Verse 26: “And a banner will be lifted up to the nations from afar, and He will whistle to the ends of the earth and behold swiftly and quickly they shall come.”

A banner will be lifted up to the nations from afar: This is one of the verses that alludes to God using other nations to bring judgment against His people. Although the Babylonians executed judgment shortly after Isaiah’s time, it will be the antichrist empire that brings it
about in the last days (Zechariah 14:1-2, Luke 21:20).

Verse 27: “No one among them will grow tired or stumble, no one will slumber or sleep, nor will the belt on their loins be loosed, nor the strap of their sandals be broken.”

Stumble: None of them will fail.

Nor will the belt on their loins be loosed: They will not need to take a break or relax. This enemy is going to keep going harshly and continuously for an extended period of time.

Nothing will interfere with this judgment until it comes to an end.

Verse 28: “Whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent; their horses’ hooves will seem like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind.”
Sharp… bent: Their weapons are well prepared and are ready to fire. Flint: The horses’ hooves are hard. They will not need to exchange horses or reshoe their horses as these hooves are going to endure throughout this period.

Their wheels like a whirlwind: Their judgment is going to come swiftly, with very little warning.

Verse 29: “Their roaring will be like a lion, they will roar like young lions; yes, they will roar, and grab hold of the prey; they will carry it away safely and no one will deliver.”

Young lions: Powerful and glorious lions.

No one will deliver: Israel is going to be alone until the proper amount of judgment, that God is going to allow, is completed. Before that allotted time is up, no one will be able to deliver or save Israel.


Verse 30: “They will roar against them, in that day, like the roaring of the sea. And if one looks to the land, Behold, darkness and sorrow; and the light is darkened by the clouds.”

Roar against them like the roaring of the sea: Israel’s enemies are going to seek to intimidate them.

In that day: Referring to the day of Judgment.

Darkness: This darkness is oppressive. Darkness brings pressure or stress. The light is darkened by the clouds: This is a major change that happens. It is a change that is physical, it is visible.

Note: We need to remember that judgment brings about a righteous outcome. Israel will only understand the consequence of her sin through judgment. It is only after she understands that she is sinful that she can repent and begin looking for Messiah – her salvation.