DAWN
Daily Arts Web Nucleus
Discover the Arts! Each day a different image from the Literary, Performing, or Visual Arts representing a portion of Scripture plus an explanation with links and a discussion forum 2013 June 28
Arrival of the French Ambassador in Venice (1740s)
Canaletto (1697-1768)
Vedute Style
The Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia
Image Source: Web Gallery of Art
Explanation: In Isaiah 18 the prophet pronounces a woe of approaching death and desolation (and the failure of its ambassadors) upon a certain land which will afterward become a tributary to the LORD in Zion. Commentators, from the earliest times till now, have disagreed about which nation Isaiah was talking about; and they have disagreed about various other points of interpretation. Below are selected comments from three commentaries with links to fuller discussions. For a modern discussion see the Net Bible and follow its links to Isaiah 18. (Also, for a discussion of the seaworthiness of reed boats, which is a major aspect of these discussions, click the link "vessels" below in verse 2).
Albert Barnes' Commentary: "The prophecy consists of the following parts:
1. The prophet addresses him self to the nation here described as a 'land shadowing with wings,' and as sending ambassadors, in a manner designed to call their attention to the great events soon to occur Isaiah 18:1-2.
2. He addresses all nations, calling upon them also to attend to the same subject Isaiah 18:3.
3. He says that God had revealed to him that destruction should come upon the enemies here referred to, and that the immense host should be left to the beasts of the earth, and to the fowls of the mountains Isaiah 18:4-6.
4. The consequence, he says, of such events would be, that a present would be brought to Yahweh from the distant nation 'scattered and peeled,' and whose land the rivers had spoiled Isaiah 18:7."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: "Whatever country it is that is meant here by "the land shadowing with wings," here is a woe denounced against it, for God has, upon his people's account, a quarrel with it. I. They threaten God's people (Isaiah 18:1, Isaiah 18:2). II. All the neighbours are hereupon called to take notice what will be the issue (Isaiah 18:3). III. Though God seem unconcerned in the distress of his people for a time, he will at length appear against their enemies and will remarkable cut them off (Isaiah 18:4-6). IV. This shall redound very much to the glory of God (Isaiah 18:7)."
Keil and Delitzsh Commentary: "The prophet is here foretelling the effect that will be produced upon Ethiopia by the judgment which Jehovah is about to inflict upon Asshur. ... The ambassadors are not sent to Judah, but carry commands with the most stirring despatch to every province under Ethiopian rule. The Ethiopian kingdom is thrown into the greatest excitement in the face of the approaching Assyrian invasion, and the messengers are sent out to raise the militia. At that time both Egypts were governed by the Ethiopian (or twenty-fifth) dynasty, Sabako the Ethiopian having made himself master of the country on the Lower Nile."
Isaiah 18
1 Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia:
2 That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!
3 All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye.
4 For so the LORD said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.
5 For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down the branches.
6 They shall be left together unto the fowls of the mountains, and to the beasts of the earth: and the fowls shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them.
7 In that time shall the present be brought unto the LORD of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion.
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