Isaiah 18
http://thebibleforstudents.com/study_notes/Isaiah_Lesson-11-(C1
8-20).html
\\#18:1-2\\ States that Ethiopia sent messengers but does not make
it clear to where or for what purpose. The above source indicates
there was a history of both war and alliance with Ethiopia and
Egypt. As Egypt is the next topic (Isaiah 19), perhaps this is a
historical reference to a the two trying to form an alliance to
withstand Assyria. If so, the alliance did not work for Egypt was
sacked by Egypt in 663 BC and conquered in 680 BC.
That this chapter deals with Ethiopia and Egypt makes some sense
since vessels of bulrushes \\#Is 18:2\\ and rivers, both which are
associated with Egypt, are mentioned \\#18:1,2,7\\.
\\#Is 18:3-6\\ The remainder of the chapter would seem to deal with
judgments against Ethiopia, probably fulfilled by the Assyrians.
The judgment of Egypt is recorded in the next chapter, Yet it is
impossible to rule out the possibility that these prophecies have
future fulfillments, especially when looking at verse 7 of this
chapter and reading chapter 19.
\\#18:7\\ This last verse says a gift will be brought to the Lord,
presumably from the Ethiopians. This may have been fulfilled in
\\#Acts 8:27\\, although that would seem to be more of a personal
worship among the Ethiopians and not a national one. Even so, there
could be a larger fulfillment since this people is mentioned often
in end time affairs.
I. (1-39) Condemnation
A. Chapters 1-12 - Prophecies against Judah
B. Chapters 13-23 - Prophecies against the Nations
1. \\#13:1-14:32\\ Babylon
2. \\#15:1-16:14\\ Moab
3. \\#17:1-14\\ Syria and Israel (northern kingdom)
4. \\#18:1-7\\ Unknown - This chapter is very confusing, speaking
of at least two locations which are not clearly identified and
events which do not seem to be easily understood. There is
little doubt that the Lord left this chapter so on purpose and
much of it will have to wait to be known.
a. \\#1-2\\ The Vague Clues (about the nations spoken of)
(1) It is called a "land shadowing with wings"
(a) The term shadowing means "whirling or buzzing," perhaps a
reference to land with an abundance of birds. One writer
wrote that Ethiopia itself is known as a land of birds, making
him think the country spoken of is Ethiopia (Through the
Bible, Vol 22).
(b) Looking at a map of the continent with some geographical
features, I noticed that the mountains running across
Ethiopia look something like wings.
(c) An additional indication that this land may be Ethiopia is its
mention in \\#20:3-5\\. There Ethiopia is mentioned along
with Egypt, indicting that both countries have made some kind
of league with Israel to help protect her.
(2) It is also called a land "beyond the rivers of Ethiopia."
(a) Ethiopia is in Africa and occupies the same basic land it did
in Bible times.
(b) There are several rivers in Ethiopia but none which caught the
eye as being well known or important.
(c) As far as the land "beyond" the rivers of Ethiopia, the country
is nearly bordered by the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean on two
sides. There are several third world countries south of
Ethiopia such as the Congo, Kenya, Angola, and South Africa,
but exactly which area being referred to is a mystery.
(3) This land either has or will send ambassadors by the sea. However,
the real purpose of the messengers going is not revealed. Perhaps
it is simply an envoy of peace? One nation reconciling with
Israel?
(4) Because of the afore mentioned clues, some think the land IS
Ethiopia. That is as good a guess as any, but it remains a guess.
b. \\#2\\ The Confusing Clues
(1) Their ships will be made of "bulrushes" or papyrus.
(a) Papyrus is a plant from which the ancients made paper. From
what I can see, it is a flimsy bush which does not seem
suitable for boat building.
(b) Perhaps this is an indication the journey will not be long.
(2) The destination of the ambassadors:
(a) "a nation scattered and peeled" - It sounds like a nation which
has been thoroughly judged. Some would guess it is Israel.
(b) "a nation with a "people terrible from the beginning" - Israel
could also be the people which have been powerful (terrible)
from the beginning, trodden down, and spoiled. Other nations
might be Babylon or Egypt. Perhaps there would be one or two
more nations.
(3) However…
(a) \\#2\\ says the land they are going to has been spoiled by
"rivers." Israel is primarily a dry, arid land with few
rivers and none of them large enough to spoil the land (unless
a drought of the river causes the spoilage).
