The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the Lord of hosts.
And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean.
And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.
Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the Lord God of Israel.
At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.
And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.
In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel: and there shall be desolation.
Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips:
In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.
Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!
The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.
And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.
Isaiah 17 focuses on a prophecy concerning Damascus and Ephraim (Israel), revealing God's judgment upon them for their idolatry and alliances against Him. However, within this message of judgment lies a glimmer of hope, a promise that a remnant will turn back to the Lord. This chapter, while speaking of destruction, ultimately points to God's sovereignty and the enduring nature of His covenant. Understanding Isaiah 17 is crucial for grasping the complexities of God's character – His justice and His mercy interwoven.
Context: Nations in Turmoil
Isaiah 13-16 contains prophecies against various nations like Assyria, Babylon, and Moab. Isaiah 17 shifts the focus to an earlier period, addressing Damascus and Israel's impending doom. Damascus, the capital of Syria (Aram), had a long history of conflict with Israel (2 Kings 5:1). The alliance between Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) against the growing threat of Assyria sets the stage for this prophecy (Isaiah 7).
The Fall of Damascus and Ephraim (Isaiah 17:1-6)
The prophecy begins with a stark declaration: "Damascus will cease to be a city and will become a heap of ruins" (Isaiah 17:1). This wasn't merely a military defeat; it was a complete devastation. The cities south of Damascus would also be deserted (Isaiah 17:2).
Importantly, the prophecy doesn't stop with Syria. Ephraim, representing the northern kingdom of Israel, would share in this destruction (Isaiah 17:3). Their alliance with Syria against Assyria proved to be a fatal mistake. Isaiah vividly portrays Israel's demise, comparing it to a healthy person slowly wasting away due to illness (Isaiah 17:4). The nation's strength and glory would diminish to almost nothing, like gleanings left after harvest (Isaiah 17:5-6). This oracle found its fulfillment in 732 BC when the Assyrians conquered Damascus and decimated much of Israel, carrying its people into exile (Isaiah 17:3). The Assyrians, after defeating Aram in 732 BC, destroyed Israel in 722 BC, exiling its people and repopulating the land with foreigners.
Turning Back to the Creator (Isaiah 17:7-11)
Amidst this devastation, a ray of hope emerges. Isaiah prophesies that the remnant of Israel will finally turn to their Creator, the Lord God, instead of idols (Isaiah 17:7). They would realize the powerlessness of their false gods and return to the Holy One of Israel. They will stop using false altars, incense, and pagan fertility gods like Asherim.
However, this turning doesn't avert the impending disaster for the northern kingdom. Though individual Israelites may have been restored to a right relationship with God, it was too late to prevent the defeat. Desolation was inevitable because "you have forgotten the God of your salvation and have not remembered the rock of your refuge" (Isaiah 17:10).
Isaiah uses the image of planting a "choice vine" (Isaiah 17:10) only to find grief and incurable pain at harvest time to illustrate the futility of idolatry. The people had devoted themselves to something that ultimately yielded nothing but sorrow.
God's Rebuke and the Scattering of Nations (Isaiah 17:12-14)
The chapter concludes with a powerful depiction of God's sovereignty over the nations. The "tumult of many peoples" (Isaiah 17:12), the roaring of approaching enemy nations, is likened to a violent storm. However, the Lord rebukes them, and they flee "like chaff on the hills before the wind" (Isaiah 17:13). He is a refuge and a protector for those who trust in Him. No matter how powerful, the nations are nothing before God. He rebukes them, and they flee (Isaiah 17:13). This section emphasizes that even amidst chaos and destruction, God is in control, and His power is unmatched.
Lessons for Today
Isaiah 17 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of idolatry and turning away from God. It highlights the importance of:
- Remembering God's Salvation: We must constantly remember God's saving acts in our lives and remain faithful to Him.
- Avoiding Futile Pursuits: We should be wary of investing our time and energy into things that offer no lasting value or spiritual fulfillment.
- Trusting in God's Sovereignty: Even when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, we can trust that God is in control and will ultimately prevail.
While Isaiah 17 speaks of judgment, it also offers hope. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, God's mercy is available to those who turn to Him. The prophecy serves as a call to repentance and a reminder of the enduring nature of God's love and faithfulness.
