Isaiah 17: 1 to 18: 7
Don’t Laugh Syria, You’re Next
1 The burden against Damascus.“ Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap. 2 The cities of Aroer are forsaken; They will be for flocks which lie down, and no one will make them afraid. 3 The fortress also will cease from Ephraim, the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria; They will be as the glory of the children of Israel,” says the LORD of hosts. 4 “ In that day it shall come to pass that the glory of Jacob will wane, and the fatness of his flesh grow lean. 5 It shall be as when the harvester gathers the grain, and reaps the heads with his arm; It shall be as he who gathers heads of grain in the Valley of Rephaim. 6 Yet gleaning grapes will be left in it, like the shaking of an olive tree, two or three olives at the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in its most fruitful branches,” says the LORD God of Israel. 7 In that day a man will look to his Maker, and his eyes will have respect for the Holy One of Israel. 8 He will not look to the altars, the work of his hands; He will not respect what his fingers have made, nor the wooden images nor the incense altars. 9 In that day his strong cities will be as a forsaken bough and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel; And there will be desolation. 10 Because you have forgotten the God of your salvation, and have not been mindful of the Rock of your stronghold, therefore you will plant pleasant plants and set out foreign seedlings; 11 In the day you will make your plant to grow, and in the morning you will make your seed to flourish; But the harvest will be a heap of ruins in the day of grief and desperate sorrow. 12 Woe to the multitude of many people who make a noise like the roar of the seas, and to the rushing of nations that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters! 13 The nations will rush like the rushing of many waters; But God will rebuke them and they will flee far away, and be chased like the chaff of the mountains before the wind, like a rolling thing before the whirlwind. 14 Then behold, at eventide, trouble! And before the morning, he is no more. This is the portion of those who plunder us, and the lot of those who rob us.
1 Woe to the land shadowed with buzzing wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, 2 Which sends ambassadors by sea, even in vessels of reed on the waters, saying, “Go, swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth of skin,to a people terrible from their beginning onward, a nation powerful and treading down, whose land the rivers divide.” 3 All inhabitants of the world and dwellers on the earth: When he lifts up a banner on the mountains, you see it; And when he blows a trumpet, you hear it. 4 For so the LORD said to me, “I will take My rest, and I will look from My dwelling place like clear heat in sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.” 5 For before the harvest, when the bud is perfect and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, He will both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks and take away and cut down the branches. 6 They will be left together for the mountain birds of prey and for the beasts of the earth; The birds of prey will summer on them, and all the beasts of the earth will winter on them. 7 In that time a present will be brought to the LORD of hosts from a people tall and smooth of skin, and from a people terrible from their beginning onward, a nation powerful and treading down, whose land the rivers divide— To the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, to Mount Zion.
Today we are going to look at a prophecy that has yet to be fulfilled. If you look on a map and glance at the Middle East and focus on the nation of Syria, you will see that the city of Damascus is still there. It is one of the oldest cities still in existence and the prophecy of its total destruction has not yet happened. Have you ever wondered why? Or have you even asked yourself this question?
1 The burden against Damascus.“ Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap. 2 The cities of Aroer are forsaken; They will be for flocks which lie down, and no one will make them afraid. 3 The fortress also will cease from Ephraim, the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria; They will be as the glory of the children of Israel,” says the LORD of hosts.
It amazes me how the countries in the Middle East are Muslims. I mean, for example, if you were Egyptian, and you know from historical fact of how your country was the leading empire in the world at one point in history and now you are struggling to be even a third rate country. I would take notice and follow what the Bible says. The Egyptians know that at one point in their country that there was a great famine and about four hundred and some years later their country was nothing. If you searched ancient records you would read about the shepherd people who left your land. I would at least investigate the Bible and see if there is any more mention of where I live. The same would apply to me if I was a Syrian.
In the ancient texts of the Israelites their God had something to say about Syria. That is why a lot of us ask if there is any mention of the United States in Scripture. To see if God has something to say that will happen to us. I want to know. How about you?
The clear message from Jehovah Elyon – The Lord Most High – first of all speaks about a future ruin of the country. Now, that would get my attention. Look at verse one again. Syria’s was once a major player in the world. Yet, our Precious Adoni Yahweh says that their power and influence will be removed from the pages of history – ‘1 The burden against Damascus.“ Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap.’
The impact of the devastation that God will cause to happen to this country will be so great that no human beings will live there anymore, only animals will settle in this area – ‘2 The cities of Aroer are forsaken; They will be for flocks which lie down, and no one will make them afraid.’
If you watch the news today you will see how much a pain this country is today on the citizens of Israel. Yet they should do all their laughing now, for soon, it will be their turn to be thoroughly dealt with. –‘ 3 The fortress also will cease from Ephraim, the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria; They will be as the glory of the children of Israel,” says the LORD of hosts.’ Their intimidation of God’s elect will come to an end. If you want to know how bad it will get for the Syrians look no farther then verse 4 thru 6.
