Isaiah 17:1-3
Damascus was the capital city of Syria. Some say Damascus was completely destroyed in 732 B.C. by the Assyrians. However, it remained an economic and cultural center while being homebase to the Assyrian resistance. The city was never reduced to a ruinous heap. There are many who believe the destruction of Damascus is a prelude to many end times scenarios; this is particularly interesting idea when the Russians and Iranians (and others) are present in Syria around Damascus and Aleppo.
Aroer is thought to be a neighborhood of Damascus; the name means 'stripped bare'. This may be a play on words to add emphasis to the complete destruction. This area will become a home to flocks with no care or fear that anyone will disturb them. The fate of Damascus is likened to that of Israel; the fortress of Ephraim and the kingdom of Damascus will be ruined. There will be no glory for Israel and it will be carried off in captivity; the remnant of Syria will be like them, with no glory.
Isaiah 17:4-8
The northern 10 tribes joined up with Syria to stand against the Assyrians. They are included in this oracle against Damascus. The glory of the ten tribes and the region known as Israel will come under God's judgment. 'In that day' their glory will wane and they will suffer lean times.
The harvester is probably a picture of this judgment. They will be gathered and reaped in judgment by the Assyrians like they were gathering grain in this farming valley. The gleaning grapes are the few that are left after the harvest of judgment. They are pictured as a few grapes left on the vine or a few olives still on the tree.
'In that day' they will look to God in repentance and realization of what was going on. Likewise, they won't look to the worthless idols. The judgment will bring them to a realization of God's expectation for them, holiness, righteousness and comprehension of their sin of idolatry.
Isaiah 17:9-11
This day will bring desolation on the scale as seen when Israel came on the abandoned Canaanite cities in the days of Joshua. They were abandoned, forsaken, forgotten; Damascus and Aroer will be like this. This may also include the cities of Ephraim, particularly the original Canaanite cities.
Why is this happening? No doubt, when that day came, many would ask that question. Isaiah gives them the answer before they ask the question. Yet, when the question isn't on their mind, the answer is summarily dismissed. They may remember it later.
The answer Isaiah gives them: they forgot God. When the were abiding and obedient, the Lord was their Rock and fortress? Because they had forsaken God, they would not have His blessing and protection. By the work of their hand they would seek to have security by having a coalition with Syria. This was like a seedling of sprouting when they needed forest. It would come to nothing and the harvest of judgment would bring it to ruin. Instead of a harvest time being a celebration and feast, there would instead be grief and sorrow.
Isaiah 17:12-14
The wicked seem to be described many times like rushing waters and a foaming sea. It's a picture of chaos, death and destruction. There are multitudes that make a lot of noise that amounts to nothing good. At God's rebuke they will flee away. They will be blown away like the chaff in the wind. We can have this hope in His sovereignty when we feel like we are in the midst of these chaotic rushing waters, foaming seas of destruction and noise. He is able to glow it away as if it were nothing!
This last part may have been to give Judah hope in the midst of the oracle. The wicked and idolatrous would be no more. Those who plundered and robbed would see their end.
©2018 Doug Ford
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