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the Lord of hosts.
And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean.
And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.
Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the Lord God of Israel.
At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.
And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.
In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel: and there shall be desolation.
Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips:
In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.
Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!
The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.
And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.
Isaiah 17 focuses on a prophecy concerning Damascus and Ephraim (Israel), revealing God's judgment upon them for their idolatry and alliances against Him. However, within this message of judgment lies a glimmer of hope, a promise that a remnant will turn back to the Lord. This chapter, while speaking of destruction, ultimately points to God's sovereignty and the enduring nature of His covenant. Understanding Isaiah 17 is crucial for grasping the complexities of God's character – His justice and His mercy interwoven.
Context: Nations in Turmoil
Isaiah 13-16 contains prophecies against various nations like Assyria, Babylon, and Moab. Isaiah 17 shifts the focus to an earlier period, addressing Damascus and Israel's impending doom. Damascus, the capital of Syria (Aram), had a long history of conflict with Israel (2 Kings 5:1). The alliance between Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) against the growing threat of Assyria sets the stage for this prophecy (Isaiah 7).
The Fall of Damascus and Ephraim (Isaiah 17:1-6)
The prophecy begins with a stark declaration: "Damascus will cease to be a city and will become a heap of ruins" (Isaiah 17:1). This wasn't merely a military defeat; it was a complete devastation. The cities south of Damascus would also be deserted (Isaiah 17:2).
Importantly, the prophecy doesn't stop with Syria. Ephraim, representing the northern kingdom of Israel, would share in this destruction (Isaiah 17:3). Their alliance with Syria against Assyria proved to be a fatal mistake. Isaiah vividly portrays Israel's demise, comparing it to a healthy person slowly wasting away due to illness (Isaiah 17:4). The nation's strength and glory would diminish to almost nothing, like gleanings left after harvest (Isaiah 17:5-6). This oracle found its fulfillment in 732 BC when the Assyrians conquered Damascus and decimated much of Israel, carrying its people into exile (Isaiah 17:3). The Assyrians, after defeating Aram in 732 BC, destroyed Israel in 722 BC, exiling its people and repopulating the land with foreigners.
Turning Back to the Creator (Isaiah 17:7-11)
Amidst this devastation, a ray of hope emerges. Isaiah prophesies that the remnant of Israel will finally turn to their Creator, the Lord God, instead of idols (Isaiah 17:7). They would realize the powerlessness of their false gods and return to the Holy One of Israel. They will stop using false altars, incense, and pagan fertility gods like Asherim.
However, this turning doesn't avert the impending disaster for the northern kingdom. Though individual Israelites may have been restored to a right relationship with God, it was too late to prevent the defeat. Desolation was inevitable because "you have forgotten the God of your salvation and have not remembered the rock of your refuge" (Isaiah 17:10).
Isaiah uses the image of planting a "choice vine" (Isaiah 17:10) only to find grief and incurable pain at harvest time to illustrate the futility of idolatry. The people had devoted themselves to something that ultimately yielded nothing but sorrow.
God's Rebuke and the Scattering of Nations (Isaiah 17:12-14)
The chapter concludes with a powerful depiction of God's sovereignty over the nations. The "tumult of many peoples" (Isaiah 17:12), the roaring of approaching enemy nations, is likened to a violent storm. However, the Lord rebukes them, and they flee "like chaff on the hills before the wind" (Isaiah 17:13). He is a refuge and a protector for those who trust in Him. No matter how powerful, the nations are nothing before God. He rebukes them, and they flee (Isaiah 17:13). This section emphasizes that even amidst chaos and destruction, God is in control, and His power is unmatched.
Lessons for Today
Isaiah 17 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of idolatry and turning away from God. It highlights the importance of:
- Remembering God's Salvation: We must constantly remember God's saving acts in our lives and remain faithful to Him.
- Avoiding Futile Pursuits: We should be wary of investing our time and energy into things that offer no lasting value or spiritual fulfillment.
- Trusting in God's Sovereignty: Even when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, we can trust that God is in control and will ultimately prevail.
While Isaiah 17 speaks of judgment, it also offers hope. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, God's mercy is available to those who turn to Him. The prophecy serves as a call to repentance and a reminder of the enduring nature of God's love and faithfulness.