< Isaiah 8 >

Isaiah himself was typical of Jesus so that his exclamation: “Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me” are also the words of Christ. Hebrews 2:13Hebrews 2:13XWaiting for response Jesus did not have any natural children but the disciples are counted as his seed. Isaiah’s children were “for signs and wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts” and no doubt Mahershalalhashbaz, Isaiah’s son, is typical of Jesus as he was born of a maiden vs.1-3Isaiah 8:1-3XWaiting for response and similar words are spoken of both him and Jesus - before each grew to a certain age Judah would be saved from her oppressors. Isaiah 7:16;Isaiah 7:16XWaiting for response v.4Isaiah 8:4XWaiting for response Mahershalalhashbaz means “speedy to the spoil” which was the characteristic of the Assyrians who would come against Syria,v.4Isaiah 8:4XWaiting for response but they would also overflow into “Immanuel’s land”,v.8Isaiah 8:8XWaiting for response called this because it is the land promised to Abraham’s seed, which is Christ.

The Assyrians would come upon Israel like a flood v.7Isaiah 8:7XWaiting for response and the Jews would suffer from these waters because they refused the spiritual water which God offered for their salvation. This is the word of God, represented here by “the waters of Shiloah that go softly”.v.6Isaiah 8:6XWaiting for response These were the waters in the pool of Siloam supplied by a perpetual spring, enabling the people of Jerusalem to survive the Assyrian siege of their city. It is an appropriate metaphor therefore for the word of God which enables us to be delivered from our enemies of sin and death. We should not make the mistake of the Jews in refusing these living waters but rather drink them gratefully. The Jews were falsely urged to seek unto familiar spirits and wizards for enlightenment v.19Isaiah 8:19XWaiting for response but God says: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them”.v.20Isaiah 8:20XWaiting for response This is the touchstone which we should apply to everyone who professes to speak on religious matters: if they do not speak according to the Holy Scriptures, it is because they know not God’s truth.

Jesus spoke the truth to the Jews and urged them to search the scriptures, but they stumbled at him, as prophesied here: v.14.Isaiah 8:14XWaiting for response To the Jews he was “a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient”. 1 Peter 2:81 Peter 2:8XWaiting for response However, to his disciples Jesus is a sanctuary v.14Isaiah 8:14XWaiting for response and those who believe he is “a chief corner stone, elect, precious” are themselves included as living stones to form the house of God - and they shall not be confounded.1 Peter 2:5-61 Peter 2:5-6XWaiting for response

The people of Israel sought for light where there was no light v.20Isaiah 8:20XWaiting for response and were driven into darkness,v.22Isaiah 8:22XWaiting for response but Jesus would arise in their midst as a great light, as prophesied in this passage which continues into the next chapter.