Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryIsaiah 17

The Doom of Syria and IsraelThis section is a prophecy about the coming destruction of both Syria (with its capital Damascus) and Israel (the northern kingdom, also called Ephraim or the ten tribes). At this time, these two nations were joined together in alliance against Judah. Isaiah warns that both will soon face God's judgment. Their power, pride, and safety will be taken away, and their cities will be left empty. The message is clear: rebelling against God and forming sinful alliances cannot protect any nation from His justice.v. 1: The prophecy begins with Damascus, the main city of Syria. Isaiah says it will be destroyed and turned into a ruinous heap . The once-great city will lose its buildings and people, left only as ruins. This is a warning about how sin can destroy even the strongest cities.

v. 2: The smaller towns around Damascus, called the cities of Aroer, will also be abandoned. People will flee because of the invading army, and the towns will become empty places where only flocks of sheep lie down. No one will disturb them. It is better for animals to live there than for people who rebel against God .

v. 3: The strongholds of Israel, especially in Samaria, will also be destroyed. The fortress shall cease from Ephraim . Israel had helped Syria attack Judah, so now both nations will face the same punishment. The few people left in Syria will be as weak and unimportant as the few left in Israel. Sinful partnerships bring no true security.

v. 4: Israel’s strength and glory will fade away like a person who is sick and losing weight. The glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean . The people once had great numbers and power, but most will be lost, leaving only a weak remnant. This is a lesson that all the glory of this world can disappear quickly.

v. 5: The Assyrian army will gather up the people of Israel just as a farmer harvests his grain. It shall be as when the harvest man gathers the corn . The land will be left empty, with nothing valuable remaining. God’s judgment will be complete, just as a careful farmer leaves no grain behind in his field (Psalm 65:13; Revelation 14:15 ).

The Doom of Syria and IsraelIn the middle of this prophecy about judgment, Isaiah shares a message of hope. Even as the kingdom of Israel is mostly destroyed and its people are taken away, God will save a small group—a remnant. These survivors will be different from the rest. They will turn away from idols and look to the true God. This shows that even in times of great trouble, God remembers those who trust in Him.v. 6: Only a few people will escape the destruction in Israel. Isaiah says, Gleaning grapes shall be left in it . Just as after a farmer shakes an olive tree and only a few berries are left at the very top, so only a small number of people will remain. Most will be taken away, but a tiny remnant will survive, like the last grapes left after harvest (Luke 17:34 ).

v. 7: These survivors will be changed in their hearts. At that day shall a man look to his Maker . They will turn to God, admit He is in control, and give Him honor. In their suffering, they will trust God and look to Him for help, just as a servant looks to his master (Psalm 123:2 ).

v. 8: The remnant will also turn away from idols. They will stop worshipping the things they made with their own hands, like altars and images for the sun (Deuteronomy 4:19; Job 31:26 ). Their suffering will help them see that only God is worthy of their trust. When trouble helps us let go of our sins and false hopes, it can actually be a blessing because it brings us closer to God.

The Doom of Syria and IsraelIn this section, Isaiah returns to describing the destruction that will come to Israel because of their sins. Even the strongest and safest cities will be left empty and ruined. The people had worked hard to make their land beautiful and fruitful, but they forgot the Lord

v. 10: The reason for this disaster is that the people forgot the Lord

v. 11: The people worked hard to make their land beautiful. They planted the best and rarest plants, caring for them with great energy and hope. But when harvest time came, all their work was wasted. The harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow . Instead of joy and singing, there would be only loss and sadness. Sometimes, the enemy would even take away the harvest for themselves (Deuteronomy 28:33 ). This teaches us not to put our hope in things that can be quickly taken away, but to trust in God, who gives blessings that last forever.

The Doom of Syria and IsraelThese verses warn that those who attack and rob God's people will not escape judgment. The Assyrians and their many allies seemed powerful and frightening, but their pride and violence would lead to their own destruction. This message is meant to encourage God’s people, reminding them that even the strongest enemies cannot stand against the Lord

v. 13: But God will simply rebuke them, and they will run away in fear. He shall rebuke them, and they shall flee afar off. The enemies will become like chaff of the mountains before the wind and a rolling thing before the whirlwind (Psalm 35:5 ). God’s invisible power can scatter the greatest armies, making them weak and helpless (Psalm 83:13,15 ).

v. 14: This defeat will happen very quickly. At evening-tide, behold, trouble; and before the morning, they are not (Isaiah 17:14 ). The enemy may seem strong at night, but by morning they will be gone. Just as the angel of the Lord