Isaiah 17

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 17:5

As when the harvestman gathereth the corn . Death is the "harvestman" here, and gathers the Israelites by shocks, or sheaves, into his garner. A great depopulation appears in 2 Kings 17:25 , where we learn that lions so multiplied in the land as to become a terror to the few inhabitants. Reapeth the ears . Mr. Cheyne well remarks that the "ears" only were reaped, the stalk being cut close under the ear. This was the practice also in Egypt. In the valley of Rephaim . The valley of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 17:6

Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it ; rather, yet gleanings shall be left in it . There is no mention of grapes, and it is clear that the "gleaning" intended is that of an olive-ground. As the shaking of an olive tree ; rather, as at the beating of an olive tree . The olive crop was obtained, not by shaking, but by beating the trees ( Deuteronomy 24:20 ). The owner was forbidden to "go over the boughs again," in order that a portion of the crop might be left for the stranger,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 17:6

The Lord's remnant. Figuratively here is called to mind the fact that God's dealings are never wholly destructive; they never utterly desolate; there is always a mitigation, always a spared remnant. The figure used, of the few olive berries left for the gleaner, is a very striking one, if the customs of the olive-growing countries is understood. In Thomson's 'Land and the Book' there is a full description. "Early in autumn the berries begin to drop off of themselves, or are shaken off by the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 17:6-11

National repentance may come too late to avert national ruin. The crisis of a nation's fate is brought on by slow degrees, and results from a multitude of acts, each one of which, when once done, is past recall. Up to a certain point there is a possibility of retrieval. "Tout peut se retablir," as a great monarch of our own time said. The modes of action that have brought the state into difficulties may be renounced, or even reversed; and recovery may set in as a natural consequence of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 17:7

At that day shall a man look to his Maker . We have evidence of this revulsion of feeling on the part of Israel in the statement of Chronicles that, in the reign of Josiah, offerings of money were made for the temple service by men of "Manasseh and Ephraim, and of all the remnant of Israel," which the Levites collected and brought to Jerusalem ( 2 Chronicles 34:9 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 17:7

Eyes turned to God only. Cheyne's translation is, "In that day shall the earth-born look towards his Maker, and his eyes shall have regard to the Holy One of Israel." The reference seems to be to those who, after the Assyrian conquest of Israel accepted Hezekiah's invitation, returned to Jerusalem, giving up their confidence in idols, and looking with single eye to Jehovah, and serving him with sincere hearts. The figure suggests for consideration the possible attitudes of human vision... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 17:7-8

The function of adversity. I. THE PREVALENCE OF TROUBLE IN THIS WORLD OF SIN . "That day" was the day of national disaster, and, therefore, of individual distress. In the more settled and durable condition of modern times and Western lands, we are much less liable to suffer from this particular cause. But civilization brings its own perils and its own troubles, and while sin lasts "the day" of sorrow will be continually recurring. How many are the sources whence it may... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 17:8

And he shall not look to the altars . The altars at Dan and Bethel ( 1 Kings 12:28-33 ) may be intended, or the Israelites may have had other idolatrous altars besides these ( 2 Kings 17:11 ; Hosea 8:11 ). Josiah, about B.C. 631, broke down altars throughout all the land of Israel, in the cities of Manasseh and Ephraim and Simeon (?), even unto Naphtali ( 2 Chronicles 34:5-7 ). Apparently he had the consent of the inhabitants to this demolition. Either the groves, or the images , ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 17:8

The prophet on heathen worship. Having described in brief the true religion as a "looking up to God" as Maker and Redeemer of Israel, the prophet with equal expressiveness characterizes the heathen worship around. I. IT IS REVERENCE FOR THE OBJECT OF HUMAN ART . Contemptuous is the reference to "the work of his hands," and "that which his fingers have made"—altars and images. When the spiritual nerve of religion is weakened, the affections fix upon the symbols, forms,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 17:9

In that day . While a remnant of the Israelites shall repent and turn to God, throwing in their lot with Judah, as it would seem the country generally shall feel the weight of God's chastening hand, on account of Israel's former sins and offences. As a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch ; rather, as the forsaken tract of woodland and mountain-crest (Kay). The reference is to the condition of the land when it passed out of the possession of the Canaanitish nations. It was then... read more

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