Isaiah 17:1-14
17:1-3 Damascus was defeated by Assyria, after Israel planned to attack Judah with Assyria. Isaiah prophesied that it would become a scarce land; God would discipline both his people and his opponents.
17:4-6 There would be a famine for the word of God; it had been abandoned by the people therefore God would retreat. Yet there would remain a few faithful to God and therefore God would remain with them.
17:7-8 God's seemingly-everlasting work is to remind humanity not to dedicate themselves to idolatry. To our detriment, figures and ideals/idols of the world often replace our relationship with God.
17:9-11 Neglect of a relationship with God and adherence to his will causes desolation. False doctrines and false prophets, secular and otherwise, corrupt us from God's truth. We must root ourselves in God's truth for our life to be purposeful, fruitful and blessed.
17:12-14 Woe to organizations with their own doctrines, separate from God for they are woefully misguided. God message and leadership are undiluted truth. He helps us to be productive and righteous, kind and wise: impartial, merciful, hopeful, peaceful.
