Isaiah 17:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The cities of Aroer are deserted; they will be for flocks, which will lie down, and none will make them afraid.

NIV: The cities of Aroer will be deserted and left to flocks, which will lie down, with no one to make them afraid.

NASB: The cities of Aroer are abandoned; They will be for herds to lie down in, And there will be no one to frighten them.

CSB: The cities of Aroer are abandoned; they will be places for flocks. They will lie down without fear.

NLT: The towns of Aroer will be deserted. Flocks will graze in the streets and lie down undisturbed, with no one to chase them away.

KJV: The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.

NKJV: The cities of Aroer are forsaken; They will be for flocks Which lie down, and no one will make them afraid.

The prophecy against Damascus could not be stated more plainly: The city will be left in ruins (Isaiah 17:1). Damascus was more than just a city. It was the capital of Aram, also called Syria. The territory under Aram's control stretched south to the cities of Aroer. These cities were located east of the Dead Sea along the Arnon River. A key fortress located there guarded the border between Moab and Ammon as well as a travel route through the river valley.

Isaiah writes that in addition to the utter destruction of Damascus, the cities of Aroer will become deserted as well. The area will be so quiet that sheep will rest easily without fear of being disturbed. The eerie quiet at a formerly busy fortress will indicate just how thoroughly the people have been wiped out. This likely took place in 732 BC, when the Assyrians destroyed Damascus for their rebellion against them.

Isaiah 17:1–14 begins as a prophecy of the destruction of Damascus, the capital of Syria. Israel will nearly be wiped out along with it. Survivors of both nations will exist on scraps. The remnant of Israel will finally look to their Maker for help instead of praying to false idols. This remnant will experience grief and pain because they have forgotten the God of their salvation. Still, the Lord God has the power to drive away enemies like dust against a strong wind.

What begins as an oracle against Damascus becomes a description of the consequences of Israel's faithlessness As well as the Lord's ability to save them. Damascus will become a heap of ruins. Ephraim will be nearly wiped out along with it. The glory of both will be wasted away like a once healthy man starving and living on scraps. Finally, Israel will look to their Maker instead of to idols they have made with their hands. They forgot the God of their salvation, the One who can chase away the storms of the enemy nations.

Prior chapters included prophecies against various nations, such as Assyria, Babylon, and Moab (Isaiah 13—16). Chapter begins as another oracle against one of Israel's hostile neighbors. However, this one is set much earlier in time. Damascus will become ruins and Israel will be nearly wiped out along with it. Survivors will gather scraps just to survive. The remnant in Israel will finally look to their Maker for help, instead of to idols. Still, the Lord can drive away the roaring nations who have come against Israel. Further oracles follow, beginning with a prophecy about Cush (Isaiah 18).

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).

Accessed 5/7/2024 11:07:20 AM