CHAPTER 8 ISAIAH'S TESTIMONY. In this chapter Isaiah writes a strange series of words on a large tablet for public display. The words were maher-shalal-hash-baz (‘haste the spoil, speed the prey'). It is a warning that the times of judgment that he has prophesied are speedily coming on Syria, Israe... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BIRTH OF THE PROPHET'S SON (ISAIAH 8:1). As previously mentioned, one central point in this passage is the sign given to Israel in terms of the birth of three sons, two of whom were sons of Isaiah, and one of a virgin, in each case, at least partially, indicated by their names. Here we now have... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDAH HAVING MADE THEIR FINAL CHOICE EVEN IMMANUEL'S LAND WILL SUFFER. NEVERTHELESS FINAL TRIUMPH IS CERTAIN BECAUSE IT IS IMMANUEL'S LAND (ISAIAH 8:5). Two facts emerge from the words that follow. The first is that Immanuel's coming cannot be too near, for the land is first to be possessed by Assy... [ Continue Reading ]
MEANWHILE ISAIAH AND HIS FOLLOWERS ARE NOT TO ALIGN THEMSELVES WITH ANY POLITICAL PARTY. ALL ARE HEADING FOR DISASTER. RATHER HE MUST SEAL THE TESTIMONY OF YAHWEH (ISAIAH 8:11). In the light of this future hope Isaiah now calls on the faithful to stand firm. Like him they must renounce the present c... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PEOPLE MUST NOW MAKE THEIR CHOICE BETWEEN THE OCCULT AND THE WORD OF YAHWEH (ISAIAH 8:19). It may be that like Saul before him (1 Samuel 28), Ahaz, recognising his rejection by Yahweh, had begun to seek to mediums and spirits. Or it may be that that was what some of his advisers were suggesting... [ Continue Reading ]
DARKNESS AWAITS THOSE WHO TURN FROM YAHWEH BUT IN THE LATTER TIMES WILL COME LIGHT IN GALILEE (ISAIAH 8:21 TO ISAIAH 9:1). The offer having been made of light or darkness most of the people will choose darkness. A bleak future awaits them. But all is not despair. For there is the promise of Immanue... [ Continue Reading ]