Verse 18: “And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord will whistle to the fly, which is at the end of the Nile River, and also to the bee which is in the land of Assyria.”

In that day: This phrase is going to repeat itself in the next few verses. Usually this is an expression that refers to the day of God’s Judgment. In this chapter we have read about the birth of Messiah – a prophecy given at least 700 years before His birth (confirmed in the short-term by the birth of Isaiah’s son). Similarly, although this prophecy was given more than 2700 years ago, most scholars believe that it has implications for our future – and for that final Judgment Day. This passage teaches us how to be faithful in the last days. It
teaches us how to trust God.

Note: Although this prophecy has long term implications it also had a short-term fulfilment in the days of King Josiah – a couple of generations after this prophecy was given [see 2 Chronicles 35:20-22 – God summoned Necho (‘the fly’ – God’s vessel/provision to defend Judah at the time of Josiah) from Egypt to fight for Him against Assyria (‘the bee’) around 609BC].

Nile River: The river in Egypt

Verse 19: “And they shall come, and they shall encamp in the desolate riverbeds, and in the clefts of the rocks, and in every place that is full of thorns and in every pasture.”

Riverbed: This is a place that is full of water in the winter, but dry in the summer (In Israel it rains in winter and is dry and hot in summer).

Clefts: Holes in the rocks.

Note: The armies are going to come and camp out in the land of Israel. They are going to gather for a large battle that will take place specifically in Judah (Zechariah 12:3-9, Zechariah 14:1-4). They have done this in the past, but they will do it again in the future.

Verse 20: “In that day the Lord will shave with a razor the one that He rented in the far places of the River; for with the King of Assyria the hair on his head is going to be shaven and even the hair of his legs and also his beard.”

Lord: Adonai. The Master.

The one that He rented (hired): Referring to the King of Assyria.

The River: Egypt is associated with the Nile River. Babylon is associated with the Euphrates River and Assyria is associated with the Tigres River. Therefore this is referring to the Tigres River.

Shave … the hair on his head … even the hair of his legs and also his beard: The king of Assyria is going to be shamed. Some commentators say that the head refers to the king himself, the legs refer to his armies and the beard speaks about his empire. All of these are going to be defeated and put to shame.

Note 1: What God is doing here is teaching the people about His ability to defeat their enemies. God is able to bring deliverance and victory. He is able to bring salvation for His people – for all those who trust in Him.

Note 2: God judged Assyria and brought victory to Judah. In the same way we should expect that in the last days God is once again going to bring victory – not only for His New Covenant people, but (as a fulfilment of His promises) for His Old Covenant people.