Who is Your Rock of Strength?

O. T. #1593  "Who is Your Rock of Strength?"
Dec. 26, 2019
Isaiah 17
Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips.
(verse 10)

LET IT GLOW

4. The Burden, Oracle, or Message to Damascus

At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.  (verse 7)

Damascus was the capital of Syria, sometimes called Aram. It was located northeast of Mt. Hermon on the main land route between Mesopotamia and Egypt, which made it very influential (east of the Dad Sea). The Assyrians destroyed Damascus in 732 B.C. (MacArthur)

There is usually something good that comes from the judgment of God on these nations. The purpose of this severe judgment on Syria is to awaken a remnant so they repent of their sins and depend upon the Lord. Do we look to God our Creator?

LET IT GROW

Ephraim and Jacob were names used for Israel, the northern kingdom. They made an alliance with Aram (Syria) to fight against Assyria. However, Assyria captured Damascus in 732 BC, who turned to idols,  and annexed the northern kingdom of Israel. Then Ahaz, Judah'[s king, paid tribute to the king of Assyria (2 Kings 16).

Life Application Study Bible warns us:

Often we depend on the trappings of success  (expensive cars, pastimes, clothes, homes) to give us fulfillment. But God says we will reap grief and pain if we have depended on temporal things to give us eternal security. If we don't want the same treatment Damascus received, we must turn from these false allurements and trust in God.

Look at verses 6-10. What names for God does Isaiah use?

• LORD God of Israel (verse 6)
• the Holy One of Israel (verse 7)
• the God of thy salvation (verse 10)
• the rock of thy strength (verse 10).

David said often in Psalms that God was his rock and salvation. Rock refers to a cliff; a refuge; mighty God (one) rock; strength.
Psalm 73:26 says, God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.

When we are in need of strength, we can run to the Rock of our salvation, our God.

LET IT GO

Remind me to run to You, the Rock of my strength when I am weak; when I need encouragement.