Isaiah 18:4 - Exposition

For so ; rather, for thus . The word koh is prospective. I will take my rest, and I will consider ; or, I will be still and look on. The rest of God is contrasted with the bustle and hurry of the Ethiopians and Assyrians. God "sits in his holy seat," calm and tranquil, knowing what the result is about to be, and when it will be; he waits while the influences of heat and moisture, sunshine and dew—his own agencies—ripen Assyria's schemes, impassive, taking no part. Then, suddenly, he takes the part described in the latter portion of Isaiah 18:5 , "cuts off the shoots and hews down the branches." Like a clear heat upon herbs , etc.; rather, while there is clear heat in the sunshine , while there is a cloud of dew in the harvest-warmth ; i.e. while surrounding influences are such as must favor the growth of Assyria's power and pride.