Isaiah 8

Isaiah 8:1

2. Messiah’s Marvelous Land (Chaps. 810)8:1-4 The Lord instructs Isaiah to write “Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz” on a tablet in clear letters, and to have two witnesses, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah, who will later attest the message. The name means “speed the spoil, hasten the booty,” and points to the destruction of Syria and Israel by Assyria. The LORD interprets the meaning when he directs Isaiah to give this name to his newborn child. 8:5-10 The Lord also has a word about Israel. Because the people of the northern Kingdom had refused the waters of Shiloah that flow softly, they will be inundated by the River, i.e., the Euphrates. Shiloah (called “Siloam” in Joh_9:7) was the secret water supply of Jerusalem and is here used as a symbol of God’s word of grace or of trust in the Lord. The Euphrates typifies Assyria which will conquer Israel and Syria. It will also invade Judah, covering the breadth of Immanuel’s land, but not with complete successonly up to the neck. Judah’s enemies will eventually be shattered in spite of their plans and preparations. 8:11-15 Isaiah is instructed by Jehovah not to join this people in their fear of the conspiracy formed against them, but to trust the Lord alone. He will be as a sanctuary to all who rely on Him, but a stone of stumbling to all others. 8:16-18 Isaiah commands that the word of the Lord be stored up by faithful disciples until history records its fulfillment. The prophet will wait for the Lord, who is now estranged from His people, and . . . will hope in Him. Isaiah (Jehovah saves), Shear-jashub (a remnant shall return), and Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (speed the spoil, hasten the booty) are by their very names signs and wonders of God’s eventual mercy to Israel and judgment on their foes. 8:19 The prophet cautions his people against those who advocate consulting spirit mediums and wizards. Men should turn to the living God, not to the dead on behalf of the living. Today’s devotion to the occult is nothing new: Before every great crisis in human affairs there has been an outburst of spiritism. So it was in Judah and Israel just before the captivity. So it was at the time of Christ’s Incarnation and atoning Death. So it is to-day. God has provided all that is requisite for our guidance and spiritual needs in the Scriptures of truth (2Ti_3:16-17). 8:20-22 All teachers must be tested by the word of God. If their teaching does not agree with the Scriptures, “there is no light in them.” All who are thus misguided will wander about, hard pressed and hungry, cursing their God and their king for their plight. They will look heavenward and earthward for relief, but will find nothing but darkness and gloom of anguish.