Introduction
Chapter 8 continues God’s message in chapter 7 to King Ahaz about Israel’s and Syria’s conspiracy against Judah. Chapter 8 gives a more specific timeline when God will thwart Israel’s and Syria’s conspiracy.
Isaiah’s Message: Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, vv. 1-4
A. The Billboard: Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz
1. The Writing, v.1
2. The Witnesses, v. 2
B. The Prophetess, v. 3
1. She conceives
2. She bares a son
a. Isaiah calls him Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, meaning “speed to the spoil.”
b. The son becomes a constant reminder each time his name is called.
C. The Promise, v. 4: before the child learns to speak, Damascus and Samaria will be defeated by Assyria.
Assyrian Invasion, vv. 5-10
A. Israel rejected Shiloah, v. 6.
1. Shiloah was a softly flowing stream of fresh water that God provided.
2. Israel rejected God’s provision and sought out wicked leaders: Rezin and Remaliah’s son.
B. God will give them a River, v. 7.
1. Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, was founded on the Tigris River.
2. Just as the Tigris overflows its banks, so the Assyrians will overflow their borders and invade Syria, Israel and Judah.
3. Just as the Tigris flood washes away homes, so the Assyrians will wash away Syria and Israel.
C. The Assyrian invasion will damage Judah, but will not sweep Judah away, vv. 8-10.
1. 2 Kings 18:13ff reports the Assyrian damage to Judah.
2. Syria, Israel, and Judah could prepare all they wanted, vv. 9-10, but their plans would “come to nought; it shall not stand.”
3. Whom does Immanuel refer? Possibly the Assyrian army as an instrument of God’s judgment.
Prepare for Invasion, vv. 11-22
A. Do not give in to fear: “A confederacy,” v. 12.
B. “Fear the LORD of hosts,” v. 13
1. The LORD is our sanctuary, v. 14
2. The LORD is a stumbling stone and a snare, vv. 14-15; see also 1 Peter 2:6-8.
C. Prepare by waiting on the Lord, vv. 16-18.
1. “Wait” as a waiter on a table. Be attentive to the Lord.
2. “Wait” on the Lord by being attentive to His Word.
3. “Wait” by looking at the signs of God’s Word:
a. Isaiah means “Jehovah is salvation” or “Jesus saves!”
b. Shear-jashub means “a remnant shall return.”
c. Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz means “speed to the spoil or hurry to the plunder.”
D. Prepare by going to God’s Word, not mediums and wizards, vv. 19-22
Conclusion
“To the Law and to the Testimony,” the Word of God is our sure guide.