Isaiah: Look at Your Maker

Isaiah 17-18

In his book, Counterfeit Gods, Tim Keller explores how modern-day idols—such as money, sex, and power—can replace God as the center of our lives. Keller defines an idol as “anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give you.” In today’s passage, Israel realizes they are serving idols; unfortunately, they discover this too late. We will study Isaiah 17-18 and then return to hear more from Keller.

Isaiah, “the miniature Bible,” begins with prophecies against Judah, Israel’s southern kingdom (Isa. 1-12). Following this, the prophet addresses the surrounding nations. We have considered what God has in store for Babylon, Assyria, and Moab. Now, let’s examine what God communicates to Damascus (Syria) and Cush (Ethiopia).

Isaiah 17 begins with “an oracle concerning Damascus,” the capital of Syria. Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel had allied against Assyria (Isa. 7:1-2) to no avail. The Assyrians made Damascus a “heap of ruins” (Isa. 17:1) and left other cities deserted (Isa. 17:2). When Assyria, and later Babylon, captured a town, the survivors were deported. Those living in Ephraim (another name for Israel) and Syria would essentially disappear (Isa. 17:3).

Throughout the remainder of Isaiah 17, the prophet employs the phrase “in that day” three times (Isa. 17:4, 7, 9) to highlight the destruction the Assyrians will cause. Below is a list of what will happen when Assyria strikes.

• Israel (here called “Jacob”) was once a thriving nation. Other countries visited to witness its glory and splendor (1 Kgs. 10). However, the “glory of Jacob will be brought low” (Isa. 17:4a).
• Israel’s demise will resemble the gradual decline of a sick person. The “fat of his flesh will grow lean” (Isa. 17:4b).
• Wars decimate crops. “In that day,” the reapers will gather the produce, but the harvest will be scant (Isa. 17:5-11). Isaiah says, “The harvest will flee away in a day of grief and incurable pain” (Isa. 17:11).
• Strong cities will be “like the deserted places….” People will be taken captive and deported to Assyria because Israel served idols and forgot “the God of your salvation and have not remembered the Rock of your refuge” (Isa. 17:10).
• The Assyrians will roll into town “like the thundering of the sea...the roaring of mighty waters!” (Isa. 17:12).
• Israel and Syria will “flee far away, chased like chaff on the mountains before the wind and whirling dust before the storm” (Isa. 17:13).

When the destruction hits, Israel “will not look to the altars, the work of [their] hands” (Isa. 17:8). In Isaiah 17:8, Asherim refers to a wooden pole in honor of Ashera, the Canaanite goddess of fertility and partner of Baal. Ultimately, Israel will recognize the futility of their idols and call on God; however, sadly, it will be too late.

Isaiah 17:7 (our Anchor Point)
In that day man will look to his Maker, and his eyes will look on the Holy One of Israel. 

Isaiah 18 addresses Cush, a region in present-day southern Egypt, Sudan, and northern Ethiopia. The Cushites were a tall, fearsome, and aggressive people. They sent envoys to Israel to offer help against Assyria but were instructed to return home (Isa. 18:1-3). God would execute his plan and bring down Assyria in his own time. The last verse of Isaiah 18 is very descriptive. 

Isaiah 18:7
At that time tribute will be brought to the Lord of hosts from a people tall and smooth, from a people feared near and far, a nation mighty and conquering, whose land the rivers divide, to Mount Zion, the place of the name of the Lord of hosts. 

This verse tells of a time when the people from Cush will bring tribute to Mount Zion in Jerusalem. When will this occur? Will it be after Assyria is defeated or on the day of Christ’s future kingdom? The prophet Zechariah says that all who are alive during the coming kingdom will “go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts…” (Zech. 14:16). It is probable that Isaiah is referring to Jesus’ reign on earth.

One more thing before we wrap up. Israel learned too late the worthlessness of worshiping manmade idols. As believers, we don’t sacrifice to Ashera and Baal, but we can still follow what Keller calls “counterfeit gods.” Use Keller’s words below to evaluate your heart.

A counterfeit god is anything so central and essential to your life that, should you lose it, your life would feel hardly worth the living. An idol has such a controlling position in your heart that you can spend most of your passion and energy, your emotional and financial resources on it without a second thought. It can be family and children, or career and making money, or achievement and critical acclaim, or saving “face” and social standing. It can be a romantic relationship, peer approval, competence and skill, secure and comfortable circumstances, your beauty or your brains, a great political or social cause, your morality and virtue, or even your success in Christian ministry . . . An idol is whatever you look at and say, in your heart of hearts, “If I have that, then I’ll feel my life has meaning, then I’ll know I have value, then I’ll feel significant and secure.”[1] 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on God’s warnings to Moab and Cush in Isaiah 17-18. Focus on our Anchor Point: Isaiah 17:7.

Talking to God: Ask God to show you if there are any counterfeit gods in your life. It is time to deal with them.

Have Questions?
Be sure to send your questions to our team. We are happy to assist you as you explore God's Word. Submit your question below, and we'll reply soon. Let us know if you’d like to learn more about a relationship with Jesus or desire spiritual counsel.

Every day is a day of spiritual renewal and refreshment.