Preparing for Deliverance

In the previous chapter (Isaiah 16):

Isaiah prophesies a message concerning the judgement of the entire nation of Moab. He details how fear and panic will spread even before the judgement arrives, but when it finally does come, Moab will be left few in number.

The LORD commands the nation of Israel to be a refuge for the Moabites who survive the judgement. Remember the Moabites are descendants of Lot, who was a survivor in the judgement of Sodom. “So when God destroyed the cities of the plain (Sodom and Gamorah), he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.” - Genesis 19:29

In this chapter (Isaiah 17):
Isaiah explains his burdensome message concerning the hardships that the LORD had set to fall upon Damascus, the capital city of Syria (part of Northern Kingdom of Israel). God takes no pleasure in this report, for he hoped to bless them if they remembered to seek him, but they did not and so judgement is on its way.

Eventually God will take back the sorrows that he sent on Damascus, and turn his judgement toward the very ones that plundered his people (in this case the Assyrians).

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Isaiah 17 (A Prophecy against the Northern Kingdom of Israel)

Read - Isaiah 17:1-6

Demascus , one of the oldest functioning cities in the world today, is the focus of this prophecy of burdens here in Isaiah 17. Isaiah proclaims to the people of Damascus in his day,  that this powerful capital city of Syria will be transformed from a city into a heap of ruins (v.1) and will be deserted forever (v.2).

Isaiah says that they will suffer the same fate that the Southern kingdom did as described in the first 12 chapters of Isaiah, in which the glory of Judah was brought low.

Isaiah paints the picture that the destruction headed for the Northern Kingdom of Israel will be so complete, it will be as if Ephraim and Damascus’ fortresses and kingdoms simply disappeared. It is indeed a burdensome judgement, and probably a burden for Isaiah to hear from God as well as a burden to proclaim to his people.

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Read - Isaiah 17:7-9

“7 On that day people will regard their Maker, and their eyes will look to the Holy One of Israel; 8 they will not have regard for the altars, the work of their hands, and they will not look to what their own fingers have made, either the sacred poles or the altars of incense. 9 On that day their strong cities will be like the deserted places of the Hivites and the Amorites, which they deserted because of the children of Israel, and there will be desolation.”

Here we are reminded of the ultimate purpose of God's judgment; to cause humanity to come to their senses and regard their Maker (v.7). In times of trial, we are often made aware of the things in our lives that stand between us and a right relationship with God; all those things we have put our hope in yet that seem to fail to give us the peace that surprises all understanding when we need it most. (Philippians 4:7)

In the days of Israel's obedience, their favor with God made many of their enemies simply flee from their cities without a fight or battle because they knew that Israel would easily destroy them. Verse 9 contrasts that past favor with their present disgrace due to their unfaithfulness, stating that now Israel will be the one whose cities are left empty and desolate.

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Read - Isaiah 17:10-11

The agricultural nature of societies of that day is again used metaphorically by Isaiah to describe the specific reason for the coming judgement. It is because these Northern kingdoms have sown unfaithfulness and planted themselves in the presence of an alien god (v.10), that they will reap a harvest of sorrow and judgement.

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Read - Isaiah 17:12-14

The idea here is that the people have rushed and roared to break God’s Law, so God’s judgement will rush and roar towards them and send them fleeing far away (v.13).

Finally the LORD will withdraw his hand before morning (v.14), and the fate of judgement that fell on his people will turn and become the fate of the Assyrians (whom God used to judge them).

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Reflection:

1. Have you ever forgotten the God of your salvation (v.10)?

2. How do you remember your Maker (v.7) in the middle of your sorrow?

I invite you to pray with me:

Faithful God,

There are so many things that have the potential to distract me from you and sometimes I fall prone to those destructions. Yet I praise you, LORD, because even when I forget you, you never forget me. Even when I stray away from you, your watchful eye never has me out of sight. And so because you are so faithful to me, I want to be faithful back to you. Even while I experience hardships, help me stand on your word so that my actions are rooted in faith and not in fear. And as I await your final judgment, a season of great tribulation followed by eternal victory, help me to remember your unconditional love, which always motivates your people to increase in faith and in our commitment to you, in Jesus Name! Amen.