Isaiah 17:1-18:7.  Today we have another “burden” or heavy message about two more foreign nations.  The first part of the burden is about Syria or Aram.  Damascus is the capital of Aram.  We have already seen a lot of information about Aram because they were part of the coalition that was putting pressure on Ahaz to fight against Assyria.  As we have seen before God would deal with this nation and Ahaz should not have worried, but he did and made a treaty with Assyria.  God used Assyria and that treaty to destroy the coalition but it came at a cost and Ahaz kingdom also fell under an eventual curse.  We also see mentioned in this part of the reading, Ephraim.  Ephraim was one of the 10 tribes which made up the northern kingdom of Israel.  It was a major player in the kingdom and here it represents the entire northern kingdom.  In verse 3 when Aram’s cities are compared to the “glory of Israel” it is not hopeful, Israel was going to be destroyed by Assyria and Aram would be too.  The destruction would be very complete like an over picked field or orchard, almost nothing left.  The reason for the destruction is given in Isaiah 17:10, they had forgotten about God, the real God.  The result of the destruction is given in Isaiah 17:7, people will be forced to see that God exists.  Chapter 17 ends with a reminder that God will fight for Judah, and he did when the Assyrian army threatened to attack Jerusalem.  In response to Hezekiah’s faith the Assyrian army was distracted away from Jerusalem by a report of an Egyptian invasion.  It was at that time that God sent a destroying angel who destroyed 185,000 Assyrians troops in one night and the invasion of Jerusalem never happened

The second nation in today’s reading is Cush or Ethiopia.  About 730 BC there was a new king in Ethiopia who was exerting great power in his region.  If you do not know where Ethiopia is it is south of Egypt and he was exerting influence all the way north into Egypt.  Cush also was contacting Judah about alliances during these years (During the invasions by Assyria in 711 and 701 BC).  Although the Ethiopians were contacting Jerusalem it was god who had a message for them, “Look out!” (Woe in Isaiah 18:1).  Verses 5-6 talk about pruning a vine and God is the one doing the pruning.  God is also compared to the heat and humidity at harvest time.  I have never lived in a place where there is a lot of humidity but I am told it is hard to escape from that kind of heat.  In the same way God’s presence is everywhere and effects every thing.  The pruning is probably a reference to the destruction of Assyria, God knows what is going on and the nations are in his hands.  That was the message to the Ethiopians and their response was to sent gifts to Jerusalem honor the Lord of Hosts or God Almighty.  This compound name for God tells us that he is the God who controls the ultimate army.

I know it seems a little repetitive with all of theses messages to or about all of these different powerful kingdoms all having the same basic message but you need to remember what was going on.  Theses messages were originally given over a time of about 40 years, one generation.  During that time there were dozens of invasions, wars and rumors of war, Isaiah starts the book by mentioning four different kings in Jerusalem.  There were several different nations all fighting for power in the region with all of these smaller kingdoms caught in the middle.  These smaller kingdoms in response tried to make different alliances to fight off the invaders.  When one or more of the small kingdoms failed the others would bail out.  Can you say, Drama”?  But this drama was real life with thousands dying in the process.  You might say, “Where was God in all of this?”  The answer is right there in the middle of it all.  The problem is the people were not looking to God they were looking to each other, themselves, and to the fake idols they had made.  As sad as all of that destruction was it is even sadder the fact that these peole were not getting their relationship with God worked out, because that lasts forever, one way or the other (Remember the bed of maggots and blanket of worms? (Isaiah 14:11)).  God doesn’t like all of the destruction either but sometimes we can be so stubborn it takes a lot to get through to us, and most of th time theses nations were acting on their own, God just used their actions to focus people back to him.  The paradise that was lost in Genesis 2 because of disobedience will one day be restored (Revelation 21-22) but it will only be for those who have put their trust in the promised coming king (from the house of David).  The question for us is will we see the destruction and reject God or will we bring gifts like the Ethiopians did to honor him.  Isaiah repeats the idea over and over that God will deal with pride and he will be honored because in times of trouble we can often forget about him.  The book started out with people in good times forgetting God too.  So I guess we need reminders all the time.  Hopefully we will learn and turn away from our man made solutions and trust and honor God.  Lord help me see you at work and give you the honor you deserve.  Help me trust you and help me follow you.  I don’t want to be pruned and I don’t want to be left on the hill side for the vultures I want to be with you forever in your kingdom.  Help me start practicing now by following you faithfully.