The prophet Isaiah records an oracle against one of the worlds oldest cities, the capital of Syria. There are no clear time-frames given to this prophecy, other than in a space of less than twenty four hours, the city will be totally decimated leaving it in ruins and desolation. Although this oracle is specifically against Damascus, there are other areas mentioned as points of references. One can readily trace the roots of the city to around 750BC, but certainly there is evidence that the city existed for up to 2,000 years before this. Today it boasts a population of over two million inhabitants. It has been the city from which armies frequently brought conflict against the Jewish nation of Israel. The country of Syria borders Lebanon to the west and Jordan to the East, making their positioning prime for attacks against Jerusalem.

Identifying the places of interest The prophet opens with the words: “ See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins ”, (Is 17:1) . Damascus, with a history of being conquered, will meet its complete end at a designated point in time. The manner and the reasons for its destruction is only revealed towards the very end of the prophecy. Damascus is not alone and the prophet also mentions the cities of “ Aroer ” as being deserted. This is a Biblical town situated on the northern bank of the River Arnon in modern day Jordan. Since the scriptures speak of cities in the plural, it is likely to consist of multiple towns and villages distinct from its original city which today is known as Ara’ir in Jordan. This area will become a safe haven for flocks as it will have no natural enemies, (“ they will lie down as nothing will make them afraid ”) , (Is. 17:2) . It strongly implies that no human being will dwell in the vicinity.

The third area mentioned by Isaiah, refers to the general area of “ Ephraim ”. This was originally a city in a wilderness area, which was situated on a plateau with an extensive view. This place was associated with the city Jesus retreated to after raising Lazarus from the dead. Today it is believed to be the Palestinian-Christian city of Taybeh, which is situated in the West Bank. Interestingly, this city will fall, but since it is significantly smaller than Damascus, it is simply described as “disappearing”. The fourth area affected by the Damascus fall-out, is that there will only be “a remnant of Aram ”. This area was fairly extensive, stretching from the northern mountains of Lebanon all the way to even beyond the Euphrates River. Today, it spans the northern parts of Israel, Jordan and Lebanon. This remnant remaining will be so small, according to Isaiah it will be like the glory of the Israelites after their dispersal by the Babylonians in 586BC.

These four areas, Damascus, Israel’s northern belt and cities in West Jordan appears to be the instigators of the twenty four hour tragedy and receive the brunt of almost all out annihilation. Damascus will never again have any ruler who will rule over Syria from Damascus. In Isaiah’s own words, the “ royal power ” will disappear from Damascus, (Is. 17:3) .

What happens to Israel? While the first three verses gave a description of the final impact on the aggressors, the next eight scriptures speak of how the “ glory of Jacob ” will fade away. Whenever the scriptures speak of “ Jacob ” it usually speaks of Israel, in a secular or unbelieving sense. We are now given a glimpse of Israel’s agricultural landscape taking a hard hit. Isaiah likens “ the fat of Israel’s body ” as wasting away likening it’s destruction to “ heads of grain ” and “ olive trees ”, (Is. 17:5&6) . As “fat” normally speaks of surplus and abundance, the agricultural lands of Israel receive the brunt of this judgment. The prophet likens it to the harvest season in the “Valley of Rephaim”, where the harvesting of the heads of grain left the landscape appearing shredded. With this description, it is implied that the grain harvest of Israel, will be decimated. This valley is an ancient route originating from the coastal plains and continues to the hills of Judea. Since Israel’s return to their homeland they have performed great strides in their agricultural production. The southern part of Israel, together with the central and northern areas now accounts for 70% of their wheat supply, due to the higher levels of rainfall. They also have a wide range of genetically diverse wheat populations suited for differing ecological settings and resistant to certain diseases. The agricultural impact of this devastating account, is extended to include olive trees. While olive trees produce up to between 14 and 45 kilograms, (30- 100 pounds), the prophet says that only “ two or three olives ” will remain on the top most branches and only “ four or five olives ”, will remain on the fruitful boughs. This implies that Israel’s entire olive tree economy will also be absolutely decimated. This implies that the food supply is the target, as olive tree plantations extend from the mountains of Galilee, to the mountains of both Samaria and Ephraim.

The timing of this desolation While, as mentioned, no exact details are given of when this conflict emerges, we are given some important clues in the scriptures. The prophet speaks of a specific day, when the people of Israel will turn their eyes to their maker, “ The Holy One ”, of Israel, (Is.17:7) . There are three specific things mentioned which they will no longer do. Firstly, they will not look to their altars. They will also not rely on the works of their hands, implying they have had a certain amount of self reliance on their own abilities. It will be a time when they will have absolutely no regard for Asherah poles, nor even consider the alters that were made by their own hands, (Is. 17:8) .

