1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
2 The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
3 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.
4 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.
5 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.
6 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.
7 At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.
8 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.
9 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.
10 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:
11 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.
12 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!
13 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.
14 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.
Chapter 17 of the Book of Isaiah in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a prophecy against Damascus and Ephraim. It is a prophetic message of judgment and eventual restoration. The chapter can be divided into two main sections: the prophecy against Damascus and Ephraim (verses 1-11) and the prophecy of judgment and restoration (verses 12-14). The main themes that emerge from this chapter are the judgment of God, the consequences of disobedience, and the hope of restoration.
The first section of the chapter (verses 1-11) begins with a prophecy against Damascus, the capital of Syria, and Ephraim, representing the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The prophet Isaiah prophesies that Damascus will become a ruinous heap and that the cities of Aroer will be forsaken. This prophecy is significant because Damascus was one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the ancient world. Therefore, its predicted destruction signified a significant judgment from God.
The prophecy against Ephraim, on the other hand, is a warning to the Northern Kingdom of Israel about the consequences of their disobedience. The prophet Isaiah warns that the glory of Jacob will be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh will wax lean. This metaphor for the decline of Israel's power and prosperity is a direct consequence of their disobedience to God. The prophet also warns that the remnant of Syria will be as the glory of the children of Israel. This suggests that the same fate awaits Ephraim if they do not repent and turn back to God.
The second section of the chapter (verses 12-14) is a prophecy of judgment and restoration. The prophet Isaiah describes a scene of nations in tumult, like the roaring of the seas. This metaphor is often used in the Bible to represent the chaotic and destructive forces of the world. However, the prophet also assures that those who oppress Israel will be chased away like chaff before the wind or like a rolling thing before the whirlwind. This prophecy provides hope for the oppressed people of Israel, assuring them of God's judgment against their oppressors and their eventual restoration.
The chapter concludes with a reminder of God's sovereignty and power. The prophet Isaiah describes how God will rebuke the nations, causing them to flee. This is a reminder that, despite the chaos and destruction, God is ultimately in control. He will bring judgment upon the oppressors and restore His people. The chapter ends with a note of judgment: "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." This reinforces the theme of God's judgment and the consequences of disobedience.
In summary, Chapter 17 of the Book of Isaiah is a prophecy of judgment and restoration. It warns the cities of Damascus and Ephraim about the consequences of their disobedience and prophesies their destruction. However, it also provides a message of hope for the oppressed people of Israel, assuring them of God's judgment against their oppressors and their eventual restoration. The chapter reminds us of God's sovereignty and power, even in the midst of chaos and destruction. It also underscores the importance of obedience to God and the consequences of disobedience.
Chapter 17 of the Book of Isaiah offers a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God. The prophecies against Damascus and Ephraim serve as a warning to all who would turn away from God. However, the chapter also offers a message of hope. Despite the destruction and chaos, God promises to restore His people and to bring judgment upon their oppressors. This dual message of judgment and restoration is a central theme in the prophetic literature of the Bible.
The chapter also underscores the importance of obedience to God. The consequences of disobedience are severe, as illustrated by the prophecies against Damascus and Ephraim. However, God is always ready to restore those who turn back to Him. This message of restoration provides hope for those who are experiencing the consequences of their own disobedience.
In conclusion, Chapter 17 of the Book of Isaiah is a powerful prophecy of judgment and restoration. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the hope of restoration for those who turn back to God. Through this chapter, we are reminded of God's sovereignty and power, even in the midst of chaos and destruction. We are also reminded of the importance of obedience to God and the hope that comes from trusting in His promises of restoration.
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