Isaiah 8:13
Verse
Context
A Call to Fear God
12“Do not call conspiracy everything these people regard as conspiracy. Do not fear what they fear; do not live in dread. 13The LORD of Hosts is the One you shall regard as holy. Only He should be feared; only He should be dreaded. 14And He will be a sanctuary— but to both houses of Israel a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, to the dwellers of Jerusalem a trap and a snare.
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
The object of their fear was a very different one. "Jehovah of hosts, sanctify Him; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your terror. So will He become a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence (vexation) to both the houses of Israel, a snare and trap to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble, and shall fall; and be dashed to pieces, and be snared and taken." The logical apodosis to Isa 8:13 commences with v'hâhâh (so shall He be). If ye actually acknowledge Jehovah the Holy One as the Holy One (hikdı̄sh, as in Isa 29:23), and if it is He whom ye fear, and who fills you with dread (ma‛arı̄tz, used for the object of dread, as mōrah is for the object of fear; hence "that which terrifies" in a causative sense), He will become a mikdâsh. The word mikdâsh may indeed denote the object sanctified, and so Knobel understands it here according to Num 18:29; but if we adhere to the strict notion of the word, this gives an unmeaning apodosis. Mikdâsh generally means the sanctified place or sanctuary, with which the idea of an asylum would easily associate itself, since even among the Israelites the temple was regarded and respected as an asylum (Kg1 1:50; Kg1 2:28). This is the explanation which most of the commentators have adopted here; and the punctuators also took it in the same sense, when they divided the two halves of Isa 8:14 by athnach as antithetical. And mikdâsh is really to be taken in this sense, although it cannot be exactly rendered "asylum," since this would improperly limit the meaning of the word. The temple was not only a place of shelter, but also of grace, blessing, and peace. All who sanctified the Lord of lords He surrounded like temple walls; hid them in Himself, whilst death and tribulation reigned without, and comforted, fed, and blessed them in His own gracious fellowship. This is the true explanation of v'hâyâh l'mikdâs, according to such passages as Isa 4:5-6; Psa 27:5; Psa 31:21. To the two houses of Israel, on the contrary, i.e., to the great mass of the people of both kingdoms who neither sanctified nor feared Jehovah, He would be a rock and snare. The synonyms are intentionally heaped together (cf., Isa 28:13), to produce the fearful impression of death occurring in many forms, but all inevitable. The first three verbs of Isa 8:15 refer to the "stone" ('eben) and "rock" (tzūr); the last two to the "snare" (pach), and "trap" or springe (mōkēsh). (Note: Malbim observes quite correctly, that "the pach catches, but does not hurt; the mokesh catches and hurts (e.g., by seizing the legs or nose, Job 40:24): the former is a simple snare (or net), the latter a springe, or snare which catches by means of a spring" (Amo 3:5).) All who did not give glory to Jehovah would be dashed to pieces upon His work as upon a stone, and caught therein as in a trap. This was the burden of the divine warning, which the prophet heard for himself and for those that believed.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Sanctify--Honor His holy name by regarding Him as your only hope of safety (Isa 29:23; Num 20:12). him . . . fear--"fear" lest you provoke His wrath by your fear of man and distrust of Him.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself,.... Christ, Immanuel, God with us, the Lord of the armies above and below, of angels and of men, God over all, the true Jehovah, who is sanctified by his people, when they declare him to be so; as the Targum paraphrases it, "the Lord of hosts, him shall ye say is holy;'' for they cannot make him so, nor can he receive any holiness from them, nor does he need any; but they celebrate the perfection of his holiness, and ascribe it to him; yea, they sanctify him, by ascribing their holiness to him; by looking to him as their sanctification, and by deriving and expecting every degree and measure of holiness from him, to complete theirs; by exercising faith upon him, and showing a regard to his commands and ordinances: and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread; that is, the object of fear and dread; not of a servile fear and dread, but of a holy reverence and godly fear; such a fear as is the grace of the covenant, which flows from the goodness of God, and has that for its object, and is influenced by it; see Hos 3:5 where the same Lord, Messiah, David the king, is meant, as here. See Pe1 3:15.
Isaiah 8:13
A Call to Fear God
12“Do not call conspiracy everything these people regard as conspiracy. Do not fear what they fear; do not live in dread. 13The LORD of Hosts is the One you shall regard as holy. Only He should be feared; only He should be dreaded. 14And He will be a sanctuary— but to both houses of Israel a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, to the dwellers of Jerusalem a trap and a snare.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
The Fear of the Lord
By Joy Dawson1761:26:40Fear Of The LordPrayer and IntercessionHolinessPRO 2:1PRO 8:13PRO 16:6ISA 8:13MAL 2:5MAT 10:26ACT 5:11ROM 3:172CO 7:1EPH 5:21Joy Dawson emphasizes the critical need for the fear of the Lord within the body of Christ, explaining that true fear is not about being afraid of God but rather having a deep reverence and hatred for sin. She discusses various levels of attitudes towards sin and how the fear of the Lord can lead to a genuine transformation in our lives, enabling us to avoid evil and live in holiness. Dawson also highlights the importance of prayer and intercession in restoring this fear, urging believers to take their relationship with God seriously and to seek His guidance earnestly. The sermon culminates in a call for prayer, emphasizing that the fear of the Lord is essential for true revival and spiritual awakening in the church and the world.
