Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"But God will rebuke them"
Text: Isaiah 17:13
A GENERAL “WOE” PRONOUNCED AGAINST THE NATIONS
Israel and Judah found themselves having many enemies. They were compared to “mighty waters” or floods that destroyed everything in their paths. Only the LORD could stand up against them and rebuke them for their sinfulness and wickedness!
“Woe to the multitude of many people
Who make a noise like the roar of the seas,
And to the rushing of nations
That make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!
The nations will rush like the rushing of many waters;
But God will rebuke them and they will flee far away,
And be chased like the chaff of the mountains before the wind,
Like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.
Then behold, at eventide, trouble!
And before the morning, he is no more.
This is the portion of those who plunder us,
And the lot of those who rob us.”
Isaiah 17:12-14
1. The pronouncement of “Woe”.
a) This would be a word of warning to the warlike nations.
b) This would also serve as a word of great encouragement to God’s people.
c) The LORD would stand up for them and destroy the enemies.
d) But Israel must never forget all that God had already done for the nation.
2. Woe as a word of grave warning.
a) The multitudes of foreign nations.
b) These warlike nations were compared:
i) The roar of the seas.
ii) The rushing of many waters.
iii) These were powerful nations who were determined to wipe out
whole nations who stood in their paths.
3. What the LORD would do to these wicked nations.
a) He would rebuke them.
b) The warring nations would flee at God’s rebuke.
c) They would be like chaff which the wind drives away.
d) They would be powerless against a whirlwind that God would raise up
against them.
4. A great relief is felt.
a) Israel looked at the enemies in the evening and was troubled.
b) The nation looked again the next morning, and the threat was gone.
c) This would be the fate, the portion of all who would seek to destroy Israel.
d) They would end up being destroyed by God Himself.
e) God would rise up to defend and protect His people who fear and trust Him.