By Eugene Garner

ISAIAH - CHAPTER 17

CONCERNING DAMASCUS AND SAMARIA

   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, 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.

    1. Damascus, Capital of Syria, is to become a heap of ruins, (vs. 1; cf. 7:16; 8:4; 25:2; Micah 1:6).
    2. Deserted, the towns of Aroer will become a peaceable dwelling for flocks, (comp. Ezek. 25:5; Zeph. 2:6).
    3. As already indicated to Ahaz (7:7-9, 16; 8:4), the defences of both Israel and Syria will be overrun by the king of Assyria.
    4. The glory of Israel will be cut off - his fatness turned to leanness; a very small amount (like gleanings at harvest-time) will be left, (vs. 4-6; comp. Hos. 9:11; Isa. 10:3, 16).

   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 desperate sorrow.

    1. When the hand of divine judgment is stretched out, Israel will realize how desperately she needs a right relationship with her Maker, (10:20; Hos. 3:5; 6:1; cf. 51:13; 55:4).
    2. In the day of her trouble, they will not look to the idols or altars that have been made with their own hands - their Asherim or sun-images, vs. 8; 2:8, 20; 30:22; 27:9; 2 Chron. 34:7; Ex. 34:13; Deut. 7:4-5).
    3. The cities of Israel will become as desolate as those of the heathen who fled before the approach of their ancient fathers, in whose midst God dwelt, (vs. 9; 7:25).
    4. They have forgotten the God of their salvation, and been unmindful of the Rock in whom they might have found refuge; (vs. l0a; 52:13; 12:2; 33:2; 61:10; 62:11; 26:4; 30:29; 44:8).
    5. It was due to this forgetfulness of the Most High that they could so carefully plant and nourish their vine-slips in honor of idol gods, (vs. l0b).
    6. Though beautiful to look upon, they would not help in the day of trouble; the harvest would prove to be a heap - to the grief and sorrow of the idolaters, (vs. 11; Job 4:8; Hos. 8:7; 10:13).
    7. Let it be clearly recognized that idolatry (even on the part of the Jews) is not entirely a thing of the past.
      a. It is very prevalent today - taking many forms, such as: humanistic philosophy, pride in national heritage and accomplishments, trust in military supremacy, etc.
    b. And it will be very widespread in the day of our Lord's return, (Isa. 2:20-22; Psa. 97:7; 96:5; Hos. 13:8; Zech. 10:2; Rev. 9:20).
    c. The ultimate idolatry will be in the acceptance of the antichrist as the true Messiah, (Jn. 5:43; Dan. 9:27).

   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.

    1. Here is a far-reaching prophecy designed for the assurance of those in Judah who are trusting in Jehovah; though the near view may anticipate the coming of Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:32-35), the far view looks toward the end of the age and the second coming of our Lord.
    2. The picture here suggests a confederacy of many nations whose armies, like the rushing of an incoming tide come against the Lord's anointed - intent upon their destruction, (vs. 12-13a; 5:30; 8:9-10; 13:4; Ezek. 33:3).
    3. But, a "woe" is upon them; at the Lord's rebuke they will flee afar off - two figures being used to describe their flight, (vs. 13b; 41:11; Psa. 9:5; Isa. 13:14; see Rev. 19).
      a. They will be driven "as chaff" before the mountain winds, (19:5; 41: 15-16; Job 21:18; Psa. 1:4).
      b. Like a rolling thing before a tornado, (Psa. 83:13).
    4. The contrast between "eveningtide" and "morning" is deeply suggestive. If one will follow these thoughts throughout the scriptures he will find them a basis for great joy, (Psa. 30:5; 2 Sam. 23:1-4).
      a. "Eveningtide" suggests the approach of "night" wherein trials, troubles, heartaches, sorrow and death run their course.
      b. By way of contrast, "the morning" (heralded by the coming of "the Day Star", 2 Pet. 1:19) alludes to the coming Day of the Lord which will bring an end to the night of trouble - the new day dawning with eternal joy and peace for the righteous, while the wicked are forever cut off, (Psa. 49:14-15; 46:5; 110:2-3; Rev. 2:26-28; cf. 22:16).