Today's text is Isaiah 18. What a curious chapter!
This section of the book of Isaiah contains "woe after woe" upon various countries of the world. In most cases, each country is named. For example, we looked in the past couple of days in detail about the "woe" upon Syria (ch. 17). Chapters 15 and 16 concern Moab, present day Jordan. Isaiah 19 concerns Egypt, and so on.
Chapter 18 references 4 countries.
The first is the land of Israel. Isaiah wrote to the Israelites, and directional information is always from the reference point of Israel's location.
The second country referred to is the land of Cush, which is mentioned several times in the Bible. Cush was the son of Ham, who was one of the three sons of Noah. Some have speculated that the land of Cush is present-day Ethiopia. In fact, the Septuagint (Greek translation of the OT, previously referenced in this blog) translate the word Cush as Ethiopia. Others disagree, saying that Ethiopia is a mistranslation and that Cush is present-day Iraq, which contains the prominent rivers Tigris and Euphrates. I'm not going to get into an argument about the location here.
The third country referred to is the one "beyond the rivers of Cush". This is the aggressor country, the one who sends "messengers" to the fourth country. It is described as a land of "buzzing, whirring wings". If you subscribe to the view that Cush is Iraq, then the country just east of ("beyond the rivers of") Cush, would be Iran. The "woe" (condemnation) is pronounced upon this aggressor country. What could these "messengers" be? In the New English Translation, we read vs. 2:
"... that sends messengers by sea,
who glide over the water's surface in boats made of papyrus.
Go, you swift messengers, ... "
The fourth country is unnamed. Perhaps this is so because it was unknown to the Israelites of Isaiah's day. Perhaps it was not even a "country" at that time, but a sparsely inhabited land. This country, however, IS described in Isaiah 18, verses 2 and reiterated again in vs. 7. Here are the descriptors (NET):
- the people who live in this country are tall
- the people who live in this country are smooth-skinned
- the nation is feared far and wide
- the nation is strong and victorious
- a key geographical feature of this land is that it is divided by rivers
Okay, let's see how America stacks up to this. Some scholars believe this 4th nation could be America.
- America would not have been a known entity to the Israelites of Isaiah's day.
- Americans are significantly taller than other countries' people, "by and large" (pun intended). This is due to the extreme wealth of America and the fact that for many years her people have been well-fed.
- The expression"smooth-skinned" is also a reference to wealth, as having smooth skin is a characteristic of a wealthy, well-cared for person.
- For most of its history, and to a certain extent today, America is a leader nation that is feared far and wide. It has been strong and victorious for over 200 years, in its conflicts with the rest of the world. It has never been conquered.
- America is covered with rivers. It is well-watered land, and the mighty Mississippi bisects the country.
- America is across the sea from all of the middle eastern and Asian countries, regardless of whether you believe that Cush is Iran or Ethiopia or any of the other African or Asian countries in that part of the world.
Verse 5 tells us that this attack will occur when ripening fruit is on the vine, which could mean a 4-six month period. If you believe that the attacked country is America, this would be from May through October, or so. Fall crops are "on the vine" on into October in the Southern U.S. However, verse 6 seems to indicate that the attack will occur in early summer.
Verse 6 describes the attack. It is no mere pinprick, as the 9/11 attack was. This attack brings complete and utter destruction to this unnamed country.
"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."
There will be so many dead, that the country's inhabitants will not be able to bury them all. During the summer, birds and other carrion will eat the dead bodies. As time flows on into winter, wild animals will roam the land and feed on the remainder. This type of destruction is also seen in Ezekiel 38 and 39, in conjunction with the battle of Gog and Magog. (Ezek. 39:17-19)
Verse 7 is very curious however. Despite the massive destruction, the people of this devastated country appear to turn to God - - the God of Angel Armies, our Lord and Father, God Almighty.
Now, whatever could that gift be? IF this country's destruction coincides with, or happens just prior to, the great Gog/Magog battle of the nations amassed against Israel, then this attacked country (America?) would have been rendered incapacitated to help Israel, yes? But, after the attack on this unnamed country, the people are able to send a gift to God, to Jerusalem. Verse 7: (NET)
"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."
IF this attack occurs in conjunction with, or just prior to, the Gog/Magog battle, the nation of Israel will have suffered tremendous damage. Ezekiel 38:20 tells us that a mighty earthquake will rock the earth at the time of this battle. Perhaps the gift sent by this unnamed country could be funds to help Israel build the 3rd temple, the temple which will feature prominently during the Tribulation period? Or, some have speculated that this unnamed country's gift would be the more generic funds to help Israel rebuild in general. One thing is sure: this unnamed country will be bringing the gift to the LORD, at Jerusalem. This does signify a turning to God, on the part of that unnamed nation.
It's not beneficial to be dogmatic about these things, because Isaiah 18 is rather cryptic. Such a somber passage ... a chapter of judgment on the aggressor country, for its attack on an unnamed country.
At this point, as we have just had the Day of Remembrance (13th anniversary of 9/11/14) here in America, there is something I want to point out.
When American Christians weep and mourn over the spiritual decline currently happening in our country, we love to quote 2 Chronicles 7:14 and pray that God will turn our country around. That is fitting and proper - - - to reference this verse and to pray for our country, as long as we start with ourselves. "If my people..." the verse begins.
Look at the example of Daniel in Daniel 9. There he is praying for his people, and over and over again he says "we" have sinned. He includes himself in his assignment of guilt. By this time, he is an old man, in his eighties, who has faithfully, earnestly sought God from his youth. Yet, as he prays that God will release his people from bondage, he includes confession of his own sin. As we pray for revival and for mercy on our nation, we must start with ourselves. Revival starts with the Church of Jesus Christ.
Father, Your ways are past our understanding. You give us clues in your Word, and You told Daniel in chapter 12 of his book that "the wise will understand". Help us to understand and to be prepared for whatever comes our way. Help us to be watchful and vigilant, as the world around us becomes increasingly hostile to our faith. Our hope and our trust is in You, blessed Father and in Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. We are Your humble servants. Purify us, so that we, Your Church, may be presented before You faultless, blameless, before the presence of Your glory, with exceeding joy! (Jude 1:24). And, until then, may we walk before You, with You, ... resplendent! In Jesus' name, amen.
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