Isaiah 5:26 He will also lift up a standard to the distant nation, and will whistle for it from the ends of the earth; and behold, it will come with speed swiftly.
The nation is not specifically named. There is a hint in the language. The first is with the term distant. It is the Hebrew word rachowq. In the Hebrew it means: remote, far, distant, distant lands, distant ones, of distance. The text also states this nation will come from “the ends of the earth”. The extremity of the earth is the idea (Strong’s Concordance).
There are many ideas about this nation. Some think this was fulfilled with Babylon lead by Nebuchadnezzar at Carchemish in 605BC (Wycliffe Bible Commentary). Charles Ryrie commented that the nation could be Assyria or Babylon. History tells us the Romans stormed Israel in 70 AD. All of these events would be future to the time of Isaiah and his writing. These are all factors of consideration.
Another point of consideration is the future. Daniel 9:27 speaks of a man who will form a peace covenant with the Jewish people in a day that is future to us in 2012. “And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.”
Jesus quotes this same verse of Daniel when he refers to difficult times to come in Matthew 24:15-28. The context of Jesus’ words is in regards to His return. These events will initiate when the events of Daniel 9:27 occur. Jesus talks of a great tribulation that has never occurred since the beginning of the world. His directions are specific. Get out of Judea and go to the mountains. Do not hesitate and go immediately. Jesus warns of false prophets claiming to be Him, signs and wonders. Guard against being deceived.
This nation is like an obedient dog being called and whistled to come here. God gives them a signal and a hiss to get their attention. The nation is as hostile as it can be toward the Jewish people. This nation wastes no time and comes in haste. They are fleet and eager. Yet, God has complete control of them.
History does repeat itself.
