Prophecies against Aram and Israel

Text: Isaiah 17

Prophecy Against Aram - Isaiah 17:1-3

Its chief city, Damascus, will become a fallen ruin. The cities controlled by Aroer will be depopulated. Where Aroer is is unknown. Some suggest that this should be translated as "the ruined cities are forsaken."

Aram has served as a fortress or bulwark against invaders from the north, especially Assyria. With its fall, Israel is left exposed. The nation of Aram and its people will be in the same difficulty as Israel.

Little Will be Left of Israel - Isaiah 17:4-6

Israel's glory will fade away. It will become lean like a person with a wasting disease -- likely referring to its economy. Little will be left after the nation is "harvested" by its invaders.

Israel Will Abandon Its Idols and Turn to God - Isaiah 17:7-11

Israel will turn to the true God during this time. They will abandon their idols, seeing that they gave them no protection. Their cities have been abandoned, and the land is empty because they have abandoned God, who was their protection. They had planted idolatry and must reap the resulting harvest of sickness and pain.

A Warning that the Nations are Stirring - Isaiah 17:12-14

The time of invasion is compared to the roaring of the seas. After much noise and churning, God will rebuke the invaders and blow them away like chaff. There will be a night of terror, but the morning will come. The invaders are of no lasting use to God. This strongly alludes to the destruction of Sennacherib's army in Isaiah 37:36, which literally took place overnight.