Isaiah 17:12
12 Woe [howy] to the multitude [hamown] of many [rab] people [`am], which make a noise [hamah]
like the noise [hamah] of the seas [yam]; and to the rushing [sha'own] of nations [laom], that make a rushing
like the rushing [sha'ah] of mighty [kabbiyr] waters [mayim]! KJV-Interlinear
12 Alas, the uproar of many
peoples Who roar like the roaring of the seas, And the rumbling of nations Who
rush on like the rumbling of mighty waters! NASB
Woe, ‘howy,’ means ah
ha, alas, anguish, affliction, grief, distress, despair. And so now Isaiah, numbers the armies that
number in numbers beyond counting, and proud beyond pride, for they will ignore
the warning, woe, and charge into the jaws of a destruction of their own
making.
Certain of victory, but
blind of truth.
The armies of Armageddon,
will be made up of huge numbers. But Armageddon
will not occur until the very end of the Tribulation, and well after the entire
world has been brought to the brink of destruction.
And yet, the
manufacturing and preparation of the implements of war will remain the priority
of world leaders, as they are driven by Satan for the sole purpose of the
destruction of all of humanity.
It won’t matter that people
the world over will be in need of rescue, repair, and support in every kind
imaginable. The hate and drive fueled by
Satan, will override all reason and logic, and compassion.
And here, Isaiah
describes the vast numbers of the many armies that will assemble in the Middle
East, in terms of the noise of restless stormy seas. So loud, that you would not be able to hear
yourself think. But so loud as to
describe the vastness of their numbers, of their intentions, and of their
purpose.
It will not be a mere
remnant that will be fighting in that last war, but there will still be a huge
world population remaining, to prepare for the fight, to supply the fight, and
to carry out the fight. Numbers that could easily be used for the recovery of
humanity, but will be driven for its extinction.
