It’s part of Isaiah’s literary “style,” maybe. But then again, the other Old Testament Prophets do it too! (Particularly Hosea comes to mind.) They suddenly segue from “dark” times to “bright” times, in a single chapter. Sometimes in a single paragraph! From “defeat” to “victory!” From great “sorrow” to exhilarating “joy!”
And Isaiah chapter 17 provides us a good example, yet another example. In the midst of all the “gloom” we fine verses 7 and 8.
“At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel. And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.”
This sounds like “conversion!”
A people no longer looking to their gods and goddesses. But NOW looking to their “Maker!” Just as well say, to their “Creator!” Now having “respect” (here: viewing with honor and adoration) to the “Holy One of Israel!” (One of Isaiah’s favorite Names for God! He uses it 25 times in his Corpus!) While this specific string of words is used elsewhere in the Old Testament only 6 times!)
No more idolatry, national revival! “He (Israel, Ephraim) shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.” A sin Israel (Judah as well) did finally seem to forsake (in the sense of wooden or stone, man-made gods, anyway) … but only after their terrible time of Captivity!
Yes, I just HAD to show you these two Isaiah verses, today’s Text!
But WHEN shall these things fully “come to pass?”
In the Millennium!
Literally this will happen.
When Jesus comes again to earth … to rule from the Throne of David.
One more thought.
At chapter’s end, Isaiah 17:12-14, more good news for Israel. “Woe to the multitude of many people (gentiles against Jews), which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters! The nations shall rush (armies, deadly battle) like the rushing of many waters (against Israel as a little nation): but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind. And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.” (Isaiah chapter 17’s last paragraph, its last three verses.)
Wow!
This miraculous repelling of many nations, entities who are attacking Israel, is (to my understanding) exactly (in its fullest sense) what will happen at the Battle of Armageddon!
God “rebukes” them. God “chases” them! Really, according to the Book of Revelation, God “destroys” them! Strong verbs here, all three of them.
And talk about optimism! And a “hint” of future victory (Judah over Assyria) yet to be studied in Isaiah … “Behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he (the enemy) is not. This is the portion (reward) of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.” Isaiah 17:14)
Wow!
This is as good as Psalm 30:5, every bit. “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
Praise God.
He never totally forsakes His people.
He always keeps His Word!
Hallelujah!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell