Chronological Bible Study – July 17
What I Noticed Today (Isaiah 18-22)
Isaiah 18
Isaiah 18 contains the judgment against Cush.
Verse 1 begins with “Ah!” (in many translations). This is the same Hebrew word translated as “Woe” in previous chapters. It marks the beginning of a judgment speech.
In verses 3-7, Isaiah exhorts the people of the world (Cush) who were against the Assyrians to hear the Lord’s plan to defeat the Assyrians on His timing. When the Assyrians had been defeated, the nations of the world would bring tribute to the Lord in Jerusalem.
Isaiah 19
Isaiah 19 contains the oracle of Isaiah against Egypt.
In verses 1-4, Isaiah proclaims the Lord will come swiftly to Egypt. The hearts of the people will melt, Egyptian will rise up against Egyptian, and city against city in a state of mass confusion. They will consult their idols and sorcerers, but the Lord will give them over to a fierce master (Assyria).
In verses 5-10, God’s judgment will affect the Nile, which is the lifeblood of Egypt. Fishermen will not be able to catch fish, and the crops (flax/cotton) will fail.
In verses 11-15, the princes of Zoan (the capital of Egypt) and the counselors will have no wise counsel for pharaoh because God will have thrown them all into a state of confusion.
In verses 16-25, the phrase “In that day” appears five times, referring to a time of judgment followed by a time of blessing.
In verses 16-17, Egyptians are described as weak, and they will realize that Israel is strong because of the Lord.
In verse 18, five major Egyptian cities will swear allegiance to the Lord including the “City of Destruction” (in some translations “City of the Sun”) which was Heliopolis (dedicated to the worship of the sun god).
In verses 19-22, Egypt will build an altar to the Lord and vow to worship the Lord. The Lord will make Himself known to the Egyptians, healing them and restoring them if they repent and ask for His help.
In verses 23-25, Isaiah describes a time in that day when Egypt and Assyria, along with Israel, will worship the Lord together, and God will bless them all.
Isaiah 20
Isaiah 20 includes a description of a sign against Cush and Egypt.
In verses 1-6, Isaiah describes the Assyrians coming against Ashdod and defeating them. At that time, the Lord called on Isaiah to not wear his sackcloth or his sandals for three years as a sign against Egypt and Cush. The people of Israel should realize that if Egypt and Cush could be defeated by Assyria, they had no chance to survive without the Lord’s intervention.
Isaiah 21
Isaiah 21 contains the oracle of Isaiah against Babylon, Dumah, and Arabia.
In verse 1, Isaiah describes an oracle against the wilderness of the sea, which in verse 9 is identified as Babylon.
In verses 3-5, Isaiah utilizes a metaphor of a woman in labor to describe the pain and anguish he felt. The people were behaving as if nothing was wrong, but Isaiah calls them to oil their shields (shields made of animal skins needed to be oiled before battle to prevent them from cracking).
In verse 6-10, God tells Isaiah to be on the lookout for riders coming in pairs (referring to the prophesied battle between Babylon and Assyria). Babylon fell to the Assyrians which crushed the Israelites hope to get help from Babylon against Assyria.
In verses 11-12, Isaiah proclaims an oracle against Dumah (an oasis in Arabia). The reference to morning coming and inquiring again suggests that nothing of the oracle will change.
In verses 13-17, Isaiah concludes with an oracle against Arabia. The Dedanites, the people of Tama, and Kedar were all people of Arabia. This oracle says they will all suffer at the hands of the Assyrians; they would be running from the archers, and only a small remnant will survive.
Isaiah 22
Isaiah 22 contains Isaiah’s oracle against Jerusalem.
In verse 1, Isaiah speaks of the Valley of Vision, which is a reference to Jerusalem (v. 8 Judah, v. 9 City of David = Jerusalem).
Verses 2-8, describe the city leaders fleeing but being captured far away. God’s judgment had brought confusion with the people shouting and crying. The reference to Elam and Kir suggests they also went into battle against the Assyrians.
In verse 8b, Isaiah references the Forest of Weapons, which is Lebanon. Lebanon was an area of large forests and a place where their weapons were stored.
In verses 9-14, Isaiah describes Jerusalem with the city walls broken down. The people are trying to fortify the wall by tearing down their own houses, but in all their distress, they did not call on the Lord their God.
In verses 15-25, Isaiah pronounces an oracle against Shebna. Shebna was a steward of the palace (during Hezekiah’s time 2 Kings 18:18) who had neglected his duties looking after his own interests ahead of the people’s. The oracle says Shebna will be replaced by Eliakim (2 Kings 18:18). Eliakim would be a wise administrator, but the pressures of the job would eventually cause him to falter.