in poetic form. II. Hamilton advised that Ethiopia controlled Egypt during the twenty-fifth (Nubian) Dynasty ( B.C.E.) A. Twice during this period, western states, including Egypt under the Ethiopian Shabaka and Judah under Hezekiah, plotted to rebel against Assyria. 1. First, in B.C.E., Philistia, Judah, Egypt, and other nations rebelled against Sargon II, but he suppressed their efforts by routing Ashdod. 2. Second, in B.C.E., Babylon, Judah, Egypt and other nations rebelled against Sennacherib. Sennacherib brought his Assyrian army to the west, overthrew Judah s forty-six fortified cities, and besieged Jerusalem. III. Smith wrote that two woes conclude the second major division of the Book of Burdens. Both oracles say essentially the same thing in different words. A. The first woe sets forth this principle: God would not permit his promise to his people to fail no matter what difficulties they might encounter.

4 4 B. The second woe was pronounced against those who might tempt God s people to depart from the path of faith. IV. Briley wrote that Isaiah now turns his attention to Cush and Egypt. A. Cush was located south of the fourth cataract of the Nile River, placing it adjacent to Egypt. B. Briley further wrote that the twenty-fifth dynasty of Egyptian rulers, beginning in or about 715 B.C., was Cushite, which likely explains why Isaiah links Cush and Egypt together here. C. Briley concluded that the specific backdrop for this passage is the reunification of upper and lower Egypt by the Cushite ruler Shabaka, after which he felt secure enough to promote rebellion against Sargon of Assyria. D. Briley noted that Isaiah 18 is closely linked with what follows. V. Coffman and many other commentators regard Isaiah 18 as the most difficult chapter encountered thus far and one of the most obscure prophecies in Isaiah. A. Coffman does not refer to this oracle regarding Cush as a burden because this prophecy is not spoken against Ethiopia, but about Ethiopia. B. Coffman viewed this chapter as an excellent example of the predictive nature of Isaiah s prophecy.

5 5 C. Isaiah 18, Coffman wrote, falls into two divisions on stanzas of three verses each followed by an epilogue of a single verse. VI. Clarke concurred with Coffman, et. al. when he wrote, this is one of the most obscure prophecies in the whole book of Isaiah. The subject of it, the end and design of it, the people to whom it is addressed, the history to which it belongs, the person who sends the messengers, and the nation to whom the messengers are sent, are all obscure and doubtful. VII. Amid the general excitement caused by the advance of Assyria, Ethiopia... sends messengers in boats to summon his troops to his standard. (The Pulpit Commentary) A. While the world awaits this military collision with fear, God calmly waits until the time is right for him to act. B. God at the opportune time resolves the matter. C. Ethiopia sends, as an act of homage and gratitude, an offering to God to Mount Zion. D. The Pulpit Commentary further states, The time seems to be immediately preceding the great invasion of Sennacherib (about 700 B.C.), when Shabatok the Ethiopian was king of Egypt, and Tirhakah (Tahark) either Crown Prince under him, or more probably Lord Paramount of Egypt over him, and reigning at Napata.

6 6 Commentary: Isaiah 18:1, The land of buzzing wings is as good as dead, the one beyond the rivers of Cush, (NET) I. The land of buzzing wings if as good as dead,* the one beyond the rivers of Cush,**... A. *NET Footnote: Hebrew Woe [to] the land of buzzing wings; the meaning of the phrase buzzing wings is uncertain. 1. Clarke wrote that this may refer to the sistrym, a musical instrument used by the Cushites or to his papymus boats and sails. 2. The buzzing wings could refer to the vast Ethiopian army. a. Isaiah 7:18, At that time the Lord will whistle for flies from the distant streams of Egypt and for bees from the land of Assyria. (NET) B. NET Footnote: Here Cush refers to the region of the upper Nile south of Egypt, an area once known as Nubia. C. Cush was the land south of Egypt, also called Nubia, which includes part of Sudan. Cush began just beyond Syene, (modern Aswan. The people were tall with smooth skin. The prophet predicated that the distant land of Cush would be judged by God. At other times, some of Cush will

