The Assyrians are approaching the Nile valley and Ethiopia is very disturbed. They are fleeing to other nations to seek help.

1. A word directed to Ethiopia (vs. 1-2)

In the days of Isaiah, Ethiopia was a major world power, ruling Egypt and a chief rival to Assyria. Since Judah was caught in the middle in this conflict, it might make sense for Judah to align herself with Ethiopia against Assyria. Isaiah says that these people are to go home and quietly watch God thwart Assyria. God is going to bring victory. It is He who holds the key for their safety.

Ethiopia is called “the land shadowed with buzzing wings”. The Nile Valley is famous for its many whirring insects. Ethiopia was known as the “nation tall and smooth of skin”. The Ethiopians were a tall race. They had dark skin and did not wear beards like the other nations. They were a distinctive people.

2. The Lord rejects the offer of help from the Ethiopians (vs. 3-6)

The Lord God rejects the alliance with Ethiopia, because He is more than able to deal with the Assyrians Himself. He can take His rest without the help of the Ethiopians. If God wanted to muster an army against Assyria, He would have raised a banner or sounded a trumpet. He is fully able to do it, and would do it when the time is right. Judah was to trust only in the Lord!

3. Ethiopians come and worship God (vs. 7)

Instead of Israelite messengers bringing news to Ethiopia of an alliance against the Assyria, the day will come when Ethiopians will come and worship at Mount Zion.

This may have been fulfilled in some way close to Isaiah’s time. But we know it was fulfilled in Acts 8:26-40, when an Ethiopian came to worship the Lord at Jerusalem, and then trusted in Jesus at the preaching of Philip. It was also fulfilled in the strong Ethiopian church the first few centuries and the enduring Ethiopian church today.

Categories: Isaiah