Tyndale Open Study NotesIsaiah 18

This section includes predictions of judgment against Damascus, Israel, Ethiopia, and Egypt. The scene shifts from the crisis in 734 BC (the alliance of Syria and Israel; see study note on Isaiah 7:1–25) to the Assyrian crisis in 701 BC (see Isaiah 36–37).

Ethiopia was located to the south of Egypt. It marked the southern border of Egypt’s kingdom.

At that time, Egypt was ruled by an Ethiopian dynasty (a family line of kings). One of its rulers was Piankhi, also known as Piye.

Both the banner and ram's horn were used to organize and send signals to armies during battles (see Judges 3:27; 6:34; 2 Samuel 2:28).

The Lord is untroubled by human activities. He watches quietly from his dwelling place and acts when he chooses (see Psalm 2:1–4).

the flower becomes a ripening grape: Ethiopia had made every effort to form alliances to protect itself against Assyria, but its alliance with Judah would not help.

Conquered or weaker nations often had to pay tribute to a dominant king in the region (see Isiah 16:1; 2 Kings 3:4–5). The Ethiopians brought gifts to honor the Lord for defeating the Assyrians (see also 2 Chronicles 32:23).