7 7 bring gifts to God and worship Him as their king. (Nelson s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary) 1. Ezekiel 29:10, I am against you and your waterways. I will turn the land of Egypt into an utter desolate ruin from Migdol to Syene, as far as the border with Ethiopia. (NET) 2. Esther 1:1, The following events happened in the days of Ahasuerus. (I am referring to that Ahasuerus who used to rule over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces extending all the way from India to Ethiopia.) (NET) 3. Esther 8:9, The king s scribes were quickly summoned in the third month (that is, the month of Sivan), on the twenty-third day. They wrote out everything that Mordecai instructed to the Jews and to the satraps and the governors and the officials of the provinces all the way from India to Ethiopia a hundred and twentyseven provinces in all to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, and to the Jews according to their own script and their own language. (NET) 4. Job 28:19, The topaz of Cush cannot be compared with it; it cannot be purchased with pure gold. (NET) 5. Zephaniah 2:12, You Ethiopians will also die by my sword! (NET)

8 Psalm 68:31, They come with red cloth from Egypt, Ethiopia voluntarily offers tribute to God. (NET) 7. 2 Chronicles 12:2-3, Because they were unfaithful to the Lord, in King Rehoboam s fifth year, King Shishak of Egypt attacked Jerusalem. He had 1,200 chariots, 60,000 horsemen, and an innumerable number of soldiers who accompanied him from Egypt, including Libyans, Sukkites, and Cushites. (NET) 8. 2 Chronicles 14:9-15, Zerah the Cushite marched against them with an army of 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots. He arrived at Mareshah, and Asa went out to oppose him. They deployed for battle in the Valley of Zephathah near Mareshah. Asa prayed to the Lord his God: O Lord, there is no one but you who can help the weak when they are vastly outnumbered. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you and have marched on your behalf against this huge army. O Lord our God, don t let men prevail against you! The Lord struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah. The Cushites fled, and Asa and his army chased them as far as Gerar. The Cushites were wiped out; they were shattered before the Lord and his army. The men of Judah carried off a huge amount of plunder. They defeated all the cities surrounding Gerar, for the Lord caused them to panic. The men of Judah

9 9 looted all the cities, for they contained a huge amount of goods. They also attacked the tents of the herdsmen in charge of the livestock. They carried off many sheep and camels and then returned to Jerusalem. (NET) 9. Isaiah 37:9, The king heard that King Tirhakah of Ethiopia was marching out to fight him. He again sent messengers to Hezekiah, ordering them: (NET) D. Hailey dates the events of this chapter to the period of the Assyrian threat to Judah ( B.C.). E. Hailey explained that The land of buzzing wings means Cush was a land filled with insects. 1. This expression may symbolize the huge army that Cush could mobilize, Hailey wrote. 2. Briley noted the uncertainty of the meaning of this expression and observed it could refer to literal insects, or the Cushite army and their boats. F. Hailey further wrote, The rivers are no doubt the White and Blue Niles with their tributaries. G. This Woe is to befall the people who live along the rivers of Cush in the upper Nile River, Briley wrote. 1. Woe as used in the AKJV is better translated He and should be a word meaning Attention, Listen

10 10 rather than a word indicating impending doom. (See Clarke.) a. Isaiah 17:12, The many nations massing together are as good as dead, those who make a commotion as loud as the roaring of the sea s waves. The people making such an uproar are as good as dead, those who make an uproar as loud as the roaring of powerful waves. (NET) Isaiah 18:2, that sends messengers by sea, who glide over the water s surface in boats made of papyrus. Go, you swift messengers, to a nation of tall, smooth-skinned people, to a people that are feared far and wide, to a nation strong and victorious, whose land rivers divide. (NET) I. that sends messengers by sea, who glide over the water s surface in boats made of papyrus. A. Hamilton suggested that these messengers were apparently sent to negotiate an alliance with Judah (and perhaps other nations) to rebel against Assyria. 1. Clarke equated bulrushes with papyrus plants. 2. Isaiah 57:9, You take olive oil as tribute to your king, along with many perfumes. You send your messengers to a distant place; you go all the way to Sheol. (NET)

