Isaiah 18
DortA Prophecy against the Ethiopians, vers.1, &c. A promise concerning the defence of the Church, and the punishment of her enemies, 4. A Prophecy concerning the conversion of the Gentiles, 7.
1. Wo to the Land which is shadowy on the borders, which is on the side of the rivers of Ethiopia. [The Prophet proclaimeth wo against Ethiopia, to warn the Jews, that they should not trust to the help of the Ethiopians, because Ethiopia with Egypt, and other bordering Countries, should be severely punished and destroyed by the just judgement of God, as came to pass, first by the Assyrians, and afterward by the Babylonians. See below chap.20.3,4,5,6. And 43.3. Ezech.30.4,5. And 38.5. Nahum.3.9,10. Zeph.2.12. Oth. O Land, &c. Meaning that this whole chapter relateth to the times of the Messiah, and of the calling of the Jews and Gentiles unto Christ, under the banner of the Gospel, as also to the times of the rejection and long-lasting punishment of the obstinate Jews, and final conversion. (Wo to the land that is shadowy,) That is, which is full of shadows, or, which maketh a shadow. (on the frontiers, or, borders.) Hebr. At, or, on the wings: That is, which is full of shadows on the frontiers, or borders or limits, or bounds, as above chap.11.12. and below chap.24.16. and that by reason of the multitude of high mountains that lay there, which made those shadows. Some understand here by the shadowy wings, the great number of sails of ships, that did cast a shadow: then the meaning is this, Wo to the land where all those ships are. Others conceive that by the shadow of the wings here is signified, that the Ethiopians and Egyptians (as neighbours and confederates) were wont to take other nations and people under their protection. Compare below chap.30.2,3, etc. (which is on the side of the rivers of Ethiopia.) This is a Description of the situation of Ethiopia, lying on both sides of the rivers, Nilus, Astapus, Astaboras, &c. As the Maps and Geographers do shew. Compare Zeph.3.9.]
2. That sendeth Ambassadorss over the Sea, and in ships of bulrushes upon the waters, [Oth. He sendeth Ambassadors, &c Understanding this of God, who by his providence ordaineth, that the Ethiopians are frighted by the news of the enemies approach, by comparing Ezech.30.9. Others understand it of the Ethiopians, (or, of their King Tirhaka, 2 Kings 19:9.) who sent Ambassadors, for (together with the Egyptians) to denounce war against the Assyrian at the Jews request, or (as some) unto the Jews to promise them aid, or (as others) unto divers near-adjoining or neighbouring nations, to gather a huge army together against the invasion of the Assyrians. (and in ships of bulrushes upon the waters,) Such kind of ships, and boats they used in those countries for the lightness of them, and because they did no so soon break or burst asunder, as the wooden ones do, when they hit any where against the rocks, of which the river Nilus is very full. Hebr. Vessels] (saying;) Go your ways, ye swift messengers, [Hebr. Light messengers. See Job 7.on vers.6.] to a nation that is drawn, and plucked (or, peeled,) to a people which is terrible since they were, and thence forth; [That is, lion that they very time that they were a people, and so onward, or, so continually. Oth. From their beginning hitherto] a nation of rule, and rule, [Hebr. A nation of rule, or, of line it] and of treading down, whose land rivers spoil. [This is, happily a description of the Assyrians, who were drawn away, far from their land, and were made bald and bare by long continuing wars. (Compare Ezech.29.18.) A terrible people from the beginning and to continually, Genes.10.8,9, &c. Who would set rule and measure to every one, and would tread down other nations, and who had in their land many rivers, which were wont to wash it away, as usually happeneth. Some apply it to the inhabitants of Ethiopia, and other nations thereunto adjoining, spread far and near, who were slender of body, had thin hair, were wild and terrible, lying far distant from one another, or, which way of rule should be trodden down: Or, upon whom God would draw the line of his judgement. Compare 2 Kings 21:13. below chap.34.11, etc. Others take it as a description of the people of the Jews, which had suffered much, and receive of God rule upon rule, or, line upon line, below 28.10. and were very terrible in regard of the great wonders and miracles of God, although many enemies (as mighty rivers, above chap.8,7, etc.) spoiled their land: concerning all which the understanding Reader will be able to judge.]
3. All the inhabitants of the World, and the dwellers on the earth; when the banner shall be set up (on) thee mountains, ye shall see (it,) and when the trumpet shall blow, ye shall hear (it.) [In this verse is intimated, that this judgement of God should be surely and publicly fulfilled, as it were in the sight of all the World, so that other nations should be witnesses of the truth of this Prophecy, and the Jews should be witnesses of the truth of this Prophecy, and the Jews should be ashamed of their confidence and relying on the aid of the Ethiopians, Egyptians, &c. (when the banner shall be set up, &c.) Oth. When I (to wit, God) shall set up, &c. That is, when I shall cause the enemies army to come against the Ethiopians: or, when I by mine Angel shall smite and slay the Assyrians, of which some do understand this verse. (ye shall see it) or, see ye it; and so immediately, hear ye it]
4. For so the LORD said unto me: I will be quiet, and behold in my dwelling-place, as the glistering heat upon the rain, as a cloud of Dew in the heat of Harvest: [Spoken of God after the manner of men: As Kings sitting in the their palaces, yet look to all things, and mind their Kingdom, and take care for it: so doth God promise that he will spare, comfort, and do good to his church, in the mean while that he is executing his judgements upon the heathenish nations (whereof mention is made, vers.5,6.) as sun-shine is pleasant and delightful after rain, and a dewy cloud in harvest. Others conceive, that here beginneth the description of Gods judgement, as if God had said: I will indeed suffer the Ethiopians to make a stir, to assemble themselves for their own defence, or (as others) I will suffer the Assyrians to go on a while in their violence and oppression, but it shall tend to their own ruin at last, as immoderate heat after much rain spoileth the tender herbs, and a thick, wet, misty cloud spoileth the harvest.]
5. For [Or, But] afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the unripe grape ripeneth (after) the blossom, then shall be cut down the branches with pruning-hooks, and take away, and chop of the boughs. [This is now a description of Gods judgement, to the consideration whereof the nations are invited, vers. 3. (afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, &c.) By this similitude and borrowed Phrase is signified, that God will confound all defence and resistance of the Ethiopians, or (as others) all defence and resistance of the Ethiopians, or (as others all the Violence and cruelty of the Assyrians, before they shall bring it to full perfection, and will most fearfully destroy them.]
6. They [To wit, the Ethiopians, or Assyrians] shall be left together unto the preying-fowls of the mountains, and to the beasts of the earth, and the fowls of prey shall summer over them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter over them. [Compare Ezech.31.12, 13.]
7. At that time shall a present be brought unto the LORD of Hosts, (Of) the people, that is drawn, and plucked, [of whom above vers.2.] and of the people, that is terrible since they were, and thence forward: [That is, of some of this terrible people. Thus must likewise the particle of, be taken and understood, Matth.23.34. And of them ye shall kill, &c. That is, some of them ye shall kill] a nation of rule (and) rule, and of treading down, whose land the rivers spoil: to the place of the Name of the LORD of Hosts, to the mountain of Zion. [In this verse (as elsewhere often) God maketh a comfortable promise, concerning the gracious calling of the Moors or Assyrians, and such like other heathenish enemies, to the communion of the Lord Christ and his Church. Compare below chap.19.19, &c. And see the like Prophecies concerning the Ethiopians, Psal.68.32. and 87.4. below chap.45.14. Zeph.3.9. and a notable example, Acts 8:27, &c.]