Isaiah 5:26

An ensign. Heb. ties, “signal,” “sign,” “standard.” In ancient times the fastest means of communication was by signal fires or smoke displayed from hilltop to hilltop. Similarly God announces that He will send a message to the nations. This ancient means of communication provided Isaiah with a figure he frequently employed (see chs. 11:10, 12; 13:2; 18:3; 49:22; 62:10). God’s “ensign” might be a sign on earth or in the heavens, and was any message the Lord might send, whether by angelic or human messenger, by natural phenomena, or by any other means He might employ to speak to the hearts of men. When God speaks to the nations they will respond by sending forth their armies (see ch. 5:26-30). In this case Isaiah refers particularly to the Assyrians, soon to invade Palestine (see ch. 10:5-7).

Hiss. Literally, “whistle.” As the “ensign” was a signal to the eye, so the “whistle” would be to the ear. Both would be understood by the nations, which would respond speedily to the Lord’s call.