So Great Salvation: The Fear of the Lord
By Paris Reidhead12345:09Fear Of GodDEU 10:12JOS 24:14PRO 8:13ECC 12:13ISA 8:13HEB 2:3HEB 12:5In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not just memorizing and reciting the word of God, but truly experiencing and living it. He criticizes the idea of being like a tape recorder that simply plays back information without any personal connection or understanding. The speaker believes that it is crucial for believers to have a deep and vibrant relationship with the truth they profess and the salvation they embrace. He warns against the danger of becoming professional or mechanical in handling the things of God, and instead encourages a genuine and heartfelt approach. The sermon also touches on the need for missionaries to effectively communicate the message of God by connecting with their audience and using their material in a compelling way.
Praying to Experience the Fear of God, Part 2
By Mike Bickle2153:10Prayer and IntercessionFear Of GodPSA 19:9PRO 1:29PRO 8:13ISA 8:13JER 32:40JER 33:3ACT 2:43ACT 4:312CO 7:1JAS 4:2Mike Bickle emphasizes the necessity of praying for the fear of God, drawing from Jeremiah 32 and 33, where God promises to instill this fear in the hearts of those who seek it. He encourages the congregation to contend for this divine gift, especially as they prepare for an upcoming conference with thousands of young people, believing that such prayer can lead to significant spiritual breakthroughs. Bickle highlights that the fear of God is not only a choice but also a gift and a character trait that can be cultivated through prayer and community. He warns against the dangers of spiritual complacency and the importance of recognizing God's watchfulness and the real consequences of our actions. Ultimately, he calls for a collective effort to seek the fear of God in their lives and ministries.
1 Peter 3:15
By John Gill0Readiness to Share FaithSanctificationISA 8:13MAT 7:6ROM 9:33HEB 10:231PE 3:15John Gill emphasizes the importance of sanctifying the Lord God in our hearts, which involves recognizing and proclaiming His holiness rather than attempting to make Him holy. He explains that this internal sanctification is crucial for overcoming fear of men and is rooted in a childlike fear of God, grounded in faith and His promises. Gill also stresses the necessity for Christians to be prepared to give a reason for their hope in Christ, doing so with humility and reverence, and being knowledgeable about the foundations of their faith. This readiness to respond is not just for intellectual debate but is a reflection of one's relationship with God and understanding of the Gospel. Ultimately, believers are called to live out their faith authentically and be prepared to share it with others.
Fear and Awe
By David Wilkerson0ReverenceFear Of GodPSA 119:120ISA 8:13ISA 51:12EZK 22:14HAB 3:16HEB 11:7David Wilkerson emphasizes the distinction between fleshly fear and reverential awe of God, urging believers to recognize the power of God's judgments rather than succumbing to anxiety about worldly troubles. He cites examples from the Bible, such as Noah, David, and Habakkuk, who experienced a holy fear that stemmed from their understanding of God's holiness and righteousness. Wilkerson warns against the sinful fear of losing material possessions and encourages believers to place their trust in God, who should be their ultimate source of fear and awe. He reminds us that true fear of the Lord leads to life, not death, and calls for a shift in focus from worldly fears to a deep reverence for God.
Astonished Reverence
By A.W. Tozer0WorshipFear Of GodPSA 111:10PRO 1:7ISA 8:13HEB 12:28A.W. Tozer emphasizes the essential nature of the fear of God in the life of a Christian, describing it as an 'astonished reverence' that fosters a deep awareness of God's presence. He laments the absence of this powerful sense of godly fear in contemporary churches, asserting that it ranges from the terror of guilt before a holy God to the joyful rapture of worship. Tozer believes that this reverential fear, intertwined with love and adoration, is the most purifying and enjoyable state for the human soul. He argues that true fear of God is not only worship but also a source of high moral happiness, as it reflects the reality of God's existence.
Epistle 33
By George Fox0ISA 8:13MAT 18:20MAT 28:20JHN 3:19JHN 17:14ACT 26:18ROM 2:15ROM 5:17GAL 6:81PE 3:19George Fox preaches about the importance of waiting in the light of Christ, being guided by His power and wisdom, and manifesting the fear and dread of the Lord in all aspects of life. He emphasizes the need to be obedient to the power that comes from Christ, to avoid stumbling blocks, and to walk in righteousness and truth. Fox urges believers to condemn anything contrary to the light of Christ, to keep strife away, and to let the Prince of peace reign in their hearts.
