Isaiah 8
Isaiah 8 describes the prophet's warnings to the people of Judah about the impending invasion of Assyria. The chapter focuses on how the people rejected God's guidance, relying on human alliances instead. God instructs Isaiah to name his son symbolically and warns Judah of the consequences of their disobedience. The chapter also highlights God's sovereignty, encouraging the faithful to trust Him despite the coming calamity.
Isaiah 8:1-4 (NKJV)
1 Moreover the Lord said to me, “Take a large scroll, and write on it with a man’s pen concerning Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz.
2 And I will take for Myself faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.”
3 Then I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Then the Lord said to me, “Call his name Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz;
4 for before the child shall have knowledge to cry ‘My father’ and ‘My mother,’ the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be taken away before the king of Assyria.”
God instructs Isaiah to write down the name "Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz," meaning "Quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil." This name reflects the speed at which Assyria will conquer Damascus and Samaria. Isaiah's son symbolizes the imminent judgment on these nations. The faithful witnesses, Uriah and Zechariah, are called to confirm the prophecy, emphasizing its certainty.
Isaiah 8:5-8 (NKJV)
5 The Lord also spoke to me again, saying:
6 “Inasmuch as these people refused the waters of Shiloah that flow softly,
And rejoice in Rezin and in Remaliah’s son;
7 Now therefore, behold, the Lord brings up over them
The waters of the River, strong and mighty—
The king of Assyria and all his glory;
He will go up over all his channels
And go over all his banks.
8 He will pass through Judah,
He will overflow and pass over,
He will reach up to the neck;
And the stretching out of his wings
Will fill the breadth of Your land, O Immanuel.”
The people of Judah rejected God's peaceful guidance, symbolized by the gentle waters of Shiloah, choosing instead to rely on alliances with Syria and Israel. Because of their refusal, God will bring the Assyrian army, compared to a mighty river, to overwhelm Judah. Though Judah will be flooded by this invasion, it will not be completely destroyed—Immanuel's presence (God with us) will still protect it.
Isaiah 8:9-10 (NKJV)
9 “Be shattered, O you peoples, and be broken in pieces!
Give ear, all you from far countries.
Gird yourselves, but be broken in pieces;
Gird yourselves, but be broken in pieces.
10 Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing;
Speak the word, but it will not stand,
For God is with us.”
Though the nations may gather to plot against Judah, all their plans will ultimately fail. God encourages Isaiah and the faithful to trust in Him, for no scheme against His people will succeed. The assurance of "God is with us" (Immanuel) is a reminder that God's protection is greater than any human threat.
Isaiah 8:11-15 (NKJV)
11 For the Lord spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying:
12 “Do not say, ‘A conspiracy,’
Concerning all that this people call a conspiracy,
Nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.
13 The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow;
Let Him be your fear,
And let Him be your dread.
14 He will be as a sanctuary,
But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense
To both the houses of Israel,
As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
15 And many among them shall stumble;
They shall fall and be broken,
Be snared and taken.”
Isaiah is warned not to follow the fear-driven ways of the people, who see conspiracies everywhere. Instead, they are to trust God alone and revere Him as their sanctuary. However, God Himself will become a stumbling block to those who reject Him, causing many in Israel and Judah to fall due to their unbelief and disobedience.
Isaiah 8:16-18 (NKJV)
16 Bind up the testimony,
Seal the law among my disciples.
17 And I will wait on the Lord,
Who hides His face from the house of Jacob;
And I will hope in Him.
18 Here am I and the children whom the Lord has given me!
We are for signs and wonders in Israel
From the Lord of hosts,
Who dwells in Mount Zion.
Isaiah declares that he will wait on the Lord, even as God's presence seems hidden from the unfaithful. He and his children serve as signs of God's plans for Israel, representing His warnings and promises. Isaiah’s trust in God's timing and sovereignty remains firm despite the present challenges.
Isaiah 8:19-22 (NKJV)
19 And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living?
20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
21 They will pass through it hard-pressed and hungry; and it shall happen, when they are hungry, that they will be enraged and curse their king and their God, and look upward.
22 Then they will look to the earth, and see trouble and darkness, gloom of anguish; and they will be driven into darkness.
The people of Judah, in their desperation, turn to mediums and wizards instead of seeking God. Isaiah condemns this, urging them to seek guidance from God's law and testimony instead. Those who reject God's word will face severe consequences: hunger, rage, and spiritual darkness. Their rebellion will only lead to deeper despair and darkness.