Isaiah 18:1-7 - Exposition

THE HOMAGE OF ETHIOPIA TO JEHOVAH . Amid the general excitement caused by the advance of Assyria, Ethiopia also is stirred, and stirred to its furthest limits. The king sends messengers in beats upon the canals and rivers to summon his troops to his standard ( Isaiah 18:1 , Isaiah 18:2 ). The earth stands agaze to see the result of the approaching collision ( Isaiah 18:3 ); but God rests calmly in heaven while events are ripening ( Isaiah 18:4 , Isaiah 18:5 ). When the time comes he will strike the blow—Assyria will be given to the fowls of the air and the beasts of the field ( Isaiah 18:6 ). Then Ethiopia will make an act of homage to Jehovah by the sending of a present to Jerusalem ( Isaiah 18:7 ). The time seems to be that immediately preceding the great invasion of Sennacherib, 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.