Chapter 18 With preceding and following chapters Isaiah addresses certain specific nations and announces prophecies concerning them. But here Isaiah prophecies about some land which he does not specifically identify. He makes references that appear to identify this nation with either Egypt or Assyria, but he never says that this nation is either of those nations and he gives some references that would definitely imply it was neither of these nations. What is Isaiah up to? v1 Interpretation of this verse by LDS commentators almost always associate the land referenced here as referring to the Americas (Joseph Fielding Smith stated that the reference to "wings" is a veiled reference to the shape of the North and South American continents as they are wing shaped, see the LDS Institute Study manual for the Old Testament page 156). Non-LDS commentators almost always state that the nation referenced here is Egypt (the Interpreters Bible says that the "wings" most likely have reference to the oared ships employed by the Egyptians). However, the JPS rendering presents a much different image of the symbolism as applied to the wings. Being overshadowed is common OT theme that represents being watched over or protected (30:2-3, Deut. 32:11, Ps. 36:8, Ps. 57:2, Ps. 61:5). The wings come in to denote that the one overshadowing you is higher up or superior to you and can therefore protect you. Thus, the usage of the term "wings" indicates that the land here is a protected or sheltered land. The last line of the verse also indicates that this land Isaiah is referencing is "beyond the rivers of Nubia", thus this nation cannot be Egypt as Egypt is nearer to Jerusalem than is Nubia (modern Ethiopia). And it is also hostile to the interpretation that this land is Assyria as well as Nubia is south of Jerusalem and Assyria is north. Thus, with one single reference to Nubia, Isaiah has eliminated positive geographic identification of this nation given the allusions made. v2 Interpretation of this verse is problematic, but it is similar in structure and content to v. 7, so we may combine and analyze these two verses in an effort to discover Isaiah's intent. Both verses make reference to the nation as being "far and remote" and the people of that nation as being "thrust forth and away". Both verses also describe the nation's language as being "gibber and chatter" and its land being "cut off by streams". The comments about "gibber and chatter" lend us a clue as Isaiah uses similar statements in 28:11 and 33:19 where foreign invaders are being referenced in connection with the covenant curse outlined in Deut. 28:49. These references have to do with the exile of the northern 10 tribes of Israel under Assyria. But, the land being "cut off by streams" tends to favor the interpretation that the land is Egypt as it is divided by the Nile delta and numerous tributaries (Ezekiel comments upon Egypt's many rivers in Ezek. 29). Verse 2 has two unique lines making reference to papyrus vessels upon which envoys travel. This would seem to allude to the nation being referenced as Egypt. But, the statement that the nation's speech is "gibber and chatter" is hostile to this conclusion as the Egyptians and Israelites were in constant communication during the entire history of both OT nations. Verse 7 contains the clincher. The unique lines in this verse state that this nation is to bring tribute to the Lord of Hosts at his abode on Mount Zion. Similar statements such as this are found in 49:18, 62:2, 3 Ne. 22:11, 3 Ne. 24:17 and D&C 42:39. All of these references have to do with the gathering of scattered Israel out from among the nations to which they have been banished. Thus we may conclude that the "nation[s] far and remote" whose language is "gibber and chatter" are the gentile nations which Israel is scattered among. The "people thrust forth and away" are scattered Israel. And the "tribute" is gathered Israel which is to be brought to the Mount Zion on the Day of the Lord (Joel 3:9-17). But why was Isaiah using images that would tend to make it look like he was talking about Egypt or Assyria? The "land" being referenced in this chapter is a composite of ancient Egypt and ancient Assyria. Egypt held all the nations of Israel captive before the Exodus and Assyria later sacked Northern Israel and brought about their scattering among the gentile nations. Thus, Isaiah uses known images of captivity and exile as connected with these two ancient nations that imposed these conditions on Israel to represent the "land" among which eschatological Israel is scattered among. But, he also throws in a definite geographic reference (Nubia) that eliminates the possibility of us positively identifying either of the historical nations symbolically alluded to as the "land" referenced in this chapter. v3-6 contain the message that is to be carried to this land of Israel's exile and the reason for this message going forth. v3 is the messenger's (from v2 line a) statement to the inhabitants of this land. Those who live in the world are warned that when the ensign is lifted and the horn is sounded that they should pay attention. The "horn" being referenced int his verse is the ceremonial shofar formed from a ram's horn. This horn was used anciently to sound the ingathering for the religious feasts as well as for issuing commands during war. Modernly the Jews still employ the shofar to announce the sabbath and various religious festivals including those instituted under the Law (cf. Exod 19:13). Note the statement Isaiah makes in 27:13: And in that day, a great ram's horn shall be sounded; and the strayed who are in the land of Assyria and the expelled who are in the land of Egypt shall come and worship the Lord on the holy mount, in Jerusalem. (JPS) v4-6 Given the warning of v. 3, this is why the world should be heeding the messenger. First, Isaiah indicates that he is quoting the Lord and he then proceeds to deliver an authority statement by the Lord. This statement informs us that the Lord is dwelling above the land of Israel's exile (a statement of superiority indicating power over that nation) and is a threat of imminent danger to them. Thus, the Lord is warning them via his messengers. But, given the typical nature of mankind the nation will fail to heed the messenger's warning and the result is that the orchard of the nations will be pruned. Those branches lopped off will be left for the beasts of the earth to consume (another typical covenant curse, cf. Lev. 26, Deut. 28). Note that Isaiah includes v. 5-6 in with the messenger's warning as explanation and further warning of his own. But, similar statements appear in Isaiah that state plainly that this event phrased as a potentially avoidable warning is in fact a prophecy to be fulfilled (cf. 28:4, 34:5-17).