Not Enough Pens- nor Enough Paper (A Brief Look Into Jewish Persecution) Introduction
By Robert Wurtz II0PSA 25:14PSA 31:19PSA 34:7PSA 103:11PSA 145:19PRO 9:10PRO 12:4PRO 14:26PRO 31:30ISA 8:13John Piper preaches on the importance of praising and honoring women who fear the Lord, using Proverbs 31:30 as the focal point. He highlights the acrostic structure of Proverbs 31 and the 22 praiseworthy attributes of a woman who fears the Lord. Piper delves into the meaning of 'fearing the Lord' as a deep reverence and trust in God, leading to peace, security, and hope. He emphasizes the blessings and promises that come with fearing the Lord, encouraging women to find strength, wisdom, and generosity in their faith.
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
The object of their fear was a very different one. "Jehovah of hosts, sanctify Him; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your terror. So will He become a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence (vexation) to both the houses of Israel, a snare and trap to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble, and shall fall; and be dashed to pieces, and be snared and taken." The logical apodosis to Isa 8:13 commences with v'hâhâh (so shall He be). If ye actually acknowledge Jehovah the Holy One as the Holy One (hikdı̄sh, as in Isa 29:23), and if it is He whom ye fear, and who fills you with dread (ma‛arı̄tz, used for the object of dread, as mōrah is for the object of fear; hence "that which terrifies" in a causative sense), He will become a mikdâsh. The word mikdâsh may indeed denote the object sanctified, and so Knobel understands it here according to Num 18:29; but if we adhere to the strict notion of the word, this gives an unmeaning apodosis. Mikdâsh generally means the sanctified place or sanctuary, with which the idea of an asylum would easily associate itself, since even among the Israelites the temple was regarded and respected as an asylum (Kg1 1:50; Kg1 2:28). This is the explanation which most of the commentators have adopted here; and the punctuators also took it in the same sense, when they divided the two halves of Isa 8:14 by athnach as antithetical. And mikdâsh is really to be taken in this sense, although it cannot be exactly rendered "asylum," since this would improperly limit the meaning of the word. The temple was not only a place of shelter, but also of grace, blessing, and peace. All who sanctified the Lord of lords He surrounded like temple walls; hid them in Himself, whilst death and tribulation reigned without, and comforted, fed, and blessed them in His own gracious fellowship. This is the true explanation of v'hâyâh l'mikdâs, according to such passages as Isa 4:5-6; Psa 27:5; Psa 31:21. To the two houses of Israel, on the contrary, i.e., to the great mass of the people of both kingdoms who neither sanctified nor feared Jehovah, He would be a rock and snare. The synonyms are intentionally heaped together (cf., Isa 28:13), to produce the fearful impression of death occurring in many forms, but all inevitable. The first three verbs of Isa 8:15 refer to the "stone" ('eben) and "rock" (tzūr); the last two to the "snare" (pach), and "trap" or springe (mōkēsh). (Note: Malbim observes quite correctly, that "the pach catches, but does not hurt; the mokesh catches and hurts (e.g., by seizing the legs or nose, Job 40:24): the former is a simple snare (or net), the latter a springe, or snare which catches by means of a spring" (Amo 3:5).) All who did not give glory to Jehovah would be dashed to pieces upon His work as upon a stone, and caught therein as in a trap. This was the burden of the divine warning, which the prophet heard for himself and for those that believed.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Sanctify--Honor His holy name by regarding Him as your only hope of safety (Isa 29:23; Num 20:12). him . . . fear--"fear" lest you provoke His wrath by your fear of man and distrust of Him.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself,.... Christ, Immanuel, God with us, the Lord of the armies above and below, of angels and of men, God over all, the true Jehovah, who is sanctified by his people, when they declare him to be so; as the Targum paraphrases it, "the Lord of hosts, him shall ye say is holy;'' for they cannot make him so, nor can he receive any holiness from them, nor does he need any; but they celebrate the perfection of his holiness, and ascribe it to him; yea, they sanctify him, by ascribing their holiness to him; by looking to him as their sanctification, and by deriving and expecting every degree and measure of holiness from him, to complete theirs; by exercising faith upon him, and showing a regard to his commands and ordinances: and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread; that is, the object of fear and dread; not of a servile fear and dread, but of a holy reverence and godly fear; such a fear as is the grace of the covenant, which flows from the goodness of God, and has that for its object, and is influenced by it; see Hos 3:5 where the same Lord, Messiah, David the king, is meant, as here. See Pe1 3:15.