11 Proverbs 25:13, Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the heart of his masters. (NET) B. Papyrus is a tall aquatic plant of southern Europe and northern Africa, especially of the Nile River valley. This plant is now unknown in its wild state in Egypt; but it still grows plentifully in the Sudan. Extensive growths of Papyrus may also be found in the mashes of the northern end of Lake Huleh in Palestine. The roots are used as firewood but also for making various utensils and vessels. Indeed the papyrus itself is woven to make boats, and the inner bark is woven into sailcloth and matting, and also cloth, as well as blankets and ropes. Apparently the ark of bulrushes in which Moses was hidden by his mother was woven from Papyrus plants. The Egyptians made blankets, boats, shoes, and other articles from Papyrus. A paper was made from the pith, or the stems, of the papyrus. (Nelson s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary) Hailey stated that boats made of papyrus were light craft suitable for rivers and canals, not for large bodies of water. 1. The Nile River is referenced as a sea by Nahum and Isaiah. (Coffman) a. Nahum 3:8, You are no more secure than Thebes she was located on the banks of the Nile; the waters surrounded her, her rampart was the sea, the water was her wall. (NET)

12 12 b. Isaiah 19:5, The water of the sea will be dried up, and the river will dry up and be empty. (NET) C. To whom were these messengers sent? What message did they bring? Hailey quotes various commentators who proposed that: 1. The messengers were sent to Jerusalem to incite outright revolt against Assyria. a. Smith wrote, Envoys from distant Ethiopia arrived in Jerusalem intent on inciting Judah to join some alliance against Assyria. 2. The messengers were sent to incite the Assyrians against Judah. a. 2 Kings 19:9, The king heard that King Tirhakah of Ethiopia was marching out to fight him. He again sent messengers to Hezekiah, ordering them: (NET) 3. The messengers were sent by the king of Cush to his own tribes, preparing them to resist an invasion by the Assyrians. D. Isaiah 18 is best dated to 714 B.C. The Northern kingdom fell in 722 B.C. and Cush was seeking Hezekiah s help in opposing Assyria. (Coffman) 1. Isaiah was opposed to any such foreign alliance.

13 13 II. Go, you swift messengers, to a nation of tall, smooth-skinned people, to a people that are feared far and wide, to a nation strong and victorious,* whose land rivers divide. A. NET Footnote: The meaning of the terms strong and victorious is uncertain. B. Isaiah proclaimed God s word that these messengers should go back home and leave Judah alone. C. Hailey wrote, The prophet tells the messengers to return to their own tall, smooth people, whose history from 1,000 B.C. to 663 B.C. was one of successful warfare with Egypt. For some five centuries Ethiopia had been ruled by Egypt, but from 1,000 B.C. she had maintained independence and for some time had ruled Egypt. 1. Smith wrote, Isaiah rebuked them and sent them home to proclaim what Yahweh would do without any help from the heathen. D. The rivers of Cush washed silk northward to Egypt enriching Egypt and depleting the richness of the sail in Cush. (See Hailey.) 1. Briley wrote that these rivers refer to the Nile and its tributaries. E. The Israelites first knew the Ethiopians as soldiers when they formed a part of the army brought by Shishak against Rehoboam in about B.C (The Pulpit Commentary)

14 Chronicles 12:3, He had 1,200 chariots, 60,000 horsemen, and an innumerable number of soldiers who accompanied him from Egypt, including Libyans, Sukkites, and Cushites. (NET) 2. 2 Chronicles 14:9-13, Zerah the Cushite marched against them with an army of 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots. He arrived at Mareshah, and Asa went out to oppose him. They deployed for battle in the Valley of Zephathah near Mareshah. Asa prayed to the Lord his God: O Lord, there is no one but you who can help the weak when they are vastly outnumbered. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you and have marched on your behalf against this huge army. O Lord our God, don t let men prevail against you! The Lord struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah. The Cushites fled, and Asa and his army chased them as far as Gerar. The Cushites were wiped out; they were shattered before the Lord and his army. The men of Judah carried off a huge amount of plunder. (NET) 3. In time Cush ruled Egypt for a period of time. Isaiah 18:3, All you who live in the world, who reside on the earth, you will see a signal flag raised on the mountains; you will hear a trumpet being blown. (NET) I. All you who live in the world, who reside on the earth, you will see a signal flag raised on the mountains;

15 15 A. All the nations of the world should watch for Yahweh s banner, God being the agent in this verse. 1. An impending event of great importance is soon to appear originating from God. (See Hailey.) 2. The signal flag, standard or ensign was more like a sign, not made of cloth as our flags are. a. Isaiah 5:26, He lifts a signal flag for a distant nation, he whistles for it to come from the far regions of the earth. Look, they come quickly and swiftly. (NET) b. Isaiah 11:10, At that time a root from Jesse will stand like a signal flag for the nations. Nations will look to him for guidance, and his residence will be majestic. (NET) c. Isaiah 13:2, On a bare hill raise a signal flag, shout to them, wave your hand, so they might enter the gates of the princes! (NET) 3. All the people of the world are addressed here. II. you will hear a trumpet being blown. A.... and listen for the sound of the Lord s trumpet as signals to overthrow the Assyrians by the Lord s power.

