BIG IDEA:
DON’T FORGET GOD BECAUSE HE WON’T FORGET YOU –
FORGETTING GOD DISHONORS HIM GREATLY BUT DOES NOT CANCEL OUT HIS COVENANTAL REMNANT PROGRAM
INTRODUCTION:
Events of this past month have focused the world’s attention on the nation of Syria and its capital city Damascus. Is the U.S. going to launch some type of military strike against Damascus and Syria in the coming days? Can we let a nation use weapons of chemical warfare and not respond in some fashion? On the other hand, how much difference is there from killing people with chemicals vs killing them with other types of weapons? Are other nations going to support such an initiative? What will be the longer term implications of getting involved in their internal conflict? How would things escalate? What are we prepared to do? What are the implications for Israel? It is certainly a complicated situation over there – if we enter into any type of conflict, it is difficult to anticipate any outcome that is favorable to U.S. interests, much less the protection of Israel.
Brigadier General Salim Idris, who Sen. John McCain has called a “fine leader” and who leads the Supreme Military Council of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), which is supported by the Obama administration, told Al Jazeera in a May 8 video interview that “Israel is an enemy country” and that Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and the Lebanese terrorist group Hizballah are “Israeli collaborators.”
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/terence-p-jeffrey/us-backed-syrian-rebel-commander-israel-enemy-country-assad-and
This general thinks that Assad (the current leader of Syria) is a coward for not going to war with Israel! The reality is that all of those Muslim countries hate Israel.
Maybe the Muslim leaders should pay some attention to what the Scriptures say about the ultimate destiny of their countries. We have a text this morning that is essentially ripped right out of this morning’s headlines. What does God have to say about the nation of Syria??
DON’T FORGET GOD BECAUSE HE WON’T FORGET YOU –
– In Judgment
– In Salvation – as the Remnant
FORGETTING GOD DISHONORS HIM GREATLY BUT DOES NOT CANCEL OUT HIS COVENANTAL REMNANT PROGRAM
(:1a) PRELUDE
“The oracle concerning Damascus.”
Context: judgment against the nations – that is why prophet titles this as concerning Damascus; they were in an alliance with the northern kingdom which will actually receive more focus here in Chap. 17;
Another name for Syria would be Aram (the Aramaens);
Assyria is a different country farther to the North – the world power at the time that was rolling over other nations and causing Syria and Israel (also known as Ephraim – capital city of Samaria) to form a military alliance for protection.
This was the context for Isaiah 7 for King Ahaz in the southern kingdom – he ended up seeking an alliance with Assyria to protect him against the Syria-Israel union – trying to pick which dog would win out so that he would end up on the victorious side.
God says: Put your trust totally in Me as your stronghold and fortress and defender and Savior.
Beall: Damascus was a very important city in the ancient world, since it lay squarely on the main land route between Mesopotamia and Egypt. The New International Dictionary of the Bible states that “It is watered by the Barada and the Wady Awaj, Abana, and Pharpar of the OT (2 Kings 5:12 [“Are not the Abanah and the Pharphar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel?” Naaman asked]). A 2,000 foot elevation gives it a delightful climate. Its gardens and olive groves still flourish after millennia of cultivation. Caravan routes from the east, west, and south once crossed in the city, carrying treasures of silks, perfumes, carpets, and foods. It was a rich city whose merchandise was far-famed (Ezek 27:16).
I. (:1b-3) DEVASTATION COMING FOR SYRIA AND ISRAEL
Capital of Syria = Damascus; Capital of Israel or Ephraim = Samaria = “the fortified city”
A. (:1b-2) Present Prosperity is No Guarantee of Future Security – Devastation is Coming
“Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city, and it will become a fallen ruin. The cities of Aroer are forsaken; They will be for flocks to lie down in, and there will be no one to frighten them.”
Look at how the nations in the Middle East want to wipe Israel off the face of the map.
Lord can quickly redraw the map of nations
Oswalt: denotes imminent action – So they should look for something to be happening soon
There was a massive destruction in 732 BC … but not to the extent that the language of this chapter can be satisfied. We have here another example of short term and long term fulfillment of prophecy. The city of Damascus does not lie in a pile of rubble – it continues to be one of the longest inhabited cities in the world. There is an end time destruction coming that will be the ultimate fulfillment.
B. (:3) Dominion and Glory Can Be Short-Lived – Devastation Will Be Humiliating
“’The fortified city will disappear from Ephraim, and sovereignty from Damascus and the remnant of Aram; They will be like the glory of the sons of Israel,’ Declares the LORD of hosts.”
