Isaiah 17-18

Summary Syria and Israel were the nations north of Judah while Ethiopia (modern day Sudan) is the southern kingdom. Israel worships idols while these kingdoms around them are plotting war and politics. Isaiah reminds everyone that they are like kids playing in the playground and God is the teacher watching silently but he will put them in their place soon. Since Isaiah 13 we have seen different nations the focus of Isaiah's writing. Nations far and wide come into view. Chapter 18 turns its attention to Ethiopia. This is the empire that spanned the North of Africa near the Nile River. A nation which sent envoys far and wide. They wanted to spread their kingdom far and set up a worldwide kingdom. It was a strong and mighty nation. God When God sets up his kingdom, all the nations are included within God's plan. It is not one kingdom taking over and subsuming all kingdoms, but one kingdom including all kingdoms within it. A time of transformation and change is visualised. Gospel It is good news that God doesn’t select one nation above all others. God is the God of all the universe. God’s plan always included all the nations. Jesus sent the church out further than Israel. Phillip even encountered an Ethiopian and spoke about the book of Isaiah to this man. “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Reflection What do you hear God saying new to you today in Isaiah’s prophecy against forgetful Israel?