Isaiah Chapter 8

From The Open Bible Project

8:1 Yahweh said to me, "Take a large tablet, and write on it with a man's pen, '[10] For Maher Shalal Hash Baz; [See Isaiah Footnotes 10]'

• (a) That you may write in great letters to the intent that it may be more easily read.
• (b) Meaning, after the common fashion, because all men might read it.

8:2 and I will take for myself faithful witnesses to testify: Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah."

• (c) Because the thing was of great importance, he took these two witnesses, who were of credit with the people, when he set this up upon the door of the temple, even though Uriah was a flattering hypocrite, (2 Kings 16:11).

8:3 I went to the prophetess, and she conceived, and bore a son. Then said Yahweh to me, "Call his name 'Maher Shalal Hash Baz.'

• (d) Meaning, to his wife and this was done in a vision.

8:4 For before the child knows how to say, 'My father,' and, 'My mother,' the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away by the king of Assyria."

• (e) Before any child is able to speak.
• (f) That is, the army of Assyria.

8:5 Yahweh spoke to me yet again, saying,

8:6 "Because this people have refused the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;

• (g) Which was a fountain at the foot of mount Zion, out of which ran a small river through the city: meaning, that they of Judah distrusting their own power which was small desired such power and riches as they saw in Syria and Israel.

8:7 now therefore, behold, the Lord brings upon them the mighty flood waters of the River: the king of Assyria and all his glory. It will come up over all its channels, and go over all its banks.

• (h) That is, the Assyrians who dwell beyond Euphrates.

8:8 It will sweep onward into Judah. It will overflow and pass through; it will reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of its wings will fill the breadth of your land, Immanuel.

• (i) It will be ready to drown them.
• (k) He speaks this to Messiah, or Christ, in whom the faithful were comforted and who would not suffer his Church to be destroyed utterly.

8:9 Make an uproar, you peoples, and be broken in pieces! Listen, all you from far countries: dress for battle, and be shattered! Dress for battle, and be shattered!

• (l) That is, you who are enemies to the Church, as the Assyrians, Egyptians, Syrians etc.

8:10 Take counsel together, and it will be brought to nothing; speak the word, and it will not stand: for God is with us."

8:11 For Yahweh spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying,

• (m) To encourage me that I should not shrink for the infidelity of this people, and so neglect my office.

8:12 "Don't say, 'A conspiracy!' concerning all about which this people say, 'A conspiracy!' neither fear their threats, nor be terrorized.

• (n) Consent not you who are godly to the league and friendship that this people seek with strangers and idolaters.
• (o) Meaning, that they should not fear the thing that they who have no hope in God feared.

8:13 Yahweh of Armies is who you must respect as holy. He is the one you must fear. He is the one you must dread.

• (p) In putting your trust only in him, in calling on him in adversity, patiently looking for his help, and fearing to do anything contrary to his will.

8:14 He will be a sanctuary, but for both houses of Israel, he will be a trap and a snare for the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

• (q) He will defend you who are his elect, and reject all the rest, meaning Christ against whom the Jews would stumble and fall, (Luke 2:23; Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:7,8).

8:15 Many will stumble over it, fall, be broken, be snared, and be captured."

8:16 Wrap up the testimony. Seal the law among my disciples.

• (r) Though all forsake me, yet you who are mine keep my word sure sealed in your hearts.

8:17 I will wait for Yahweh, who hides his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.

8:18 Behold, I and the children whom Yahweh has given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from Yahweh of Armies, who dwells in Mount Zion.

• (s) Meaning, them who were willing to hear and obey the word of God whom the world hated, as though they were monsters and not worthy to live.
• (t) This was a consolation in their troubles, knowing that nothing could come to them, but by the will of the Lord.

8:19 When they tell you, "Consult with those who have familiar spirits and with the wizards, who chirp and who mutter:" shouldn't a people consult with their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living?

• (u) Answer the wicked thus, should not God’s people seek comfort only from him?
• (x) That is, will they refuse to be taught by the prophet, who is the mouth of God, and seek help from the dead, which is the illusion of Satan?

8:20 Turn to the law and to the testimony! If they don't speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.

• (y) Seek remedy in the word of God, where his will is declared.
• (z) They have no knowledge but are blind leaders of the blind.

8:21 They will pass through it, sore distressed and hungry; and it will happen that when they are hungry, they will worry, and curse by their king and by their God. They will turn their faces upward,

• (a) That is, in Judah, where they would have had rest, if they had not thus grievously offended God.
• (b) In whom before they put their trust.

8:22 and look to the earth, and see distress, darkness, and the gloom of anguish. They will be driven into thick darkness.

• (c) They will think that heaven and earth and all creatures are bent against them to trouble them.