Look at the departure of the glory of God from the northern kingdom, Israel – the splitting of God’s people over 200 years ago destroyed the unity of the kingdom – the 10 northern tribes under Jeroboam broke off from the oppressive leadership of Rehoboam and the two southern tribes; history of Israel was one of constant wicked leadership – a succession of 19 kings who are each described as wicked – at least the south had the occasional good leader; look how long God put up with Israel before sending her off into the Assyrian captivity
“the fortified city” = Samaria, the capital
722 BC – 10 years later, the Assyrian armies rolled over Ephraim as well
Van Parunak: The joint reference to Damascus and Ephraim shows that the historical context is ch. 7, where Ahaz was choosing between joining their coalition against Assyria, and appealing to Assyria for help against them.
Young: In that word “glory” Isaiah comprises everything which the natural man would boast in. Included are fortresses, leading personalities, mighty troops, power and splendor of weapons. All in which men had vaunted will be taken. The glory will have departed.
Oswalt: the concept of glory in Hebrew carries with it the connotations of permanence, abundance, significance, and reality. The glory of Jacob, as shared by Syria, will be none of these. God will expose to the world that the “glory” of Israel, which she has achieved through her own strength, is nothing but a fraud.
II. (:4-6) GLORY FADING AWAY FOR SYRIA AND THE NORTHERN KINGDOM OF ISRAEL – YET A SMALL REMNANT PRESERVED
“Now it will come about in that day that the glory of Jacob will fade,”
Van Parunak: The order of the three “in that day” sections [vv. 4, 7, 9] is negative, then positive, then negative again.
Borgman: Glory of Jacob will get skinny; it will thin out;
3 Images presented to paint the story of this declining glory:
A. Image of the Decline of the Physical Body — Prosperity Eroding from Fatness to Leanness
“And the fatness of his flesh will become lean.”
Fatness portrayed here as a good and desirable attribute = prosperity; you don’t want to look anorexic
B. Image of Reaper (Assyria) Easily Gathering in the Harvest – of Ephraim and Damascus
“It will be even like the reaper gathering the standing grain, as his arm harvests the ears,
Or it will be like one gleaning ears of grain in the valley of Rephaim.”
Van Parunak: Assyria will reap Ephraim and Damascus as easily as a reaper gathers the crop at harvest time. They will not be able to offer any resistance. . . Revelation uses this image to describe the day of the Lord, and the gathering of believers together with the destruction of the wicked (Rev 14:14-20).
Again: you have the near term threat of the Assyrians in 732 under Tiglath Pilezer, but the language has ultimate fulfillment in the eschatological Day of the Lord
Wikopedia: A valley descending southwest from Jerusalem to the Valley of Elah below, it is an ancient route from the coastal plain to the Judean Hills, probably named after the legendary race of giants.
Very fertile valley – so much to harvest there
The mention of the place name Valley of Rephaim brings immediately to mind dramatic events in the life of the people of Israel, particularly the wars with Israel’s mortal enemy, the Philistines, who suffered two decisive defeats here by the Israelite armies under the leadership of their great warrior-king, David, but not before he had first sought the guidance of the God of Israel with the question: Shall I go up to the Philistines? Wilt Thou deliver them into mine hand? (2 Sam. 5:19). David’s unshakeable faith in his God ensured that the issue would never be in doubt: And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer (2 Sam. 5:25). The Valley of Rephaim is about four kilometers southwest of Jerusalem.
http://www.testimony-magazine.org/back/Special_Issues/Oct90/art16.htm
C. Image of Olive Tree Yielding Only a Little Fruit = Faithful Remnant
“Yet gleanings will be left in it like the shaking of an olive tree, Two or three olives on the topmost bough, Four or five on the branches of a fruitful tree, Declares the LORD, the God of Israel.”
There will not be complete obliteration of God’s people
III. (:7-8) FAITH REFOCUSING ON THE ONLY TRUE GOD
A. (:7) Positive Focus – Where to Look for Help
1. Creator God
“In that day man will have regard for his Maker,”
Eschatological timeframe – generic man mentioned here – will include people from all nations
2. Covenant God
“And his eyes will look to the Holy One of Israel.”
Van Parunak: An unusual verb, meaning “to gaze intently at,” that is, for help. An interesting clue to its meaning is its use in 2 Sam 22:42, and the use of another verb to replace it in the parallel passage Ps 18:42:
2Sa 22:42 They looked [ ישׁעו from שׁעה ], but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
Psa 18:41 They cried [ ישׁועו from שׁוע ], but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not. . .
Syria and Ephraim looked to alliances for security. The only true source of security is the Lord.
Isa 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Literally, “his eyes are toward the Holy One.” The expression often denotes dependence and subservience:
Psa 123:2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.
B. (:8) Negative Focus – Where Not to Look for Help = Man-Made Idols
“And he will not have regard for the altars, the work of his hands,”
“Nor will he look to that which his fingers have made, even the Asherim and incense stands.”
