Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"He will lift up a banner to the nations from afar"
Text: Isaiah 5:26
THE ENEMIES OF JUDAH
The LORD gave to Isaiah a glimpse of the enemies that would conquer Judah in the future. The enemies were described as “nations from afar”.
“He will lift up a banner to the nations from afar,
And will whistle to them from the end of the earth;
Surely they shall come with speed, swiftly.
No one will be weary or stumble among them,
No one will slumber or sleep;
Nor will the belt on their loins be loosed,
Nor the strap of their sandals be broken;
Whose arrows are sharp,
And all their bows bent;
Their horses’ hooves will seem like flint,
And their wheels like a whirlwind.”
Isaiah 5:26-28
1. Revelation from the LORD.
a) God Himself will call the nations from afar.
i) He will lift up a banner to rally them.
ii) He will whistle to them though they are “from the end of the earth”.
b) God’s involvement must be carefully understood.
i) He is the sovereign LORD over Judah and all countries.
ii) It is His prerogative to call for judgment to be meted out against Judah.
iii) Judah had sinned grievously against the LORD and it is to be chastised.
2. The response of the far-away nations.
a) They will heed the LORD and come swiftly to do His bidding.
b) This is in direct contrast to the disobedience of Judah.
3. A description of how the nations would respond to God’s call.
a) They will show no sign of weariness or fatigue.
b) They will not slumber nor sleep.
c) They would be thoroughly prepared as an invading army.
4. They will wage war against Judah.
a) They have sharp arrows.
b) They have ready and skilful bowmen.
c) They will have a swift and formidable cavalry.
d) They will also bring their powerful and feared chariots.