Sometimes reading the prophets writings can get a little bit negative. The reality was the prophets often had to give a message to the people of "bad news" from the Lord. Isaiah had been giving that bad news to other nations in chapters 13-16 and then chapter 17 God turns His message towards Israel. The prophet was probably well received when the enemies of Israel were in trouble but was not received quite as well when he starts to tell "bad news" for Israel.
Isaiah 17:4
“In that day Israel’s glory will grow dim;
its robust body will waste away.
We do not usually like to hear bad news about our own nation and about a land and a people we love. In the US we tend to only like to hear the good about who we are and it is hard to hear the negative about our nation. In these days of seeing the racial divide in our country and the political divide in our country - it is noticeable that something is wrong. I don't expect the US to be God's nation of Israel but I do have hopes of the people of God rising up and making a positive impact on our culture. Isaiah reminded the people of Israel and us today that when we face the consequences of our sins we must turn to God for help.
Isaiah 17:7-8
Then at last the people will look to their Creator and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel.
8 They will no longer look to their idols for help or worship what their own hands have made.
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