Isaiah 8:3-4

Isaiah called his son Maher-shalal-hash-baz. The name Maher-shalal-hash-baz means ‘quick-riches-fast-wealth’. Every time people see the boy, his name will remind them about the *Lord’s message. Then, they would know what to expect when the cruel enemy arrives. The attackers will *seize everything of value.

The king of Assyria is coming

v5-6 The *Lord again spoke to me to tell me this message. This nation is proposing to refuse the water that flows gently from Shiloah. The people expect that they will get much more help from the forces of Rezin and Pekah. v7-8 But the huge army of the king of Assyria will be like the vast waters of the river Euphrates. The *Assyrians will attack. Then it will seem as if the Euphrates itself is flooding the whole land of Judah. The waters will cover everything, up to people’s necks. Immanuel, the streams of water will spread over the whole of your land! v9 Even if you people in Israel make a military agreement with the king of Syria, you will still suffer defeat. Listen, all you distant countries. Collect your arms, but you will suffer defeat. v10 Form plans, but they will fail. Have discussions, but good decisions will be out of reach. This is because God is with us and not with you.