What The Bible Says About Syria (Part 2)

This post continues a four-part series on last Sunday's sermon at Apollo Assembly of God.  The subject is Syria.  Stay tuned for the next 2 installments.

Three Old Testament prophets speak about judgment on Syria.

• One of the literary devices used by biblical writers is called synecdoche. That means mentioning a part to refer to the whole. When the prophets use the word "Damascus," we must ask if they were referring to the city itself or to the nation, Syria.
• Isa. 17:1-3. (1) "Damascus will no longer be a city." (2) Damascus "will become a heap of ruins." (3) The devastation of Damascus will spread into neighboring Israel. (4) Syria will no longer be self-governing, and a high percentage of its population will die. Only a remnant will survive.
• Jer. 49:23-27. (1) This paragraph appears in a larger section having to do with God's end-time judgment upon the nations that surround Israel. (2) Something catastrophic happens to Damascus and its effect emotionally devastates the inhabitants of Hamath and Arpad (two cities in the northern area of Syria). (3) Many inhabitants of Damascus will flee, but the city won't be left empty. (4) The military will respond to the threat. God will eliminate the military might of Syria.
• Amos 1:3-5. (1) This paragraph gives a reason for God's judgment. Syria "threshed Gilead with sledges having iron teeth." A good summary word would be "cruelty." Gilead was the territory of Israel that bordered Syria. (2) God said He would send fire as part of His judgment. It is unclear whether this fire will be a result of military conflict or a direct flamethrow from God's hand.  It wouldn't be the first time God sent literal fire from heaven.