How does Isaiah 17:14 illustrate God's swift judgment against the enemies of Israel? “In the evening, there is sudden terror; before morning, they are gone. This is the portion of those who plunder us, and the lot of those who pillage us.” Setting the Scene • Isaiah is speaking God’s oracle concerning Damascus and the northern kingdom of Israel (Isaiah 17:1–3). • Both nations had joined forces against Judah (Isaiah 7:1–2). • God promises that the alliance will collapse swiftly—so swiftly that it will vanish overnight. What “Sudden Terror” Reveals • “In the evening” pictures the enemy confident after a day of menacing activity. • “Sudden terror” signals panic breaking out without warning—God’s direct intervention (cf. 2 Kings 7:5–7). • Terror originating at God’s command cannot be resisted; human strength is useless (Psalm 33:10). “Before Morning, They Are Gone” • The Hebrew idea is literal: by dawn the threat is erased. • Highlights the rapid pace of divine judgment—no prolonged siege, no lengthy campaign (Exodus 12:29-30). • Underscores God’s sovereignty over time itself; He compresses events to make His point unmistakable (Psalm 46:5). The Portion and Lot of Plunderers • “Portion” and “lot” echo legal language of inheritance; what the enemy “inherits” is destruction. • God defends His covenant people (Genesis 12:3); those who touch them answer to Him (Zechariah 2:8). Echoes Elsewhere in Scripture • Assyrian army destroyed in a single night (2 Kings 19:35). • Philistine forces routed swiftly at Mizpah (1 Samuel 7:10-11). • Gog’s hordes annihilated in a day (Ezekiel 39:8-10). • Revelation 19:19-21 depicts a final, instantaneous defeat of the nations opposing Christ. Key Takeaways • God’s judgment can fall with startling speed. • No alliance, strategy, or power can delay His timetable. • Standing against God’s people is ultimately standing against God Himself. • The righteous can rest, knowing that God’s rescue often arrives “before morning.” |
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