Moreover the Lord said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man’s pen concerning Maher–shalal–hash–baz.
And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.
And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the Lord to me, Call his name Maher–shalal–hash–baz.
For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.
The Lord spake also unto me again, saying,
Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah’s son;
Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:
And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.
Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.
Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.
For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,
Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.
Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.
And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.
And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.
Isaiah 8 presents a powerful message about trusting God in the face of fear and political uncertainty. Building upon the prophecies of the previous chapter, Isaiah continues to address the threat posed by Syria and Israel to Judah, while also foreshadowing the greater danger to come from Assyria. This chapter serves as both a warning and a comfort, urging God's people to rely on Him rather than on earthly alliances or occult practices. The key message of Isaiah 8 is that true security and guidance are found in trusting the Lord, not in fearing human enemies or seeking counsel from unreliable sources.
A Sign and a Name (Isaiah 8:1-4)
To further confirm the prophecy that the alliance of Israel and Syria would fail (Isaiah 7:7-8), God instructs Isaiah to create a large sign with a significant name: Maher-shalal-hash-baz, meaning "speeding to the plunder, hurrying to the spoil." This name, witnessed by reliable men with connections to King Ahaz, symbolizes the swift coming destruction of Damascus (Syria) and Samaria (Israel) by Assyria.
The birth of Isaiah's son, also named Maher-shalal-hash-baz, becomes a living testament to this prophecy. Before the child is even old enough to speak, Assyria will plunder the wealth of Damascus and Samaria. This serves as a concrete, time-bound sign for Ahaz and the people of Judah, demonstrating the reliability of God's word. Isaiah 8:3-4 underscores the immediacy and certainty of God's judgment on Judah's enemies.
Rejecting the Gentle Waters (Isaiah 8:5-8)
While the destruction of Syria and Israel might seem like good news for Judah, a greater threat looms. Because the people of Judah have rejected God's gentle provision, symbolized by the "waters of Shiloah" (Isaiah 8:6), they will experience the overwhelming force of Assyria, depicted as a raging river that overflows its banks and sweeps destruction across the land (Isaiah 8:7-8). This poetic imagery highlights the consequences of rejecting God's guidance and protection. Their choice to distrust God and seek other alliances will ultimately lead to devastation. However, even in this context, Isaiah reminds them that God is with them, referencing the name "Immanuel" (Isaiah 8:8, 10; see Isaiah 7:14), offering a glimmer of hope that God will not completely abandon His people.
The Lord as a Stone of Stumbling (Isaiah 8:9-15)
Isaiah then uses overt poetry to call for the people of Judah to be broken and shattered despite all their preparations for war (Isaiah 8:9-10). God cautions the people not to fear their human enemies (Isaiah 8:12). Only the LORD of Armies is holy. Only he should be feared and held in awe (Isaiah 8:13).
The Lord warns Isaiah not to follow the path of the people, to avoid baseless conspiracies, and to fear the Lord alone. Isaiah must honor the Lord as holy and choose to fear His power, seeing God as both a source of destruction and a sanctuary (Isaiah 8:11-13). For those who will not fear him—that is, take him seriously, he will be a stone to stumble over and a rock to trip over (Isaiah 8:14). Interestingly, Paul and Peter apply this text to Jesus Christ (see Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:8). The Son of God shares the same divine nature as the Father, so the New Testament writers often read passages of Scripture that originally referred to God and apply them to God the Son. Just as the unfaithful in Israel stumbled over the Lord in Isaiah’s day, so unbelieving Jews would stumble over the Lord Jesus in his.
Isaiah describes the Lord as "a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling" (Isaiah 8:14), a metaphor that the Apostle Peter later applies to Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:8). That which could have been a solid foundation is, instead, what the people trip over. Instead of trusting the Lord and finding safety in Him, both houses of Israel, north and south, including Jerusalem, will trip over the Lord and be trapped by Him. They will not escape but will be taken away by their enemies (Isaiah 8:14–15).
Waiting for the Lord (Isaiah 8:16-18)
Despite the Lord's seeming abandonment of His people, Isaiah declares that he will continue to wait for God to keep His promises. He will not falter in his hope in the Lord. He and his children will be part of the faithful remnant who still trust in God and provide evidence that He has not abandoned His people entirely (Isaiah 8:16–18). The unrighteous would be snared and captured, but the faithful were to wait for the LORD as he went about his hard work of judgment (Isaiah 8:15, 17).
Turning to the Living God (Isaiah 8:19-22)
The chapter concludes with a sharp rebuke of those in Judah who seek answers from mediums and necromancers. Isaiah’s question cut to the heart of the matter: Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? (Isaiah 8:18-19). Why ask the dead? Why not bring their questions to their own God? They have already been given revelation of truth through teaching and testimony. Nobody, after all, calls the morgue for help when they’re in trouble! So why seek counsel from those who have died rather than from the living God?
Because they have rejected the word already given by the Lord, they will live in darkness and frustration. The righteous would flee to the safe haven of God and his Word, those who persisted in sin would perish (Isaiah 8:20-22). The daylight will not come for them. Instead of seeking God through his appointed prophet, unfaithful Judah sought advice through mediums and spiritists. Isaiah's question cut to the heart of the matter: "Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?"
Application
Isaiah 8 challenges us to examine where we place our trust. In times of uncertainty and fear, are we tempted to rely on earthly solutions, political alliances, or even occult practices? Or do we turn to the living God, seeking His guidance and protection? This chapter reminds us that true security and hope are found in trusting the Lord, even when circumstances seem bleak. Like Isaiah, we are called to be a faithful remnant, waiting for God to fulfill His promises and pointing others to the light of His truth.
