Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"All inhabitants of the world"
Text: Isaiah 18:3
FORETELLING THE FUTURE OF ETHIOPIA I
Ethiopia was a kingdom that sought to grow its empire. The LORD gave a word to the Ethiopians that their political ambitions would falter and fail.
“All inhabitants of the world and dwellers on the earth:
When he lifts up a banner on the mountains, you see it;
And when he blows a trumpet, you hear it.
For so the LORD said to me,
‘I will take My rest,
And I will look from My dwelling place
Like clear heat in sunshine,
Like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.’
For before the harvest, when the bud is perfect
And the sour grape is ripening in the flower,
He will both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks
And take away and cut down the branches”
Isaiah 18:3-5
1. A word to all who dwelt on the earth.
a) Ethiopia would raise a banner to rally nations.
b) It would blow its war trumpet and all who hear the warning sound of war.
2. The LORD’s decree against Ethiopia.
a) He would not need to fight against Ethiopia vigorously.
b) He would “take (His) rest”.
c) He would keep an eye on things from His dwelling place in heaven.
d) Things would be like a very bright sunny day.
e) Two phrases employed to describe a good and clear day:
i) Clear heat in sunshine.
ii) A cloud of dew in the heat of summer.
3. Ethiopia’s political plans would fail.
a) Before too long Ethiopia would be defeated.
b) Ethiopia suffered defeats:
i) By Judah (2 Chronicles 14:11-13).
ii) By Assyria.
c) The demise of political ambitions.
i) Ethiopia was described as “sprigs” that would be cut off by pruning hooks.
ii) They were described as branches that were cut off and taken away.