I. Introduction
Cush was geographically situated in the present day southern Egypt and northern Sudan. It was also known as Kush or Ethiopia but is distinctive from the Ethiopia of today.
In Genesis we are told that Cush was a son of Ham, and grandchild of Noah. Cush fathered Nimrod, known as a mighty hunter.
During the invasion of Assyria against Judah in 701 BC, the king of Cush, Tirhakah, came to aid Hezekiah against Assyria with an Ethiopian- Egyptian army. However Sennacherib defeated Tirhakah at Eltekeh which lies north-east of Jerusalem near the Mediterranean coast.
That’s why in 2 kings 19:10, Sennacherib sent a message to Hezekiah warning him that he will be next.
However, Jerusalem, as we have discussed, was protected by God and was not taken by Assyria. Assyria later on invaded Egypt and ended the Kushite rule over that region in 672 BC.
II) The ambassadors and the prophet’s word to them (1-3)
The land of Cush is along the Nile which has many insects with “whirring wings”. The Cush must have or will send ambassodors to Judah to plan against Assyria.
There was no obvious judgement against Cush in this chapter. Rather, Isaiah’s message to Cush is to say “no thanks” for their military aid, which we know from history has not helped anyone.
III) Jehovah is in control (v4-6)
God does not need help from Cush or anyone. God Himself can win against Assyria if He wants to. God's power over our lives are often unseen and unheard, but it is as powerful as the sun’s passive heat and the dew where without them nothing will grow. (v4)
Isaiah assures that God will cut off Assyria such that they will be left to be food to the birds and beasts of the earth. (v5-6)
IV) Ethiopia’s homage to the Lord (7)
God instead invites the Kushites (or their descendants) to
wait for the last days and to bring to Zion their tributes and to worship the
Lord of hosts. (v7)
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