Beall: Vv 7-8 may refer to the time mentioned in 2 Chron 30:11 when three of the northern tribes did humble themselves and worship the Lord at Hezekiah’s invitation. This was in response to the harsh judgment described in vv. 4-6. It is also possible that these verses refer to the end of the tribulation period (compare Isa 2:20-21). At that time, God says, Israel will look to the Lord (the Holy One of Israel) rather than the pagan altars and Asherah poles . . .
IV. (:9-11) ROOT SIN = FORGETTING GOD AND SEEKING SECURITY BY THE ARM OF THE FLESH
A. (:9) Forsaken Destiny = How they ended up despite their prominence
1. Chief Cities
“In that day their strong cities will be like forsaken places in the forest, Or like branches which they abandoned before the sons of Israel;”
What does it feel like to be forsaken and abandoned?
This is what the Lord experienced for us in our place on the cross
2. Entire Land
“And the land will be a desolation.”
B. (:10a) Forgetful Loyalties = What went wrong at the core
“For you have forgotten the God of your salvation
And have not remembered the rock of your refuge.”
* * * * * * * * * *
Psalm 106 review – 8 Ways in which we tend to forget God – from the history of Israel
I. (:6-12) MEMORY LOSS — FORSAKING GOD’S GOODNESS
Root problem cropped up again: they “rebelled” by the sea; Motivated by Fear
Caused them to doubt the love and faithfulness of God
II. (:13-15) IMPATIENT INDULGENCE — FORSAKING GOD’S PROVIDENTIAL CARE
unhappy with the menu and with the scheduled meal times
Problem of Contentment and of Faith
III. (:16-18) ENVIOUS OF GOD’S APPOINTED LEADERS — FORSAKING GOD’S AUTHORITY
IV. (:19-23) MATERIALISTIC IDOLATRY — FORSAKING GOD’S GLORY
From worshiping the majestic God of the universe to worshiping a golden calf;
Idolatry = giving the preeminence to something other than God
V. (:24-27) INCESSENT GRUMBLING — FORSAKING GOD’S PROMISES
1. Discontent — “Then they despised the pleasant land”
2. Lack of Faith — “They did not believe in His word”
3. Spreading Discontent to Others — “grumbled in their tents”
4. Ignoring the Word of God — “they did not listen to the voice of the Lord”
VI. (:28-31) UNHOLY ALLIANCES (RELIGIOUS COMPROMISE) — FORSAKING GOD’S HOLINESS
VII. (:32-33) ANGRY SELF-WILL — FORSAKING GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS
VIII. (:34-39) FELLOWSHIP WITH THE WORLD — FORSAKING GOD’S UNIQUENESS
* * * * * * * * * *
C. (:10b-11) Futile Alliances Infused with Idolatry = How they tried to recover in vain
“Therefore you plant delightful plants and set them with vine slips of a strange god. In the day that you plant it you carefully fence it in, and in the morning you bring your seed to blossom; But the harvest will be a heap in a day of sickliness and incurable pain.”
Beall: Instead, Israel planted pleasant plants and foreign seedlings–i.e., made foreign alliances with idolatrous nations (as with Syria), and nourished the relationship, but the harvest was ultimately nothing but ruin in the day of sorrow.
Oswalt: No matter how successful one’s techniques for forcing the best out of one’s life, the harvest will be a bitter disappointment if those techniques avoid dependence upon God. Life’s rewards have a way of slipping through the fingers of those who have grasped at those rewards, or they suddenly lose significance when they have been seized (40:24). But in God, life is given back to those who have surrendered it for love of him (65:21, 22; Matt. 16:25).
V. (:12-14) GOD TRIUMPHING ULTIMATELY OVER ISRAEL’S PILLAGING ENEMIES
A. (:12-13a) The Nations Roar and Rumble
“Alas, the uproar of many peoples who roar like the roaring of the seas, and the rumbling of nations who rush on like the rumbling of mighty waters! The nations rumble on like the rumbling of many waters,”
Beall: Speaks of the “uproar of many peoples” — it is likely that the prophecy does not speak of the events of the 700’s, but rather to the time when all the nations will be gathered against Jerusalem to fight against her, but will not prevail
B. (:13b-14a) God Rebukes and Removes
“But He will rebuke them and they will flee far away, and be chased like chaff in the mountains before the wind, or like whirling dust before a gale. At evening time, behold, there is terror! Before morning they are no more.”
C. (:14b) Justice Reigns and Rewards
“Such will be the portion of those who plunder us, And the lot of those who pillage us.”
You cannot escape the universal harvest law: “As a man [or nation] sows, so shall it also reap.”
CONCLUSION:
Stay tuned to world events in Syria. God is still working out His program for history. We need to keep our faith focused on the one who is our refuge and fortress and salvation.