16 Isaiah 11:10, 12, At that time a root from Jesse will stand like a signal flag for the nations. Nations will look to him for guidance, and his residence will be majestic. He will lift a signal flag for the nations; he will gather Israel s dispersed people and assemble Judah s scattered people from the four corners of the earth. (NET) B. Hailey wrote, God s action will serve as a rallying point for those who worship Him and a warning of judgment for those who not. C. To God s announcement, the world had better listen. D. Related scriptures: Isaiah 10:16-17, For this reason the sovereign master, the Lord who commands armies, will make his healthy ones emaciated. His majestic glory will go up in smoke. The Light of Israel will become a fire, their Holy One will become a flame; it will burn and consume the Assyrian king s briers and his thorns in one day. (NET) 2. Isaiah 29:6, Judgment will come from the Lord who commands armies, accompanied by thunder, earthquake, and a loud noise, by a strong gale, a windstorm, and a consuming flame of fire. (NET)

17 Isaiah 30:30-31, The Lord will give a mighty shout and intervene in power, with furious anger and flaming, destructive fire, with a driving rainstorm and hailstones. Indeed, the Lord s shout will shatter Assyria; he will beat them with a club. (NET) 4. Psalm 75:1-10, We give thanks to you, O God! We give thanks! You reveal your presence; people tell about your amazing deeds. God says, At the appointed times, I judge fairly. When the earth and all its inhabitants dissolve in fear, I make its pillars secure. (Selah) I say to the proud, Do not be proud, and to the wicked, Do not be so confident of victory! Do not be so certain you have won! Do not speak with your head held so high! For victory does not come from the east or west, or from the wilderness. For God is the judge! He brings one down and exalts another. For the Lord holds in his hand a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices, and pours it out. Surely all the wicked of the earth will slurp it up and drink it to its very last drop. As for me, I will continually tell what you have done; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob! God says, I will bring down all the power of the wicked; the godly will be victorious. (NET) 5. 2 Kings 19:20-34, Isaiah son of Amoz sent this message to Hezekiah: This is what the Lord God of Israel says: I have heard your prayer concerning King Sennacherib of Assyria. This is

18 18 what the Lord says about him: The virgin daughter Zion despises you, she makes fun of you; Daughter Jerusalem shakes her head after you. Whom have you taunted and hurled insults at? At whom have you shouted, and looked so arrogantly? At the Holy One of Israel! Through your messengers you taunted the sovereign master, With my many chariots I climbed up the high mountains, the slopes of Lebanon. I cut down its tall cedars, and its best evergreens. I invaded its most remote regions, its thickest woods. I dug wells and drank water in foreign lands. With the soles of my feet I dried up all the rivers of Egypt. Certainly you must have heard! Long ago I worked it out, In ancient times I planned it; and now I am bringing it to pass. The plan is this: Fortified cities will crash into heaps of ruins. Their residents are powerless, they are terrified and ashamed. They are as short-lived as plants in the field, or green vegetation. They are as short-lived as grass on the rooftops when it is scorched by the east wind. I know where you live, and everything you do. Because you rage against me, and the uproar you create has reached my ears; I will put my hook in your nose, and my bridle between your lips, and I will lead you back the way you came. This will be your confirmation that I have spoken the truth: This year you will eat what grows wild, and next year what grows on its own from that. But in the third year you will plant seed and harvest crops; you will plant vines and consume their produce.

19 19 Those who remain in Judah will take root in the ground and bear fruit. For a remnant will leave Jerusalem; survivors will come out of Mount Zion. The intense devotion of the sovereign Lord to his people will accomplish this. So this is what the Lord says about the king of Assyria: He will not enter this city, nor will he shoot an arrow here. He will not attack it with his shieldcarrying warriors, nor will he build siege works against it. He will go back the way he came. He will not enter this city, says the Lord. I will shield this city and rescue it for the sake of my reputation and because of my promise to David my servant. (NET) Isaiah 18:4, For this is what the Lord has told me: I will wait and watch from my place, like scorching heat produced by the sunlight, like a cloud of mist in the heat of harvest. (NET) I. For this is what the Lord has told me:... A. Isaiah truthfully delivered with a caring attitude the word, message God committed to him. 1. So it is to be with all of today s ministers of the gospel! B. Clarke wrote that the remainder of the chapter assures God s faithful people that he will provide comfort and support in their times of trouble and distress, that their enemies would be defeated.