4 “ In that day it shall come to pass that the glory of Jacob will wane, and the fatness of his flesh grow lean. 5 It shall be as when the harvester gathers the grain, and reaps the heads with his arm; It shall be as he who gathers heads of grain in the Valley of Rephaim. 6 Yet gleaning grapes will be left in it, like the shaking of an olive tree, two or three olives at the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in its most fruitful branches,” says the LORD God of Israel.
Have you ever watched an old person ‘wane’ away? This is what our Lord Is saying to the nation of Syria. In their glory this nation was blessed to be the neighbor of Israel. But our Lord says that Israel has started to shrivel up and as a result the same was going to happen to Syria - 4 “ In that day it shall come to pass that the glory of Jacob will wane, and the fatness of his flesh grow lean.
Men will labor and their harvest will only produce small outcomes - 5 It shall be as when the harvester gathers the grain, and reaps the heads with his arm; It shall be as he who gathers heads of grain in the Valley of Rephaim. 6 Yet gleaning grapes will be left in it, like the shaking of an olive tree, two or three olives at the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in its most fruitful branches,” says the LORD God of Israel.’
People are afraid of the book of Revelation, and rightly so, in chapter 3 we read similar consequences caused by the 4 horsemen and they weren’t from the Notre Dame football team – “5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.”
Here we read that a person will work all day just to obtain enough money to be able to feed just him for the day.
I do not know if you were around for the gas shortages that we experienced in the US, or with the sugar or the toilet paper shortages, or even the ‘Cabbage Patch’ dolls but I did, and boy, did you witness human behavior at its worse. We do not realize it but we are beginning to experience shortages of food and like the frog in the boiling water, we have no idea what is really happening in our world. Yet, soon we will experience these difficulties just as we read here in the book of Isaiah.
But that is okay we think, after all, we are highly intelligent. We can fend for ourselves. If we are really honest do you think we can overcome? They say that there are no atheists in foxholes. Just ask any military veteran who has seen action. When we face the perils of life and death, wanting God on your side is highly desired.
7 In that day a man will look to his Maker, and his eyes will have respect for the Holy One of Israel. 8 He will not look to the altars, the work of his hands; He will not respect what his fingers have made, nor the wooden images nor the incense altars.
As our Lord has thoroughly pointed out to us in previous chapters religious ceremonies are worthless. You can pray your heart out and do all kinds of good works but it will avail you nada. Only the Mercy and Grace of abiding in His Love can save us.
9 In that day his strong cities will be as a forsaken bough and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel; And there will be desolation. 10 Because you have forgotten the God of your salvation, and have not been mindful of the Rock of your stronghold, therefore you will plant pleasant plants and set out foreign seedlings; 11 In the day you will make your plant to grow, and in the morning you will make your seed to flourish; But the harvest will be a heap of ruins in the day of grief and desperate sorrow.
The problem that leads to the terrible destruction did not originate in Syria alone. Mankind has been doing this from the beginning and still does so today. For example if you look at the US, what do we take great pride in? What do colleges and major sport team fans shout out? “We are number one!” We are the number one world power today. We have pride that we can accomplish anything. We can do it all. We are invincible. Oh, really? I think 9/11 brought us to our senses. We are not invulnerable as we think? - 9 In that day his strong cities will be as a forsaken bough and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel; And there will be desolation.’
It is interesting that if you point your finger of blame at someone else than yourself, you forget that three fingers are pointing right back at you. I do not know about you but there are many times I get real stupid. I forget that everything is about and for our Holy God. Sometimes without thinking I decide to not bother God with handing some problems or situations. You definitely know my outcome – failure. The Israelites however were doing this consistently and forgot to ever trust our Holy King – ‘10 Because you have forgotten the God of your salvation, and have not been mindful of the Rock of your stronghold, therefore you will plant pleasant plants and set out foreign seedlings; 11 In the day you will make your plant to grow, and in the morning you will make your seed to flourish; But the harvest will be a heap of ruins in the day of grief and desperate sorrow.’
There is even more things bizarre in these verses. You see we had tree huggers even back in ancient times. A ritual in pagan religions was to allow plants to die as a re-enactment of the life cycle. This kind of American Indian war dance was to please the gods for a good harvest.
12 Woe to the multitude of many people who make a noise like the roar of the seas, and to the rushing of nations that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters! 13 The nations will rush like the rushing of many waters; But God will rebuke them and they will flee far away, and be chased like the chaff of the mountains before the wind, like a rolling thing before the whirlwind. 14 Then behold, at eventide, trouble! And before the morning, he is no more. This is the portion of those who plunder us, and the lot of those who rob us.
Have you ever heard the statement that ‘he is all bark and no bite’? Our Precious Supreme Majesty is saying the same thing to all the proud nations who are marching forth to conquer and take spoil – ‘12 Woe to the multitude of many people who make a noise like the roar of the seas, and to the rushing of nations that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!’
