Notes on Isaiah 17

Damascus is a city of Syria. It was once great but has come to an end. Ephraim which was in confederacy with Damascus also ceases from being great. Yet we see a remnant to be part of the latter day fulfillment of prophecy.

There shall be a remnant of Jacob also very lean.

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.

It is compared to two or three berries in the top of a tree with most of it gone.

(Isa 17:7 KJV) At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.

The result of this judgment and destruction shall be people returning to their maker and seeking Him. If only we would do that now there would be no need of judgment. Why do we wait until we are desperate? Why not serve God when times are good. Idolatry will be despised when these nations turn to the Lord and respect their maker called here the "Holy one of Israel."

Verse ten gives the reason that judgment comes to these nations. Lest we think the Lord is unfair we are reminded why the bad comes and why such utter destruction prevails. It is dangerous to turn from God to serve other gods. It is suicide to even neglect the Lord in our daily lives. We need Him.

Woe is pronounced to those that exalt themselves and think that they are great and powerful. Woe to those that to destroy. God will rebuke them and turn them back.

Four reasons are given for judgment:

1. The forgot God

2. The neglected His way of salvation

3. They did not understand where their true help came from.

4. They persecute and belittle those who do try to turn them back to the truth.

All nations need to recognize whom they need. The United States is not God. Nations need to turn their trust back to God and not on the United States. I am not demeaning the United States but this nation is not God. Israel needs to trust in God and turn to Him and Him alone. They need to receive the Christ that their ancestors rejected. I truly believe that God alone will be their help during the tribulation period and that the United States may not be able or willing to help them.

Remember how God helped Israel in the days of Moses when all odds were against them. He parted the Red Sea and gave them victory over the pursuing Egyptian army. This probably will be what it will be like in the tribulation period just before the return of Jesus Christ. The anti-christ's army will pursue them and they will flee to Moab, Ammon and Edom. God will protect them there. Jesus Christ Himself will rescue them. This is what I see in bible prophecy. God will receive all the praise and glory as persecuted nations will recognize who their only help is and from whom it comes. I sincerely do not believe it will be from the United States. That is a personal opinion and not necessarily gospel fact.

There have been some that believe this passage is speaking of the United States but according to Finis Jennings Dake in his commentaries on the bible there is no scripture that has a direct reference to the United States and should not be interpreted as such. Dake believes that this is speaking of the actual nation of Ethiopia and foretells its judgment.

Apparently it looks as if this nation is one of the nations that come against Israel in the latter days. No matter what nation this is, we can take heed that we be not part of any nation who comes up against Israel. I realize that I may or may not agree with everything Israel does but we have to recognize the fact that Jerusalem has a future part of bible prophecy. Jesus Christ will rule the whole world from the capital of Jerusalem whether the whole world likes it or not. Some will try to come against Jerusalem in the latter days but they will be defeated. To be safe just don't join in any army that decides to go up against the land of Israel. That land was promised to Abraham years ago and when God makes a promise, man cannot do anything to change it. God has a purpose for Israel and His promise cannot be broken. I didn't say this, this is in the bible.

The entire world will see this and know what is happening. This is a hint to the modern day communication technology that will enable the entire world to see what happens in Israel.

Remember the verse that says, "Every eye shall see Him."

I used to wonder until modern television and satellite orbits how every eye could possibly see Him at His coming. Now we know. Of course we must remember too that the word, every, and all does not always refer to every individual person in the world. Sometimes we use the word, all, to only mean a few. Like, "The whole city gathered at the fireworks display." We know of course that not every single individual shows up at every event. The word "all" and "every" is used to mean a great number.

They also that pierced him, has to mean the descendants of those that pierced Jesus Christ. They are to wail. What would cause wailing? - Deep remorse and repentance that their forefathers had crucified the very Son of God, Jesus Christ.

This will be a time of great cleansing and restoration back to God.

Isn't it great that we don't have to wait until that time. We have the word, the Holy Spirit and the privilege to get right with God right now. By confessing our sins and coming to Jesus Christ by faith, we become born again by the Spirit and the kingdom of God enters our hearts immediately. We still will be part of the future literal kingdom of God but the kingdom of God will dwell in our hearts by faith until that day. Amen.

This speaks of the defeat of Ethiopia and any nation that comes against Israel. The remains of the destruction will be left to the wild animals.

This is prophecy of the restoration of Israel and a gathering of people that have been scattered all over the face of the earth. Believe it or not a peace is coming to the Israel and to the earth in the reign of Jesus Christ. There will be some trying to bring this about now but it will fail. True peace and salvation will only come at the literal coming of Jesus Christ himself.