20 As a result of Egypt s, Cush s delivery from the Assyrians by the recognized hand of God, they would bring a tribute, offering to God in Jerusalem. Reference verse seven here. (See Clarke.) II. I will wait and watch from my place, like scorching heat produced by the sunlight, like a cloud of mist in the heat of harvest. A. Until the time was right God would watch. Judah was to do likewise; that is, patiently wait. (See Hamilton.) B. Hailey wrote, In the midst of world foment and upheaval, Jehovah speaks through the prophet, declaring his calm control of world affairs. God is intently interested in the affairs of mankind. C. Coffman wrote, The meaning is clear. God does not need any allies, nor does he need anyone to tell him what the dangers are; he is watching everything very carefully from his dwelling place on High. God never needs to get in a hurry. 1. Isaiah 14:25, I will break Assyria in my land, I will trample them underfoot on my hills. Their yoke will be removed from my people, the burden will be lifted from their shoulders. (NET)

21 21 D. While men are rushing around, nervous and fretful, God is calm and tranquil, in complete control. (See The Pulpit Commentary.) Isaiah 18:5, For before the harvest, when the bud has sprouted, and the ripening fruit appears, he will cut off the unproductive shoots with pruning knives; he will prune the tendrils. (NET) I. For before the harvest, when the bud has sprouted, and the ripening fruit appears, he will cut off the unproductive shoots with pruning knives; he will prune the tendrils. A. At the right time Yahweh would defeat the Assyrians, render judgment. 1. Isaiah 10:33-34, Look, the sovereign master, the Lord who commands armies, is ready to cut off the branches with terrifying power. The tallest trees will be cut down, the loftiest ones will be brought low. The thickets of the forest will be chopped down with an ax, and mighty Lebanon will fall. (NET) B. Hailey further wrote, Before the Assyrians have garnered the harvest of their invasion or gathered together the booty of their conquest, however, Jehovah will act. When the time is right, Jehovah will completely destroy the enemy that threatens the world. 1. This is illustrated with a reference to vines and vineyards.

22 Genesis 40:10, On the vine there were three branches. As it budded, its blossoms opened and its clusters ripened into grapes. (NET) C. Smith further wrote, When the time was ripe, God would prune back the strength of Assyria. 1. Smith wrote that this relates to God s destruction of the Assyrian army in 701 B.C. 2. Coffman wrote that verse 5 expressed in figurative language what verse 4 said in literal language. Isaiah 18:6, They will all be left for the birds of the hills and the wild animals; the birds will eat them during the summer, and all the wild animals will eat them during the winter. (NET) I. They will all be left for the birds of the hills and the wild animals; the birds will eat them during the summer, and all the wild animals will eat them during the winter. A. The defeat of the Assyrians will be so complete the carcasses of the dead soldiers will be food for the ravenous birds of the mountains, and the beasts of the earth. (Hailey) 1. This huge carnage would last a long time, through summer and winter, enough to feed both ravenous birds and wild beasts.

23 23 B. Briley observed this harvest is not for human consumption, but rather for the birds of prey and wild animals. 1. Ezekiel 39:17-20, As for you, son of man, this is what the sovereign Lord says: Tell every kind of bird and every wild beast: Assemble and come! Gather from all around to my slaughter which I am going to make for you, a great slaughter on the mountains of Israel! You will eat flesh and drink blood. You will eat the flesh of warriors and drink the blood of the princes of the earth the rams, lambs, goats, and bulls, all of them fattened animals of Bashan. You will eat fat until you are full, and drink blood until you are drunk, at my slaughter which I have made for you. You will fill up at my table with horses and charioteers, with warriors and all the soldiers, declares the sovereign Lord. (NET) 2. Revelation 19:17-21, Then I saw one angel standing in the sun, and he shouted in a loud voice to all the birds flying high in the sky: Come, gather around for the great banquet of God, to eat your fill of the flesh of kings, the flesh of generals, the flesh of powerful people, the flesh of horses and those who ride them, and the flesh of all people, both free and slave, and small and great! Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to do battle with the one who rode the horse and with his army. Now the beast was seized, and

