Westhill Church - Auburn & Federal Way, WA

The WEekly Word

A Blog of Encouragement from our Pastors

weekly word – 7/02/2026

God’s Prophecy for Cush - Isaiah 18

Isaiah 18 deals with a very unique moment in the history of Israel. In 701 BC, the Kingdom of Cush tried to make an alliance with the Kingdom of Judah. But Judah’s refusal set the stage for one of the greatest miracles of the Old Testament.

From 744–656 BC, Egypt was ruled by a series of Cushite kings, called the “Black Pharaohs” by historians. They ruled from Nubia (in modern Sudan) over Egypt and parts of Ethiopia.

In the same period, the Assyrians were trying to conquer the region along the eastern Mediterranean coast known as the Levant. So rather than wait for the Assyrians to come to Egypt, the Cushites sent military support to their neighbors in the Levant at least twice in 701 BC.

First, as the Assyrian king Sennacherib took his armies through Philistia, the army of Cushites and Egyptians arrived to support the local Philistine army. Nevertheless, Sennacherib was victorious in Philistia. He writes, “With the support of the god Aššur, my lord, I fought with them and defeated them. In the thick of battle, I captured alive the Egyptian charioteers and princes together with the charioteers of the king of the land Meluḫḫa.” (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/rinap/rinap3/Q003496)

Next, as Sennacherib fought his way to Jerusalem, the Cushites tried to come to the rescue again. As he campaigned through the cities of Lachish and Libnah en route to Jerusalem, the Bible records a report that came to Sennacherib, “Then he heard them say concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, ‘He has come out to fight against you.’” (2 Kings 19:8-9; Isaiah 37:9). Again, the Cushites were coming to the rescue!

As much as we might like to see Judah defeat the mighty Assyrian army at this point, the reader must pause and ask: Does God want Judah to win through an alliance with Cush? Do you remember Isaiah 7, when the wicked King Ahaz tried the same approach? Trusting in the world never ends well.

That’s the crucial context for our study of Isaiah 18. How should God’s people respond when the odds are stacked against them: trust in a powerful nation or call out to God?

In verses 1-2, Isaiah addresses the Cushites directly. He acknowledges they are a “powerful and oppressive nation”, a “nation tall and smooth”. But despite their military power, height, and impressive appearance, Yahweh refuses their help.

He sends a message back with the Cushite envoys: He alone will defend His people. Verses 3-6 predict the victory He will give: “the inhabitants of the world” will see and hear Yahweh’s victory “before the harvest”. He will “cut off” the Assyrian army like “sprigs with pruning knives” and “they will be left together for the mountain birds of prey and for the beasts of the earth”. This prediction was fulfilled in the death of 185,000 Assyrian soldiers who had surrounded Jerusalem in 701 BC (2 Kings 19:35; Isaiah 37:36).

The chapter concludes with a second appearance of the Cushite envoys in Jerusalem. This time, instead of an offer for an alliance, verse 7 says they will bring, “a gift of homage…to Yahweh of hosts”. They will bring this gift, “to the place of the name of Yahweh of hosts, even Mount Zion.” In other words, the victory will be so miraculous, even the nations have to recognize the power and faithfulness of Yahweh. That testimony is why Judah must trust Him when they feel weak.

As God’s people, we must likewise remind ourselves of His faithfulness to us and power to deliver us. Only then can we fully trust Him in trials and persecution. We have no need to trust the world for our protection. The Lord Jesus Christ not only saved us from our sin, He is our sovereign protector forever.

Pastor David

6/25/2026 – God's Destruction of Damascus (Isaiah 17)

6/11/2026 – Isaiah 15-16 – David

6/04/2026 – Essentials of the Gospel – Bryan

5/28/2026 – Isaiah 14 – David

5/21/2026 – Christian Living – Bryan

5/14/2026 – The Destruction of Babylon (Isaiah 13) – David

5/07/2026 – The Lord is My Shepherd – Bryan

4/30/2026 – Introduction to Isaiah 13-35 – David

4/23/2026 – Our Contemplation of God – Bryan

4/16/2026 – The Future Salvation of Israel (Isaiah 12) – David

4/9/2026 – The Wrath of God – Bryan