History not learned will often be repeated. When you mess with God’s chosen, the tables will be turned ultimately against you. Nations and individual never take the time to understand this significant point. There isn’t many David’s slaying Goliath today. If you put together a group of former baseball players, I would say you would not have a chance to beat the starting lineup of the Phillies. Would you agree? Our Lord specifies a ‘Woe’ upon these nations who are whooping it up in frenzy as though they will be the victor.
You have to remember that you are not fighting against flesh and blood but against El Shaddai = God Almighty! – ‘13 The nations will rush like the rushing of many waters; But God will rebuke them and they will flee far away, and be chased like the chaff of the mountains before the wind, like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.’
Like the saying, ‘Don’t go away mad, just go away’ will be directed toward all who think that they can take advantage of God’s elect – ‘14 Then behold, at eventide, trouble! And before the morning, he is no more. This is the portion of those who plunder us, and the lot of those who rob us.’
This reminds me of the current scheme of the Muslims. They are offering peace for land. I believe this strongly and you may not agree with me, but think this point through. During President Bush’s term in office, his popularity rating was very high. He then did a stupid thing. He went along with an Islamic offer. President Bush strong armed Israel’s Leader Sharon to give up land to the Palestinians. You cannot plunder the Jews and get away with it. You also cannot give away God’s land without His okay. If you check your history books you will find that from that point on, President Bush’s rating hit bottom. And what shocked me was that Prime Minister Sharon had a stroke and no longer could serve as leader of the nation of Israel. May we all take notice of this lesson.
1 Woe to the land shadowed with buzzing wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, 2 Which sends ambassadors by sea, even in vessels of reed on the waters, saying, “Go, swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth of skin, to a people terrible from their beginning onward, a nation powerful and treading down, whose land the rivers divide.”
Okay someone else is butting their noses in where they do not belong. In this case it is Egypt. If you review the book of Exodus you will understand the reference here in Isaiah. The Egyptians worshiped bugs as god. Thus you see the reference to the buzzing wings. - 1 Woe to the land shadowed with buzzing wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia,
Go rent an old The Ten Commandments movie by Cecil B DeMille Please notice that the Egyptian shave their whole bodies as accurately reflected in the movie. Knowing this then you can understand the reference to ‘smooth skin’ - 2 Which sends ambassadors by sea, even in vessels of reed on the waters, saying, “Go, swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth of skin, to a people terrible from their beginning onward, a nation powerful and treading down, whose land the rivers divide.”
Now you might not be asking yourself this question, but I will bring it out for you, and it is this, ‘Why doesn’t God just say, hey folks, I AM talking about the Egyptians here.’ Customs and the names of locations whether they be cities or countries tend to change over time. However, there are certain characteristics that remain identifiable to certain people. Would you agree? In His Infinite Wisdom our Lord Is able to communicate a present yet historical identification of His truth. In the next verse my point is greatly applied by our Wonderful Lord
3 All inhabitants of the world and dwellers on the earth: When he lifts up a banner on the mountains, you see it; And when he blows a trumpet, you hear it.
Here our Great God informs all of us in this world that we need to ‘hear’ and ‘see’ His Loving directions for our lives.- ‘3 All inhabitants of the world and dwellers on the earth: When he lifts up a banner on the mountains, you see it; And when he blows a trumpet, you hear it’.
Has He not been telling us this throughout His Holy Word? For example, how does this verse sound as spoken by our Master and King our Lord Jesus Christ as given in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 13 verse 15, “For the hearts of this people have grown dull..Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.’
Our Lord Is on His Throne and in control now and forever as He brings up in verse 4
4 For so the LORD said to me, “I will take My rest, and I will look from My dwelling place like clear heat in sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.”
What truth do you derive from this verse? How about this, He dwells like clear heat in sunshine. Think of winter. It is below freezing outside and you sit by a window which faces south. Do you feel the warmth? Such is this blessing that is poured out to us daily by our Gracious Sovereign God. Or finish this part of the verse, ‘like a cloud of dew’. Meditate on what you think this means to you. How about this? A cloud of dew is something to look forward to. It isn’t a rain storm but a refreshing mist during the dog days of summer. How great is that. And these priceless gifts are for our taking whenever we stop and seek the God Who gives all things to us richly and full measure. However, if you will not come to the Well of sweet water of life then you will reap the harvest of rotten crops
5 For before the harvest, when the bud is perfect and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, He will both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks and take away and cut down the branches. 6 They will be left together for the mountain birds of prey and for the beasts of the earth; The birds of prey will summer on them, and all the beasts of the earth will winter on them. 7 In that time a present will be brought to the LORD of hosts from a people tall and smooth of skin, and from a people terrible from their beginning onward, a nation powerful and treading down, whose land the rivers divide— To the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, to Mount Zion.
Our Holy Lord does not desire to keep pouring out Judgment on mankind. Within the pages of His Judgment He throws in ‘Hope’. Look at verse 7. Even the Egyptians who have been so violent against God’s people will one day turn it all around and wake up. They will surrender their hearts and minds to the One and Only True God. They will come and worship with others at Jerusalem and offer a sacrifice to the King of kings and Lord of Lords, our Precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