24 24 along with him the false prophet who had performed the signs on his behalf signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire burning with sulfur. The others were killed by the sword that extended from the mouth of the one who rode the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves with their flesh. (NET) C. Coffman wrote quoting The Pulpit Commentary, At length the imagery is dropped. The vine is shown to be an army, slaughtered all together, and left a prey to kites and vultures, and to jackals and hyenas. D. Coffman advised that the defeat of Sennacherib s army: would take place in a single night. a. Isaiah 17:14, In the evening there is sudden terror; by morning they vanish. This is the fate of those who try to plunder us, the destiny of those who try to loot us! (NET) 2. the whole army would be slaughtered all at once. 3. the dead would remain unburied. 4. the bodies would provide food for ravenous birds.

25 the bodies would be so numerous that they would supply food for wild animals through the winter Kings 19:34-37, I will shield this city and rescue it for the sake of my reputation and because of my promise to David my servant. That very night the Lord s messenger went out and killed 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp. When they got up early the next morning, there were all the corpses. So King Sennacherib of Assyria broke camp and went on his way. He went home and stayed in Nineveh. One day, as he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword. They escaped to the land of Ararat; his son Esarhaddon replaced him as king. (NET) Isaiah 18:7, At that time tribute will be brought to the Lord who commands armies, by a people that are tall and smooth-skinned, a people that are feared far and wide, a nation strong and victorious, whose land rivers divide. The tribute will be brought to the place where the Lord who commands armies has chosen to reside, on Mount Zion. (NET) I. At that time tribute will be brought to the Lord who commands armies, by a people that are tall and smooth-skinned, a people that are feared far and wide, a nation strong and victorious, whose land rivers divine.

26 26 A. Hamilton wrote that Yahweh s victory over the Assyrians will convince the Ethiopians that Yahweh alone is God, and they will bring gifts to Mount Zion, showing homage, submission, and reverence for the Lord of hosts. 1. Isaiah 45:14, 23, This is what the Lord says: The profit of Egypt and the revenue of Ethiopia, along with the Sabeans, those tall men, will be brought to you and become yours. They will walk behind you, coming along in chains. They will bow down to you and pray to you: Truly God is with you; he has no peer; there is no other God! I solemnly make this oath what I say is true and reliable: Surely every knee will bow to me, every tongue will solemnly affirm; (NET) 2. 2 Chronicles 32:23, Many were bringing presents to the Lord in Jerusalem and precious gifts to King Hezekiah of Judah. From that time on he was respected by all the nations. (NET) B. The Ethiopians (Cushites) would be so awed by the mighty power of Jehovah that they would send him tribute, a present. (Hailey) 1. Psalm 68:31, They come with red cloth from Egypt, Ethiopia voluntarily offers tribute to God. (NET) 2. Zephaniah 3:10, From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, those who pray to me will bring me tribute. (NET)

27 27 C. The beginning verses of this chapter have Cushite ambassadors coming to Jerusalem seeking Judah s help against Assyria. 1. God defeated the Assyrians with the use of the Babylonians. 2. The Cushites saw the hand of God in the Assyrian defeat and returned to Jerusalem bearing gifts for the Lord. II. The tribute will be brought to the place where the Lord who commands armies has chosen to reside, on Mount Zion. A. Cush sent its tribute to Mount Zion, Jerusalem, God s chosen place of residence. B. The second woe concludes with a picture of the conversion of the Ethiopians, Smith wrote. 1. This, Smith concluded, may refer to the conversion of Ethiopia to Christianity in the early days of the church. a. Hebrews 12:22, But you have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the assembly (NET) C. Coffman wrote, In all probability, what is prophesied here is the conversion of many Ethiopians in the Messianic

