Woe to the multitude of many people
A short triumph
These verses read the doom of those that spoil and rob the people of God.
If the Syrians and Israelites invade and plunder Judah--if the Assyrian army take God’s people captive, and lay their countrywaste,--let them know that ruin will be their portion. They are here brought in--
I. TRIUMPHING OVER THE PEOPLE OF GOD. They rely upon their numbers. They are very noisy, like the noise of the seas; they talk big, hector and threaten.
II. TRIUMPHED OVER BY THE JUDGMENTS OF GOD. God can dispirit the enemies of His Church, when they are most courageous and confident, and dissipate them when they seem most closely consolidated. This shall be done suddenly (Isaiah 17:14). (M. Henry.)
The punishment of the wicked
I. THE STRIKING CONTRASTS WHICH THE DAY OF VISITATION REVEALS RESPECTING THE CONDUCT AND POSITION OF THE WICKED. Verse 12 shows us the vast and varied host in fancied security; we have a magnificent picture of a state of might, pomp, vainglory, self-confidence; but ere we reach the end of Isaiah 17:13, we see it scattered. We see the same contrast in everyday life; wicked men secure, strong, boastful--the next moment utterly cast down (Psalms 73:18-20); or, by the near approach of death, transformed into the subjects of a pitiable despair.
II. THE RESISTLESS EXECUTION OF THE SENTENCE OF DOOM.
III. THE SWIFTNESS WITH WHICH THE SENTENCE OF DOOM IS EXECUTED (Isaiah 17:14). It is true that the punishment of the wicked often seems to be delayed (Ecclesiastes 8:11); but--
1. Sin and punishment are inseparable.
2. Whenever the punishment comes it is sudden. Such is the blinding and delusive power of cherished sin that its penalty always finds the sinner unprepared to receive it; it is always a surprise and a shock to him. Conclusion--
(1) Nations and armies cannot successfully evade the penalties of their sins; how much less can the individual sinner do so!
(2) The certainty of the punishment of all unrepented sin should lead us seriously to reflect upon the attitude we are assuming before God.
(3) The subject should lead to repentance, but not to despair (Psalms 130:7). (W. Manning.)