Isaiah 17:4-11
Summary for Isa 17:4-11: 17:4-11 a The vision shifts from Damascus (17:1-3 b) to the northern kingdom of Israel; Damascus and Israel were allies in the war against Judah, and both were later destroyed by Assyria. 17:4 c Israel’s glory will grow dim: God will judge all human pride.• Israel’s robust body will waste away like a person who is ill.
17:5 d The valley of Rephaim was a fertile valley in Judah; however, it looked bare after each harvest.
17:6 e Although the God of Israel judged the wickedness of Israel, he was still its God.
17:7 f The people referred to here are either Israelites or humanity at large.
• look ... turn their eyes: They will again put their trust in the Lord.
17:8 g Canaanites and then Israelites worshiped the fertility goddess Asherah in wooded areas or, in the absence of wooded areas, using Asherah poles (see 27:9 h; 65:3 i; Mic 5:14 j).
17:9 k The Hivites and Amorites were members of the original population of Canaan; they were to be destroyed when the Israelites conquered the land (see Deut 20:17 l).
17:10 m The Israelites had mixed faith in the Lord with elements of Baal worship. They turned from the Lord, who alone is God and will not be held alongside an idol in people’s hearts.
• The term Rock refers to the Lord’s ability to provide refuge (see 26:4 n; 30:29 o; Ps 18:2 p, 46 q).
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