SCRIPTURE: ISAIAH 17
MEMORY VERSES:
“In that day men will look to their maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands and they will not0 regard for the Asherah poles, and the incense altars their fingers have made.” (Isaiah 17:7-8)
“You have forgotten God your Savior; you have not remembered to Tock, your fortress. Therefore, though you set out the finest plants and plant imported vines, though on the day you set them out, you make them grow, and on the morning when you plant them, you bring them to bud, yet the harvest will be as nothing in the day of disease and incurable pain.” (Isaiah 17:10-11)
AN ORACLE AGAINST DAMASCUS (vs. 12-14)
Israel and Aram made an alliance to fight against Assyria. But both fall to the Assyrians. The judgment of God is pictured as a sunset and a heavy person losing weight (v. 4); a field without fruit for the gleaner (vs. 5-6). Israel had decayed and became hopeless. They trusted their own idols and not on the true God. Judgment carried by God was described as like house before a flood (v. 12) or chaff on the hills and tumbleweed before a gale. (v. 13).
THOUGHTS:
The Arameans turned from God and depend on their idols. So God was going to completely destroy them. If we have depended on temporal things to give us eternal security, God’s judgment is certain. WE must turn from false allurements and trust in God.
Asherah poles were image of Asherah, a Canaanite goddess who was the female consort of Baal. Queen Jezebel brought the worship of Asherah into the Northern kingdom. This cult encourage immoral sexual practices and attracted many people. King Manasseh had put up an Asherah pole in the Temple. Pagan gods try to attract the greatest number of people but our true God seek the greater good for all the people.