Moreover the Lord said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man’s pen concerning Maher–shalal–hash–baz.
And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.
And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the Lord to me, Call his name Maher–shalal–hash–baz.
For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.
The Lord spake also unto me again, saying,
Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah’s son;
Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:
And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.
Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.
Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.
For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,
Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.
Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.
And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.
And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.
Isaiah 8 presents a powerful message about trusting God in the face of fear and political uncertainty. Building upon the prophecies of the previous chapter, Isaiah continues to address the threat posed by Syria and Israel to Judah, while also foreshadowing the greater danger to come from Assyria. This chapter serves as both a warning and a comfort, urging God's people to rely on Him rather than on earthly alliances or occult practices. The key message of Isaiah 8 is that true security and guidance are found in trusting the Lord, not in fearing human enemies or seeking counsel from unreliable sources.
A Sign and a Name (Isaiah 8:1-4)
To further confirm the prophecy that the alliance of Israel and Syria would fail (Isaiah 7:7-8), God instructs Isaiah to create a large sign with a significant name: Maher-shalal-hash-baz, meaning "speeding to the plunder, hurrying to the spoil." This name, witnessed by reliable men with connections to King Ahaz, symbolizes the swift coming destruction of Damascus (Syria) and Samaria (Israel) by Assyria.
The birth of Isaiah's son, also named Maher-shalal-hash-baz, becomes a living testament to this prophecy. Before the child is even old enough to speak, Assyria will plunder the wealth of Damascus and Samaria. This serves as a concrete, time-bound sign for Ahaz and the people of Judah, demonstrating the reliability of God's word. Isaiah 8:3-4 underscores the immediacy and certainty of God's judgment on Judah's enemies.
Rejecting the Gentle Waters (Isaiah 8:5-8)
While the destruction of Syria and Israel might seem like good news for Judah, a greater threat looms. Because the people of Judah have rejected God's gentle provision, symbolized by the "waters of Shiloah" (Isaiah 8:6), they will experience the overwhelming force of Assyria, depicted as a raging river that overflows its banks and sweeps destruction across the land (Isaiah 8:7-8). This poetic imagery highlights the consequences of rejecting God's guidance and protection. Their choice to distrust God and seek other alliances will ultimately lead to devastation. However, even in this context, Isaiah reminds them that God is with them, referencing the name "Immanuel" (Isaiah 8:8, 10; see Isaiah 7:14), offering a glimmer of hope that God will not completely abandon His people.
The Lord as a Stone of Stumbling (Isaiah 8:9-15)
Isaiah then uses overt poetry to call for the people of Judah to be broken and shattered despite all their preparations for war (Isaiah 8:9-10). God cautions the people not to fear their human enemies (Isaiah 8:12). Only the LORD of Armies is holy. Only he should be feared and held in awe (Isaiah 8:13).
The Lord warns Isaiah not to follow the path of the people, to avoid baseless conspiracies, and to fear the Lord alone. Isaiah must honor the Lord as holy and choose to fear His power, seeing God as both a source of destruction and a sanctuary (Isaiah 8:11-13). For those who will not fear him—that is, take him seriously, he will be a stone to stumble over and a rock to trip over (Isaiah 8:14). Interestingly, Paul and Peter apply this text to Jesus Christ (see Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:8). The Son of God shares the same divine nature as the Father, so the New Testament writers often read passages of Scripture that originally referred to God and apply them to God the Son. Just as the unfaithful in Israel stumbled over the Lord in Isaiah’s day, so unbelieving Jews would stumble over the Lord Jesus in his.
Isaiah describes the Lord as "a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling" (Isaiah 8:14), a metaphor that the Apostle Peter later applies to Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:8). That which could have been a solid foundation is, instead, what the people trip over. Instead of trusting the Lord and finding safety in Him, both houses of Israel, north and south, including Jerusalem, will trip over the Lord and be trapped by Him. They will not escape but will be taken away by their enemies (Isaiah 8:14–15).
Waiting for the Lord (Isaiah 8:16-18)
Despite the Lord's seeming abandonment of His people, Isaiah declares that he will continue to wait for God to keep His promises. He will not falter in his hope in the Lord. He and his children will be part of the faithful remnant who still trust in God and provide evidence that He has not abandoned His people entirely (Isaiah 8:16–18). The unrighteous would be snared and captured, but the faithful were to wait for the LORD as he went about his hard work of judgment (Isaiah 8:15, 17).
Turning to the Living God (Isaiah 8:19-22)
The chapter concludes with a sharp rebuke of those in Judah who seek answers from mediums and necromancers. Isaiah’s question cut to the heart of the matter: Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? (Isaiah 8:18-19). Why ask the dead? Why not bring their questions to their own God? They have already been given revelation of truth through teaching and testimony. Nobody, after all, calls the morgue for help when they’re in trouble! So why seek counsel from those who have died rather than from the living God?
Because they have rejected the word already given by the Lord, they will live in darkness and frustration. The righteous would flee to the safe haven of God and his Word, those who persisted in sin would perish (Isaiah 8:20-22). The daylight will not come for them. Instead of seeking God through his appointed prophet, unfaithful Judah sought advice through mediums and spiritists. Isaiah's question cut to the heart of the matter: "Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?"
Application
Isaiah 8 challenges us to examine where we place our trust. In times of uncertainty and fear, are we tempted to rely on earthly solutions, political alliances, or even occult practices? Or do we turn to the living God, seeking His guidance and protection? This chapter reminds us that true security and hope are found in trusting the Lord, even when circumstances seem bleak. Like Isaiah, we are called to be a faithful remnant, waiting for God to fulfill His promises and pointing others to the light of His truth.