Sermon notes

INTRODUCTION

Because of King Ahaz’s lack of faith in Yahweh, and his trust in power politics, swift judgment is coming on Judah. Yet, Judah’s defeat will not be final. God is with His people even in this, and the nations will be shattered as swiftly as they have plundered Israel.

THE TEXT

“Moreover the LORD said to me, “Take a large scroll, and write on it with a man’s pen concerning Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz . . . .” (Isaiah 8:1-22).

STRUCTURE

Isaiah 8 seems a random collection of contradictory prophesies. Assyria is coming soon (vv. 1-8), but Yahweh will shatter the nations (vv. 9-10). Those who fear Yahweh will be safe (vv. 12-13), but He will trip and trap “both the houses of Israel” and “the inhabitants of Jerusalem” (vv. 14-15). Yahweh rescues those who wait (v. 17), but Judah will be driven out of the land into exile (vv. 21-22). But there is no contradiction. There is a double fate for Judah because there are two Judahs – the mainline Judah that follows the lead of Ahaz, and the remnant that hears Yahweh’s instruction.

OVERFLOWING RIVER

Children are signs throughout this passage (7:14-17; 8:3-4). Isaiah “writes” a message to Judah by having a son and naming him “Speed-spoil-haste-booty” (vv. 1-3). Before he has reached the age to call on his parents, the Assyrians will carry away the spoil of Damascus and Samaria. Jerusalem’s water supply came from the Gihon spring through the stream of Shiloah, and here the stream symbolizes Yahweh as a spring of life for His people (v. 6). Ahaz and Jerusalem have rejected that water source, and the Lord is going to bring a water judgment: The Euphrates will overflow and flood Judah up to her neck (v. 8). Assyria will pass through like a giant bird of prey (v. 8b). Immanuel’s land will be overshadowed; Immanuel too will share in the devastation.

NATIONS IN AN UPROAR

Immanuel is with Judah in suffering, but Immanuel is also a sign that Yahweh will not leave the nations unpunished. Drawing on the imagery of Psalm 2, Isaiah assures Judah that the nations that plot and clamor against Judah will be shattered: “For Immanuel” is the only explanation (v. 9-10). Because of Immanuel, Isaiah has no fear of the conspiracies of the nations (vv. 11-12). Yahweh Himself is the dread of those who refuse to walk in the way of the people (vv. 11, 13). Yahweh is a sanctuary, the temple, but a stone of stumbling and a trap for those who don’t fear Him (vv. 14-15).

TO THE LAW AND TESTIMONY

Judah was filled with false guides. Mediums and spiritists promised wisdom by consulting the wisdom of the dead (v. 19). Isaiah satirizes the “whispering” and “muttering” of the mediums, and asks why anyone would consult the dead instead of the living God of Israel. Those who fear Yahweh, who find sanctuary in Him, are those who those who are taught from the Torah (vv. 16, 20). Isaiah speaks here of disciples (v. 16) and “sons” (v. 18), and these are probably the same group. Like Isaiah’s literal son, the existence of disciples who walk according to the law of God is a “sign and wonder” in Israel. “Sign and wonder” is exodus language (Exodus 7:3; Deuteronomy 4:34; 6:22; 7:19); it points to the coming deliverance of the faithful remnant but also to the coming judgment on the “Egyptians” who live in Judah. Those who refuse to hear and obey Torah, however, will be captured and removed from the land (vv. 21), cast into outer darkness.