Slideshow image

Overview

Isaiah’s vision is now about Damascus. The capital of Syria. Doom and destruction are coming for them. 

Isaiah 17:1-3

Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city and will become a heap of ruins. The cities of Aroer are deserted; they will be for flocks, which will lie down, and none will make them afraid. The fortress will disappear from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus; and the remnant of Syria will be like the glory of the children of Israel, declares the Lord of hosts.

Syria was Israel’s neighbor to the north. In the times of Isaiah, they had a political alliance, joining with Israel to protect each other’s interest. At one point, they tried to attack Judah, but could not conquer it (Isaiah 7). Therefore, it would make sense that both Damascus (Syria) and Ephraim (Israel–the northern kingdom) would be judged together. 

Isaiah 17:7-9

In that day man will look to his Maker, and his eyes will look on the Holy One of Israel. He will not look to the altars, the work of his hands, and he will not look on what his own fingers have made, either the Asherim or the altars of incense.

Here we go again. Isaiah mentions “the day”. A future day of judgment. A future day of restoration. Mankind will look upon the Holy One of Israel. They will either humble themselves or defiantly shake their fists at God. In reality, this is the plight of every human born into this world. Bow their hearts or shake their fists. There is no in-between. 

Isaiah 17:10-11

For you have forgotten the God of your salvation and have not remembered the Rock of your refuge; therefore, though you plant pleasant plants and sow the vine-branch of a stranger, though you make them grow on the day that you plant them, and make them blossom in the morning that you sow, yet the harvest will flee away in a day of grief and incurable pain.

The nation of Israel had so many advantages. They were the chosen nation. They were the ones that received the revelation of YHWH. They were the ones who housed the ark of the Covenant and the legendary Ten Commandments. They were given the Light. They were supposed to be the light to the nations. But they failed. As verse 10 states, Israel had forgotten about God. They had forgotten that He is their Rock and their Refuge. 

The final verses talk about God’s promise to bring low the nation that comes after Israel and Syria. And God did that. He brought Assyria to their knees. 

Reading the book of Isaiah is quite a roller coaster. Doom and gloom. The rise of Messianic hope. But in a way, this is the similar tension of life in 2025. For the follower of Jesus, we have the hope of Jesus’ return. It is promised. God will accomplish it. But doom and gloom is always on the horizon. AI is growing in strength. Political unrest is stiring. Division and strife continues to knock on our door. But where do you set your eyes? I leave you with the words of Hebrews 12. 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)