Isaiah 8:1-22
Q.1. How was Isaiah to announce the fall of Damascus and Samaria? What was the role of the faithful priests? What was the message of the prophet’s son? – (Isa.8:1-4)
God instructed Isaiah to get a large billboard, with a message declaring the imminent destruction of Damascus and Samaria – … Swift is the booty, speedy is the prey (Isa.8:1). He would not be alone in his testimony, for God promised – I will take to Myself faithful witnesses for testimony, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah (Isa.8:2). How wonderful it is when God raises up people to stand with us. There would be a further witness – So I approached the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. Then the Lord said to me, “Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz (Isa.8:3). Isaiah’s wife was a prophetess who shared his passion and allowed their beautiful newborn son to carry the name heralding the end of these nations, before the little boy was able to speak (Isa.8:4).
Q.2. In what way did God’s people insult Him? What attitude was Isaiah to display? How would God treat the nation? – (Isa.8:5-15 c.f. 2 Kgs.16:10-16)
The record in 2 Kings 16:10-16 shows the degree of wickedness that even King Ahaz of Judah introduced to the nation as – he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and even made his son pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had driven out from before the sons of Israel (1 Kgs.16:3). What Isaiah was referring to figuratively, was the alliance Ahaz made with the king of Assyria, in order to destroy his northern neighbours (1 Kgs.16:7-9 c.f. Isa.8:5-8). It is easy to be caught up and overwhelmed by the politics of the day. However God told Isaiah – 11 For thus the Lord spoke to me with mighty power and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying, 12 “You are not to say, `It is a conspiracy!’ in regard to all that this people call a conspiracy, and you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it. 13 “It is the Lord of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, and He shall be your dread (Isa.8:11-13). This is wonderful advice for all the saints, as we face the evil of the Last Days. Isaiah was told that Israel would fall and be taken away.
Q.3. What unique calling did Isaiah’s family have to Israel? How was he to respond to the people’s requests? Why would Israel be punished? – (Isa.8:16-22)
Though the prophet was speaking of Israel, God had given him a special calling that still blesses us today. He was faithful to God’s direction – 16 Bind up the testimony and seal the law among my disciples. 17 And I will wait for the Lord who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob; I will even look eagerly for Him. 18 Behold, I and the children whom the Lord has given me are for signs and wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion (Isa.8:16-18). Isaiah trusted God to preserve his family in the midst of the looming judgment. The people were consulting mediums and spiritualists, while rejecting God’s Word. God exposed this folly and gave the prophet a basis for determining truth – 19 … should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead in place of the living? 20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no light (Isa.8:19-20). Since they rejected the light of God, they would perish in darkness (Isa.8:21-22). Isaiah set a fine example, in speaking out and acting according to the principles of the Law and Word of God.