Isaiah – Page 19 – Be Still…

Isaiah 18:1-7 – Ethiopia Gets Some Attention

What do we learn about Ethiopians here? That they are a tall, soft-skinned people feared for their conquests and destruction. Apparently, they were going to get in the mix and be destroyed by Assyria as well. This warning was for them as they were setting up alliances to be ready for an Assyrian attack.

But the Lord’s message is: “Even before you begin your attack, while your plans are ripening like grapes, the Lord will cut off your new growth with pruning shears. He will snip off and discard your spreading branches. Your mighty army will be left dead in the fields for the mountain vultures and wild animals.” It doesn’t appear that Ethiopia is even going to get to play in this battle. They are going to be shut down before the “games” begin.

Isaiah 17:1-14 – Doomed by Association

Read Isaiah 17:1-14

You’ll note that Isaiah’s vision from God today is directed to Damascus, the capital of Syria. However, much of the oracle points to Israel. You may recall that Syria and Israel had made an alliance. In essence, Damascus was doomed by their association. Would God have otherwise demolished that city to rubble? “All that remains of Syria will share the fate of Israel’s departed glory,” declares the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”

This is not the first time we hear about how Israel will be punished for their disobedience. There are new word pictures to help describe the desolation and the remnant who will remain. We have probably all seen what’s left of a field, on a tree, or on a vine after being harvested. If there is fruit left, it’s out of reach and often rots on the vine. Israel (and Damascus) will be left unrecognizable and barren. “It will be desolate, like the fields in the valley of Rephaim after the harvest.”

Isaiah 15:1-16:14 – Moab’s Fate

Read Isaiah 15:1-16:14

Moab was a region to the east of the Dead Sea. I understand that the inhabitants there had a relative connection to the Israelites. Generations ago, Lot, the nephew of Abraham, had an incestuous relationship with his daughter. The result of that relationship was a son named Moab. There had been plenty of power plays with the Israelites over the years as their territories were in close proximity.

We see that God is still caring for his own to some degree by calling out a prophecy of what the fate is for that side of the family. It doesn’t look good. There will be some Moabites who will be knocking on the doors of Israelites seeking refuge. We see that kind of behavior today. Groups of immigrants moving to other countries happens frequently as they seek asylum in other cultures.

Isaiah 14:28-32 – Find Refuge

Read Isaiah 14:28-32

Don’t let the reference to Ahaz’s death fool you. It appears its purpose is simply to set a date context for us. It is not talking about King Ahaz’s son when it says, “For from that snake a more poisonous snake will be born, a fiery serpent to destroy you!” Like Israel, Philistia had also been ravaged by the king of Assyria. That king also died near the time of the death of Ahaz.

This little snippet of Scripture points to a great doom yet to fall. Could it be Isaiah again is referring to the rise of Babylon? Is it Babylon who will be the “powerful army [that] comes like smoke from the north.” With the placement of this oracle in proximity to both Babylon and Assyria, I just wonder. I’m not a Bible scholar but have taken a look at a couple different commentaries. If the people thought Assyria was ruthless, the rise of the Babylonians will be worse.

Isaiah 14:1-27 – A Taunt for Babylon’s King

Read Isaiah 14:1-27

What does it mean to taunt? I always thought it was like teasing. So, I looked it up and according to Dictionary.com, the noun taunt is “an insulting gibe or sarcasm; scornful reproach or challenge.” I’m not sure this helps or not, but we know from these words that God is going to win this challenge. There is no question, God is ruler of all, and no mighty king has a chance against the power of God.

Our text starts with another promise. “But the Lord will have mercy on the descendants of Jacob. He will choose Israel as his special people once again. He will bring them back to settle once again in their own land. And people from many different nations will come and join them there and unite with the people of Israel.” We’re seeing in this section a glimpse into what God will do against Israel’s surrounding nations. It is God’s overall intention to include people from many different nations as “his” people. The day is coming when “Israel will rule over its enemies.” But before that can happen, there will be hardships, discipline, growing pains.