What an ending to a chapter!
(I suspected, as we began this study of Isaiah, to find whole chapters about the Millennium. And there are some. This Prophet is indeed the premier “Kingdom Preacher” of the Old Testament! But I am overwhelmed by the instances of single-verse or two-verse or three-verse proclamations of that coming Golden Age as well.)
And Isaiah 18:7 is a good example.
“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.”
Now the verse with some explanations inserted into the King James Text. These are NOT corrections, merely synonyms or explanations.
“In that time (during the Millennium) shall the present (some special gift of worship, an offering) be brought unto the LORD of hosts (God of the armies, Jesus when He comes back to earth) 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 (the precise description given earlier in the chapter of Ethiopia), to the place (Jerusalem) of the name (Honor, Reputation, Renown) of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion (precisely, the Temple area).”
Ethiopians saved!
Worshipping God (Jesus) at Jerusalem!
Wow!
Zechariah 8:22 foretells such events … “Yea, many people and strong NATIONS shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.”
Psalm 68:31 is even more specific, mentioning Ethiopia by name! “Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.” Bible Prophecy at its best! And the whole world will think so too, when this literally occurs! What a Book, our Bible!
And Zephaniah agrees. “For then will I (the Lord) turn to the people a pure language (likely Davidic Hebrew), that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve (adore) him with one consent. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia (the subject of Isaiah 18) my suppliants (worshippers), even the daughter of my dispersed (scattered), shall bring mine offering. Zephaniah 3:9-10
Yes, a Millennial Verse indeed, our Text today … Isaiah 18:7.
“Saved Ethiopians,” that very term reminding me of Acts chapter 8.
The eunuch!
Please, take time to read it.
“And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of ETHIOPIA, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the ETHIOPIANS, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for TO WORSHIP, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias (ISAIAH) the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: in his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, AND PREACHED UNTO HIM JESUS. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, IF THOU BELIEVEST with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.” Acts 8:26-39. I have highlighted some words by capitalizing them.
This man … sort of the “firstfruits” of Ethiopian converts … with many more to follow, “in that day!”
Hallelujah!
Does God love the world, or not?
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”