28 28 era, as frequently prophesied, not only here, but throughout the Bible. 1. Isaiah 2:3, many peoples will come and say, Come, let us go up to the Lord s mountain, to the temple of the God of Jacob, so he can teach us his requirements, and we can follow his standards. For Zion will be the center for moral instruction; the Lord will issue edicts from Jerusalem. (NET) 2. Isaiah 11:10, At that time a root from Jesse will stand like a signal flag for the nations. Nations will look to him for guidance, and his residence will be majestic. (NET) 3. Psalm 68:31, They come with red cloth from Egypt, Ethiopia voluntarily offers tribute to God. (NET) 4. Psalm 87:4, I mention Rahab and Babylon to my followers. Here are Philistia and Tyre, along with Ethiopia. It is said of them, This one was born there. (NET) 5. Romans 15:16, to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. I serve the gospel of God like a priest, so that the Gentiles may become an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (NET)

29 29 Conclusion: I. The conclusion of the matter is that God is in control of the affairs of men and nations. A. Cush, Ethiopia could seek alliances in their efforts to protect themselves from the Assyrians, but, in due time, God would act to resolve the situation in keeping with his will. B. When the Assyrian threat had been resolved, the Cushites realized God had intervened and restored peace to their nation. 1. In response to God s goodness, the Cushites sent a tribute, thank offering, contribution to God for his goodness. II. Today, as in ancient times, we must have faith and trust in God to work everything out for the good of his faithful people. A. We certainly cannot save ourselves. B. Of course, the Lord helps those who help themselves. He doesn t expect us to sit around and do nothing. C. Let us live as Jesus lived. God will do the rest!

30 30 Questions on Isaiah 18: Identify and locate Ethiopia/Cush as referenced in Isaiah 18: Describe Cush s relationship with Egypt. 3. Describe the military, political and historical situation facing the Middle East as addressed in Isaiah 18: What two woes conclude the second major division of the Book of Burdens?

31 What is the meaning of Woe as used in the AKJV in Isaiah 18:1? 6. How does Coffman outline Isaiah 18:1-7, The land of buzzing wings is as good as dead, the one beyond the rivers of Cush, that sends messengers by sea, who glide over the water s surface in boats made of papyrus. Go, you swift messengers, to a nation of tall, smooth-skinned people, to a people that are feared far and wide, to a nation strong and victorious, whose land rivers divide. All you who live in the world, who reside on the earth, you will see a signal flag raised on the mountains; you will hear a trumpet being blown. For this is what the Lord has told me: I will wait and watch from my place, like scorching heat produced by the sunlight, like a cloud of mist in the heat of harvest. For before the harvest, when the bud has sprouted, and the ripening fruit appears, he will cut off the unproductive shoots with pruning knives; he will prune the tendrils. They will all be left for the birds of the hills and the wild animals; the birds will eat them during the summer, and all the wild animals will eat them

32 32 during the winter. At that time tribute will be brought to the Lord who commands armies, by a people that are tall and smooth-skinned, a people that are feared far and wide, a nation strong and victorious, whose land rivers divide. The tribute will be brought to the place where the Lord who commands armies has chosen to reside, on Mount Zion. (NET) 7. Why is Isaiah 18:1-7 difficult to understand? 8. Contrast the reaction, approach of Cush and the Lord to the threat posed by Assyria. 9. What did the Cushites do when the Assyrian threat had been resolved? Why did they do that?

33 Describe the boats used by the Cushites? Were they seaworthy? Of what material was the basket in which Jochabed placed Moses made? 11. To what does the phrase buzzing wings refer? 12. Locate Nubia. By what other names is it known? 13. Locate upper Nile and lower Nile.

34 Describe the people who lived in Cush. 15. When did the events of Isaiah 18:1-7 occur? 16. Identify the rivers of Cush. 17. To whom were messengers sent? What message were they to deliver?

35 What events led to Cush being feared far and wide, a nation strong and victorious? 19. What was Isaiah s position in regard to foreign alliances? Was Isaiah right with God in holding this position? 20. What was Judah s first military encounter with Cush? 21. Whose signal flag is referenced in Isaiah 18:3? Describe the signal flags of that era. Whose signal flag will be displayed and whose trumpet will be blown?

36 Why was the signal flag displayed and the trumpet blown? 23. delivered with a the, to him. 24. Clarke wrote that the remainder of the chapter assures s that he will provide and in their of and and that their would be. 25. How important is timing as addressed in Isaiah 18:4? 26. What illustration is used in verse 5? What is the purpose of this illustration?

37 Give as much information as you can about the defeat of Sennacherib s army. 28. What will happen to the dead Assyrian soldiers as stated in Isaiah 18:6? 29. Why did the Cushites send a tribute to God at Mt. Zion? 30. What lessons are there in all of this for us?