(b) It is interesting that the land the ambassadors were sent from
was a land beyond the rivers (same word).
(c) Are the spoiling rivers symbolic or literal? If literal, how
and when do rivers spoil any nation, let alone Israel?
(4) The general picture here is that messengers are being sent from one
uncertain place to another uncertain place. God is, no doubt,
making the passage vague deliberately.
c. \\#3-7\\ The Uncertain Clues
(1) \\#3\\ The Announcer
(a) Seems to indicate that One will speak to the entire earth.
(b) From \\#4\\, that One would seem to be the Lord.
(C) It also seems that this One is making a claim to the earth by
planting His ensign (banner) and sounding trumpets for an
announcement.
(2) \\#4-5\\ The Announcement
(a) \\#4\\ The announcement seems to be that the Lord is taking
His rest.
i. This logically occurs when God is finished with something.
ii. \\#Heb 4:1-10\\ describes the rest God has had since He
finished creation.
iii. Of course, God has commenced other works since then (i.e.
the work of redemption was finished when Jesus died on the
cross).
iv. This passage may speak of the rest God will take when He
has finished reclaiming Israel at the end of the
millennium.
(b) As neither this (or anything like it) has not happened in the
past, it provides an argument that this entire passage is
future.
(c) \\#4\\ God speaks of resting "in my dwelling place."
i. "my dwelling place" - This is probably not a reference to
heaven but rather Israel, for the Lord is said to be on
"Mount Zion" \\#7\\.
ii. The rest is described as refreshing - "a cloud of dew in
the heat of harvest" That is actually a picture one can
comprehend.
iii. The rest is also described as "a clear heat upon herbs."
aa. The word "herbs" is translated "sun" 114 other times in
the King James Bible.
bb. Most assume the phrase means the refreshing warmth of
a new day.
(3) \\#5\\ The Harvest
(a) \\#5\\ "For afore the harvest" - What is the harvest?
i. The Harvest has not been mentioned before unless it is
another name for the rest.
ii. It could be the rest but I don’t think so.
(b) Yet, a harvest is described in that "the bud is perfect"
and "the… grape is ripening in the flower."
i. Could these be clues to just indicate that the time is
right?
(4) \\#5\\ The Judgment
(a) Whatever the harvest is, BEFORE IT comes a judgment comes. God
will "cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks and take away and
cut down the branches."
(b) Although vague, this sounds like a judgment, perhaps the
tribulation.
(5) \\#5-6\\ The Gathering
(a) There seems to be a gathering of the fowls and beasts together
to "sun" or enjoy the summer and winter together.
(b) There is no reference here of war or violence of any kind, In
fact. the picture seems the opposite, sounding more like a time
of peace.
i. But my mind still thinks of the animals feasting on the
bodies of the slain army as in
\\#Eze 39:17-20, Rev 19:17-18\\.
ii. There is no Scriptural reason to tie the two events
together, just the collective presence of the animals
conjures up that image.
(6) \\#7\\ The Gift
(a) "In that time…" After the cutting off of the sprigs and after
God has begun to take His rest. Surely, this is end time.
(b) "…shall the present be brought unto the Lord…" - God is to
receive a prized gift.
(c) "…to the place of the name of the Lord of hosts, the Mount
Zion." - The gift seems to be delivered to the Lord in Mount
Zion, further indication that this passage has endtime
connotations (i.e. millennium).
(d) "…of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people…" -
i. If the gift IS a people scattered and peeled, it would seem
to be Israel being brought home to their land and to the
Lord.
ii. However, we "thought" all of these terms were describing
one nation of people \\#2\\. If so, the gift is described
as being both OF and FROM the same people.
aa. This could be true in that Israel is both the gift
and they determine to give themselves to the Lord.
bb. Some believe the gift may not BE a people but be FROM
the people that the messengers are being sent to.
cc. If that people is Israel, what gift are they giving to
the Lord?
dd If that people is not Israel, what people might God be
speaking to the Lord, encouraging to give Him a gift?
ee. For that matter, what gift would the Lord desire from
any people, except their love and obedience?
This is a chapter in which theologians have made little headway in
interpretation. At this time, my thought is that it is a reference to the end
of the tribulation and the beginning of the millennium, when God has finished
reclaiming His land, His people, and His world. He announces His rest and
Israel gives himself to the Lord, who is ruling and reigning from Mt. Zion.
What part any South African country plays in this (whether it is Ethiopia or
another country) is unclear.
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