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Isaiah 18:4
ESV For thus the Lord said to me: "I will quietly look from my dwelling like clear heat in sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest."
NIV This is what the Lord says to me: "I will remain quiet and will look on from my dwelling place, like shimmering heat in the sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest."
NASB For this is what the Lord has told me: 'I will quietly look from My dwelling place Like dazzling heat in the sunshine, Like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.'
CSB For the Lord said to me: I will quietly look out from my place, like shimmering heat in sunshine, like a rain cloud in harvest heat.
NLT For the Lord has told me this: 'I will watch quietly from my dwelling place — as quietly as the heat rises on a summer day, or as the morning dew forms during the harvest.'
KJV For so the Lord said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.
NKJV For so the Lord said to me, “I will take My rest, And I will look from My dwelling place Like clear heat in sunshine, Like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.”

What does Isaiah 18:4 mean?

This chapter implies the concern felt throughout the world about the threat posed by the powerful Assyrian Empire. Everyone had heard the stories about the war machine leaving devastation in one city after another. How should the leaders of the nations prepare for this invasion? Should they form alliances with other nations to become more powerful together in hopes of defending themselves? Or should they give up and offer tributes to the Assyrians before it was too late?

Isaiah has called all the nations of the earth to look for a signal, presumably from the Lord (Isaiah 18:3). They should wait on Him to see what action the Lord will take against the Assyrians. He is still the one in control, not the enemy everyone fears. The Lord will act when the time is right. And at that time, everyone will know it was God.

Now, Isaiah says the Lord has revealed that the time for action has not yet come. Instead, God will continue to wait. His waiting will be like burning sunshine that builds and builds intense heat. The Lord's waiting is like the collecting of evaporated dew into a cloud: God is building up and accumulating His judgement to unleash it on His enemies.

Israelites may have wondered why the Lord waited to strike the cruel and godless Assyrians. They would not have fully understood His purpose: using Assyria to bring His judgment on His own people for their faithlessness. Then, in His time, He would end Assyria's reign of terror on the earth (Isaiah 10:12, 25, 32).
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