Chapter 18 - Cush

Chapter 18 brings a short declaration of judgment upon Cush, ending with a vision of redemption.

Isaiah 18:1 - 2 (HCSB) Ah! The land of buzzing insect wings beyond the rivers of Cush sends couriers by sea, in reed vessels on the waters. Go, swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth-skinned, to a people feared far and near, a powerful nation with a strange language, whose land is divided by rivers.

Cush corresponds to Ethiopia, south of Egypt; it was a nation known for its ships and the attending trade. Being blessed with many rivers, Cush was also plagued with many bugs. Verses 2b & 3 describe Cush's activity to raise up, for all the people to come to her aid - the nation of powerful, tall, smooth-skinned people with a strange language. But then, in verse 4, YHWH speaks to His prophet.

Isaiah 18:4 (HCSB) For, the LORD said to me: I will quietly look out from My place, like shimmering heat in sunshine, like a rain cloud in harvest heat.

In contrast to the frantic cries from humans, YHWH is calm, in control, seeing everything. He will cut down the fruit bearing plants before harvest time (verse 5), leaving only birds of prey and foraging beasts. This may be part of what of what formed the vision in Revelation 19:17-18 (HCSB) Then I saw an angel standing on the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice, saying to all the birds flying high overhead, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of commanders, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of their riders, and the flesh of everyone, both free and slave, small and great.”

That great supper is two-sided, with all of it taking place at the end of the age; just as the judgment of all flesh.

The end-of-the-age perspective is brought home with the last verse of this chapter.

Isaiah 18:7 (HCSB)  At that time a gift will be brought to Yahweh of Hosts from a people tall and smooth-skinned, a people feared far and near, a powerful nation with a strange language, whose land is divided by rivers—to Mount Zion, the place of the name of Yahweh of Hosts.

"At that time" has the same impact as "on that day" - drawing our attention to the end of time. At that time, the remnant of Cush - the tall, smooth-skinned people with strange language and many rivers - will bring gifts to YHWH, on Mount Zion; the place of peace with God that none but the redeemed will ascend.

If you are having your wealth decimated, wondering why you face ruin - perhaps the Lord of the harvest is pruning you so that you will turn to Him. Harden not your heart today - for you may not have tomorrow.