The significance of the Asherah Pole This idol was a stylish tree, which was shaped into an image to honour the pagan goddess, Asherah. This was first formed by the Canaanite religions, where according to mythology, this goddess, together with another one named “El”, gave life to seventy other gods, including becoming the mother of Baal. It is uncertain how the first letters of God’s Jewish name, “ El ohim” became associated with this myth. Some believe it was as a result of those in Israel turning to the worship of these “Asherah poles”. Interestingly, this mythological goddess was responsible for the well being of crops and livestock. In other words, she was one of the chief fertility gods and is found throughout the Bible. During the periods of the Old Testament, God regularly reprimanded the Israelites for worshiping these gods. It was first found when God wrote the ten commandments on stone and Moses had to request God to forgive them in their stupidity of shaping a “ golden calf ”, (Ex. 34:13) . The book of Judges would later record that the “ Israelites did what was evil int he sight of the Lord ” and served both “Baal and Asheroth”, (Jd. 3:7) . The books of Kings provides one account of one king destroying the Asherah poles, but to just be rebuilt by another king who came to the throne.

These clues are particularly interesting, as the god of fertility, is no longer of any interest to any Jew, even the secular Jew. However, they do place a strong reliance on their own ability in growing agriculture in places where none has grown for centuries.

A message to the desolated alliance So as for Damascus, the cities in the western part of Jordan and the northern areas surrounding Israel, their city’s desolation and abandonment is a direct result of their activities. Vast populated areas will simply be abandoned overnight, leaving the way for “ thickets and undergrowth ”, (Is. 17:9) to take over. This prophecy speaks of the comprehensive destruction of some of Israel’s closest enemies today.

A message to Israel But God also projected His message for Israel. He reminds them that they have forgotten, their “ God and Saviour ”. In so doing, they made great plans planting and importing vineyards in the anticipation of a great harvest. But that harvest and the works of their own hands will come to nothing. Rather, it will be associated with a day of “ disease and incurable pain ”, (Is. 17:10-11) .

A message to the nations The final message given is to all the nations that rage against Israel. It also provides some subtle clues on how they are destroyed and has certain parallels to other prophecies, scheduled to be fulfilled in the last days. The phrases: “ they rage like the raging sea ” and “roar like the roaring of great waters ”, (Is. 17:12) , illustrates how aggressive their posture is and how vast is the people who belong to them. The nations directly surrounding Israel, sincerely believe that due to their aggressive nature and their size that they will have their way. How will these aggressive forces be silenced? They are silenced by God who rebukes them and they are “ driven before the wind like chaff on the hills, like tumbleweed before a gale ”, (Is. 17:13) . We find this exact description also included in the prophecy of Psalm 83. The reason for their desolated cities, is made clear in Isaiah’s closing section, where he says that “ This is the portion of those who loot us, the lot of those who plunder us ”, (Is. 17:14) . The nations were roaring in an attempt to decimate Israel’s economy and agricultural sector and although they have partial success, it invokes their complete destruction, rendering Israel’s enemies lack of presence in the north.

The final outcome Although some claim that this event must have occurred in the eighth century BC by the Assyrians, the context and historical evidence does not support any previous fulfillment. There are many reasons why its fulfillment has always been an impossibility. The first reason is fairly obvious, as this aggression is quelled in a very short period of time, “ In the evening sudden terror. Before the morning, they are gone! ”, (Is. 17:14) . T his is an overnight event which leaves vast parts to the north of Israel absolutely decimated, Damascus, the capital city of Syria is obliterated along with the western portions of Jordan, becoming inhabitable. It is a sudden uprising, that is quelled just as fast as it starts. Another reason why it never was fulfilled, is that the Israelites were well known for worshiping the Asheran gods up to and including them being taken captive by Babylon, almost 200 years after the Assyrian invasion of northern Israel.

Perhaps the most chilling reason, is that never in history has there been the capability of obliterating cities as well as vast areas of land, overnight. It is only with the development of both chemical and nuclear warfare, that this prophecy has the propensity to be fulfilled both by the aggressors, as well as the defenders. Naturally, this is assuming God does not turn the mountains of Israel upside down Himself. While many Christians are watching the aggression of Russia and implore us to watch for the potential of Russia coming against the mountains of Israel, this prophecy remains on the back- burner. However, this prophecy explains why Syria, as well as the West Bank is not mentioned as part of Gog’s invasion forces. One would certainly expect them to be listed in the forces of Gog as envisaged in Ezekiel, chapters 38 & 39. Since they are not, one can deduce it is because these arch- rivals of Israel have already been desolated, paving the way for a temporary peace in the Middle East. This prepares the way for Israel, in its modernized state, to be in a position for its first time to feel safe from its enemies. It is my opinion that this overnight destruction of Damascus, West Jordan and areas in the West Bank, paves the way for a secondary invasion attempt. As we learn from prophecy, this too will come to a grinding halt.