by Larry Ferrell | January 20, 2018
This unit deals with the same events as chapter 7, and the fact that the name Immanuel occurs in 8:8 and is alluded to again in 8:10 suggests that, in general, what we have here is the further outworking of the word spoken to Ahaz in 7:14. That word was a doubled-edged involving both judgment and salvation. Its outworking is now depicted in terms of darkness and light. In the short term it means gathering darkness (judgment), but in the long term brilliant light (the coming of the Messiah and the drawing of a new age). The passage as a whole consists of four oracles, in which Isaiah delivers messages given to him directly by the Lord, and two brief reflections on their significance by the prophet himself.

The verses 8:1-10 are strikingly reminiscent of 7:14-17. Like Ahaz in chapter 7, the people as a whole are being given a last chance to abandon their faithless scheming and rely entirely on the Lord as their deliverer, for the sign does not speak of judgment on Judah, but rather of the destruction of her two northern enemies (v. 4). King and people alike have rejected the Lord’s help (compared to the gently flowing waters of the Shiloh spring in Jerusalem) and preferred the help of Assyria (likened to the water of the mighty Euphrates). But if they thought that the river, once in flood stage, would stop at their own borders, they were mistaken. It will sweep on into Judah, all but engulfing it (v. 8). For all that however, the clever schemes of the nations (whether they be Israel, Syria, or Assyria) are, in the final analysis of no consequence. It’s what the Lord has purposed, not what they have planned, that will ultimately be achieved (vv. 9-10).

The verses in 8:11-15 have a logical connection with what has gone before. The schemes of the nations will come to nothing because they stem from the fear of mere humans. Isaiah and his followers are to have nothing to do with such schemes. Instead, they are to fear the Lord alone. To those who do this the Lord will be a sanctuary (He will protect them), but to those who do not He will be like a great stone in their path, over which they will stumble and fall (vv. 14-15). The bottom line is that the Lord cannot be ignored. Whether He is experienced as Savior or as Judge depends on how we respond to Him.

In verses 8:16-22 Isaiah, at times, appears to be addressing an unspecified individual (v. 16) or his disciples collectively (v. 19), but the mixed speech forms are in reality an indication of his inner turmoil as he reflects on the preceding words and their implications. Those who have rejected the clear message he has brought from God will turn in their lostness to the occult, and in so doing plunge themselves into ever deeper darkness and ruin (vv. 19, 21-22). Isaiah therefore sees the urgency of committing his teaching to his disciples. They will need it to turn to as the darkness closes about them (v. 20), and they will preserve it for a future generation who may be more willing to hear. But if Isaiah has hope in this dark moment (and he does), it is not grounded finally in the disciples but in the Lord. Even the disciples may fail to live up to the expectations Isaiah has of them, but the Lord Himself will never let him down.

Verse 9:1 introduces a sharp contrast (Nevertheless…) which prepares the way for what follows in verses 9:2-7. The change of mood from fearful gloom to no more gloom is possible only because of Isaiah’s confidence in the Lord. With his gaze once more fixed on the future, the time of fulfillment, the imminent devastation of the northern kingdom by Assyria is relegated to the past. By faith he sees a glorious reversal that will one day be effected by God’s grace. Devastation will give way to glory. The dawn will break in the very region that was the first to experience God’s judgment. No wonder Matthew draws our attention to the fact that it was in these northern parts, with their mixed population, that Jesus first proclaimed the gospel.

The theme of salvation is clearly the climax of the whole movement from darkness to light in verses 8:1-9:7. At the same time it represents the final reversal of the situation in chapter 7 where the Davidic house, represented by Ahaz, was rejected. The logical structure is signaled by the threefold “for” of verses 4, 5, and 6 (RSV). The rejoicing of verse 3 is occasioned by release from oppression (v. 4), cessation of war (v. 5), and the birth of an ideal ruler (v. 6). That which is plainly future spoken of as already accomplished, for the zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this (v. 7c). Finally the language of verse 6 can apply only to one who is God incarnate. There can be little doubt, then, that this oracle points directly to the coming of the Messiah, the great Son of David and the true Light.

Isaiah 8:1-9:7 Reflection Questions:
Are you bringing the Lord into all your major decisions or are you doing acting alone?
What Scriptures in the New Testament refer to Jesus as the true Light?
In what ways are you daily reflecting His light?
What lesson is God showing you with this study?

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