Isaiah 18:2 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Sendeth — That at this time are sending ambassadors, to strengthen themselves with alliances. Bulrushes — Both the Egyptians and Ethiopians, used boats of rushes or reeds, which were more convenient for them than those of wood, because they were both cheaper and swifter, and lighter for carriage from place to place. These seem to be the words of the prophet, who having pronounced a woe against the land hitherto described, here continues his speech, and gives a commission from God to these messengers, to go to this nation scattered, &c. Then he calls to all nations to be witnesses of the message sent, Isaiah 18:3, and then the message follows in the succeeding verses. Messengers — Whom I have appointed for this work, and tell them what I am about to do with them. Scattered — Not by banishment but in their habitations. Which agrees well to the Ethiopians, for the manner of their habitation, which is more scattered than that of other people. Peeled — Having their hair plucked off. This is metaphorically used in scripture, for some great calamity, whereby men are stripped of all their comforts. And this title may be given to them prophetically, to signify their approaching destruction. Terrible — Such were the Egyptians, and Ethiopians, as appears both from sacred and profane histories. Meted — Meted out as it were with lines to destruction. Trodden — By Divine sentence, and to be trodden down by their enemies. The rivers — Which may be understood of the Assyrians or Babylonians breaking in upon them like a river, and destroying their land and people.