Reading for May 8th

Read Isaiah 17.1-11. In 17.1-11: Pophecies concerning Israel and Damascus. In verses 1-6:The background is that of the alliance of Syria (Damascus) and Ephraim (Israel) against Judah, which is also present in chs. 7-8. The message is that expressed in the name of Isaiah's son Shera-jashub ("a remenant returns," Isa 7.3). Instead of the defeated remnant of an army, this time the image is that of gleanings after a harvest. In verses 7-9: The orginal threat gives only a geneal reason for the coming disaster (vv. 10-11); this added warning against trust in the power of idols intensifies the threat (see 2.8). In verses 10-11: Reference to the hyperbolic growth of plants reflects a form of fertility ritual with religious (and propbably also sexual) significance. Comments or Questions..