Jesaja 18

1 Wee het land, dat schaduwachtig is aan de frontieren, dat aan de zijde der rivieren van Morenland is;

2 Dat gezanten zendt over de zee, en in schepen van biezen op de wateren! Gaat henen, gij snelle boden! tot een volk, dat getrokken is en geplukt, tot een volk, dat vreselijk is van dat het was en voortaan; een volk van regel en regel, en van vertreding, welks land de rivieren beroven.

3 Allen gij ingezetenen der wereld, en gij inwoners der aarde! als men de banier zal oprichten op de bergen, zult gijlieden het zien, en als de bazuin zal blazen, zult gijlieden het horen.

4 Want alzo heeft de HEERE tot mij gezegd: Ik zal stil zijn, en zien in Mijn woning, als de glinsterende hitte op den regen, als een wolk des dauws in de hitte des oogstes;

5 Want voor den oogst, als de botte volkomen is, en de onrijpe druif rijp wordt na den bloesem, zo zal Hij de ranken met snoeimessen afsnijden, en de takken wegdoen, en afkappen.

6 Zij zullen te zamen gelaten worden den roofvogelen der bergen, en den dieren der aarde; en de roofvogelen zullen op hen overzomeren, en alle dieren der aarde zullen daarop overwinteren.

7 Te dien tijd zal den HEERE der heirscharen een geschenk gebracht worden van het volk, dat getrokken is en geplukt, en van het volk, dat vreselijk is van dat het was en voortaan; een volk van regel en regel, en van vertreding, welks land de rivieren beroven; tot de plaats van den Naam des HEEREN der heirscharen, tot den berg Sion.

Jesaja 18 Commentary

Chapter 18

God's care for his people; and the increase of the church.

- This chapter is one of the most obscure in Scripture, though more of it probably was understood by those for whose use it was first intended, than by us now. Swift messengers are sent by water to a nation marked by Providence, and measured out, trodden under foot. God's people are trampled on; but whoever thinks to swallow them up, finds they are cast down, yet not deserted, not destroyed. All the dwellers on earth must watch the motions of the Divine Providence, and wait upon the directions of the Divine will. God gives assurance to his prophet, and by him to be given to his people. Zion is his rest for ever, and he will look after it. He will suit to their case the comforts and refreshments he provides for them; they will be acceptable, because seasonable. He will reckon with his and their enemies; and as God's people are protected at all seasons of the year, so their enemies are exposed at all seasons. A tribute of praise should be brought to God from all this. What is offered to God, must be offered in the way he has appointed; and we may expect him to meet us where he records his name. Thus shall the nations of the earth be convinced that Jehovah is the God, and Israel is his people, and shall unite in presenting spiritual sacrifices to his glory. Happy are those who take warning by his judgment on others, and hasten to join him and his people. Whatever land or people may be intended, we are here taught not to think that God takes no care of his church, and has no respect to the affairs of men, because he permits the wicked to triumph for a season. He has wise reasons for so doing, which we cannot now understand, but which will appear at the great day of his coming, when he will bring every work into judgment, and reward every man according to his works.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 18

This chapter is a prophecy of the desolation of a land or country, described by the wings with which it was shaded, and by the rivers by which it was situated, Isa 18:1 by its messengers and message to another nation, which is also described, Isa 18:2 all the nations of the world are called upon to observe the judgment about to be inflicted on it, Isa 18:3 and a promise is made, that at the same time God will take up his rest and dwelling among his own people, and refresh and protect them, Isa 18:4 and the time, and manner, and nature of the destruction of the people before threatened, are metaphorically expressed, Isa 18:5,6 and the issue of all will be the glory of God, since these people will be brought, in after times, as a present to him in Mount Zion, Isa 18:7.