God's Postmen to a Powerful People Text: Isaiah 18:1-2
Introduction: The Geopolitics of God
When we moderns read the prophets, we often do so with a newspaper in one hand and the Bible in the other, looking for today's headlines in the ancient text. We see a prophecy about a nation "beyond the rivers of Ethiopia," and we immediately start trying to pin it on a modern country, as though the prophet Isaiah were a sort of inspired geopolitical analyst for the twenty-first century. But this is to fundamentally misunderstand what prophecy is for. The prophets were not writing a cryptic almanac for us to decode thousands of years later. They were speaking God's authoritative, covenantal word into their own historical context, to their own audience.
And the point was always the same: Yahweh, the God of Israel, is the sovereign Lord of all history and all nations. He is the one who raises up empires and the one who casts them down. The gods of the nations are nothing, idols of wood and stone, but our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases. So when Isaiah speaks of Egypt, or Babylon, or in this case, Cush, he is not simply giving Judah a political briefing. He is delivering a theological smackdown to the proud nations of the earth. He is reminding Judah, and us, that the fate of nations is not decided in the throne rooms of kings or the war rooms of generals, but in the unchangeable counsel of the Almighty.
This chapter is a pronouncement, a "woe" or an "alas," directed at the land of Cush, which we know as ancient Ethiopia or Nubia. In Isaiah's day, this was a significant power. The Nubian dynasty, the 25th dynasty of Egypt, was ruling from the south. They were a major player on the world stage, a force to be reckoned with, particularly as a potential ally against the ever-present threat of Assyria. So when Judah was tempted to look to this powerful, "tall and smooth" nation for salvation, God sends a message. He says, in effect, "I am the one running this show. I see that nation, I know all about their power, and I will use them according to My purpose, not yours." This is a lesson in divine sovereignty, a reminder that all the frantic political maneuvering of men is just the rustling of leaves in the wind of God's will.
The Text
Alas, O land of whirring wings Which lies beyond the rivers of Ethiopia,
Which sends envoys by the sea, Even in papyrus vessels on the surface of the waters. Go, swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth, To a people feared far and wide, A powerful and oppressive nation Whose land the rivers divide.
(Isaiah 18:1-2 LSB)
The Land of Shadows and Insects (v. 1)
We begin with the address, the "alas" or "woe" to this distant land.
"Alas, O land of whirring wings Which lies beyond the rivers of Ethiopia," (Isaiah 18:1)
The prophet opens with a designation that is both descriptive and dismissive. The "land of whirring wings" is a bit of a puzzle for commentators. Some think it refers to the sound of locusts, a common plague in that part of the world. Others think it refers to the sails of their ships, or perhaps the sound of their armies. A more compelling option is that it refers to the tsetse fly, an insect notorious in that region. The word for "whirring" can also be translated as "shadowing." So it could be a "land of shadowing wings," perhaps referring to the shadow their great power cast, or more literally, the shade provided along their rivers.
But whatever the precise meaning, the effect is to paint a picture. This is a real place, a known entity. It is "beyond the rivers of Ethiopia," meaning the region south of Egypt, the upper Nile. This is the kingdom of Cush, or Nubia. God is not speaking in vague generalities. He is pointing His finger at a specific spot on the map. He knows their address.
The opening word, often translated "Woe," can also be an attention-getting "Ah!" or "Ho!" It is a summons. God is hailing this distant nation. He is calling them out. This is a challenge. The God of a small, seemingly insignificant nation, Judah, is issuing a divine subpoena to a regional superpower. This is the audacity of faith. The world sees power in armies and empires. God declares that true power resides in His Word alone, spoken through His chosen servants.
The Frantic Messengers of Men (v. 2a)
Next, the prophet describes the activity of this nation, their constant diplomatic and military hustle.
"Which sends envoys by the sea, Even in papyrus vessels on the surface of the waters." (Isaiah 18:2a)
This is a picture of frantic, ceaseless activity. They are sending messengers everywhere. The "sea" here is likely the Nile River, the great highway of that ancient world. They are using "papyrus vessels," which were light, fast skiffs perfect for the river. This depicts a nation fully engaged in the great game of international politics. They are making alliances, sending ambassadors, gathering intelligence, trying to secure their borders and project their power. At this time in history, they were likely trying to stir up a coalition to resist the Assyrian juggernaut.
From a human perspective, this is just what powerful nations do. It is prudent. It is strategic. But from God's perspective, it is the scurrying of ants on a hill that He is about to kick over. All this human effort, all this careful planning, all this sending of swift messengers, is utterly subordinate to the plan of God. Man proposes, but God disposes. The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, but He who sits in the heavens laughs.
The papyrus vessels themselves are a symbol of this fragility. They are swift, yes, but they are also flimsy. They are made of reeds, easily broken, easily swamped. This is a subtle but potent commentary on the nature of human power. It may look impressive, it may move swiftly, but it is ultimately as fragile as a paper boat on the great river of God's providence.
God's Message to the Mighty (v. 2b)
Then, in a stunning reversal, God commandeers their messengers. He gives them His message to take back to their own people.
"Go, swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth, To a people feared far and wide, A powerful and oppressive nation Whose land the rivers divide." (Isaiah 18:2b)
God essentially says, "You messengers, who are rushing about doing the bidding of your king, I have a new errand for you. Stop what you are doing. Turn around. Go back home and deliver My description of your nation to them." And what a description it is. This is how the world saw Cush, and it is how Cush saw itself.
They are a "nation tall and smooth." The Nubians were known for their impressive height and their smooth, dark skin. This is a physical description that carries connotations of strength and beauty. They were an imposing people.
They are "a people feared far and wide." Their reputation preceded them. They were not a nation to be trifled with. They had a history of military conquest and were a recognized power in the ancient Near East.
They are a "powerful and oppressive nation." The Hebrew here is interesting. It is "qav-qav," which has the sense of a strong, energetic, and even domineering line of people. The second word means "treading down." They were a nation that crushed its enemies underfoot. They were conquerors.
Their land is one "the rivers divide." This points to the geography of the upper Nile, with its various tributaries, which was the source of their agricultural wealth and power. Their land was well-defined and well-watered, a bastion of strength.
So God's message begins with an utterly realistic, even flattering, description. He is not denying their power. He is not pretending they are weak. He is saying, "I see you exactly as you are. I see your height, your reputation, your military might, your oppressive strength, your geographical advantages. I see it all." And this is the essential prelude to what comes next in the chapter. Because God's point is that all of this impressive human strength is nothing before Him. He will raise His banner, and this mighty nation, along with all the other nations, will be brought to Zion as a gift to the Lord of hosts. The purpose of this prophecy is to show that the most formidable human powers are but pawns on God's chessboard, to be moved according to His will for the glory of His name and the establishment of His kingdom.