Isaiah 8

Notes

Ver. 6, 7 may either relate to the Israelites, who despised the now weak family of David; or to those Jews who despised their own governors, and, not content with their own weak armies, insisted upon calling in the Assyrian troops, and who rejected Christ.—The Assyrians are called the waters of the river, because they came from the river Euphrates in great multitudes, and wasted and destroyed the nations and countries whithersoever they came. 8. The Assyrian army ravaged the whole land of Judea in a rapid and resistless manner (where Immanuel was born, lived, and died), up to Jerusalem the capital. 9, 10. The Syrians, Israelites, and other enemies of God's church, may consult, confederate, collect, and march armies as they will, Immanuel her King shall make their attempts to issue in their own ruin. 12-15. Neither depend on the confederacy of Judah with the Assyrians or Egyptians, nor be terrified at the confederacy of the Syrians and Israelites, or any other, against Judah, but glorify the Lord, by a believing dependence on, holy fear, and sincere worshipping of him: so shall he protect and comfort you, while multitudes of your brethren, through their rejection of him and his Messiah, shall be insnared and ruined. 16-18. While but a few believers will understand, cleave to, and improve God's revelations, I will, by faith, look for the fulfilment of them in the Lord's gracious return to and favour towards his people, and in the manifestation of his Son. And, lo, I and my son and disciples, as well as Jesus Christ and his people, are, and will be, amidst the admiration of some, and the derision of others, God's appointed pledges and tokens of his infallible fulfilment of his promises and threatenings.—19, 20. Should not we, in our distress, seek to our infinitely gracious, wise, and powerful God! Should we, who are living, apply for relief to dead idols or men, instead of the living God? No: God's Word is the sole standard of our direction, instruction, and comfort; and if any direct otherwise, it is owing to their being destitute of all saving knowledge. 21, 22. And instead of prospering, they and their followers shall be driven from their dwellings, famished with hunger, and filled with anguish, till they curse their king for calling in or rebelling against the Assyrians; and their idols for disappointing their hopes, and the true God for inflicting his judgments. And whether they look towards heaven or earth, they shall see nothing but perplexity and trouble, and thus be reduced to despair.

Ver. 1. Roll. When the ancients wrote either upon parchment or the Egyptian papyrus, their custom was to roll up the document; and this practice was evidently before the mind of the translators. The word, however, does not come from a root signifying to roll, but to make clear by rubbing or polishing. It therefore signifies a tablet of polished metal, marble, or wood. C.

Ver. 6. The fountain of Shiloah, or Siloam, is situated in a deep cave at the eastern base of Mount Moriah. Its waters flow with a gentle murmuring current through a subterranean channel, and fall into a large open pool on the southern slope of Moriah. This fountain was an emblem of the quiet, peace, and security of Israel under the beneficent rule of Jehovah; and it is brought into strong contrast with the rushing torrent of the Euphrates, which is made to represent the conquests and desolations of the armies of Assyria. P.

Ver. 8. Wings. Probably a reference to the Assyrian standard, which was a bird; or the prophet views Assyria as a bird of prey, hovering over the devoted country, and ready to descend upon its victim. C.

Ver. 11. Spake to me with a strong hand. That is, when his hand was strongly urging me on to do his work—when I was fully and irresistibly under the influence of divine inspiration. A prophetic impulse is frequently represented in the Word of God as being produced by the laying of his hand on the prophet. Thus in Eze. 3. 14 and 2 Ki. 3. 15. P.

Ver. 13. The Lord of hosts, whom the prophet saw in vision, ch. vi., is evidently the Lord Jesus Christ, 'God manifest in the flesh,' and to him this prophecy is applied throughout the New Testament. And He, and not Isaiah, is the speaker in this prophecy. C.

Ver. 14. An alternative is set before the people in ver. 13 and 14. If they would acknowledge the Lord, if they would fear and venerate him, then would he be to them a sanctuary, a place of refuge and perfect security. If, on the other hand, they would not fear or acknowledge him, then would he be to them as a rock against which they would be dashed, and as a snare in which they would be entrapped. P.

Ver. 16. Bind up, rather, engrave. Seal: but, at the same time, note that this binding up and sealing show that the contents are 'hid from the wise and prudent' of this world, till God be pleased to reveal them 'to babes,' 'among my disciples'—the disciples of Messiah. C.

Reflections.—Great is the importance of the oracles of God! Thrice worthy to be written in our heart!—But what changes, troubles, and wars, sin exposes men to in this world! Quickly they, who disturbed and spoiled others, are plagued in their turn. And who knows for what havoc the wealth, or the children we dote on, may be reserved. Men never refuse God's comforts, but they take up with ruinous plagues instead of them. Thrice happy is it, in days of distress, to be the property and people of the blessed Immanuel, and to have him the uplifter of our head, when the waters of trouble swell to the neck! To have him on our side, and his promise for us, will effectually crush every attempt that hell and earth can make against us.—But an almighty power is necessary to enable the best avoid fashionable evils, and disregard the fear and help of men, and depend only upon Christ! Safety, holiness, and honour are fully to be found in him, but in him alone! For, alas! fearful is their destruction who reject and are offended in him! Great is the mercy, that in the worst of times he has so fixed his oracles in his church and in his people's hearts! And with pleasure may those who have experienced the power thereof, wait for him, notwithstanding the most terrible troubles around, and loads of reproach upon them. Though God hide himself, and afflict his church, he will never leave her. But, alas! great is the folly and guilt, and tremendous the ruin, of those who consult with devils, with lusts, with wicked men, instead of Jesus and his Word, which is confirmed by his oath, and ratified in his blood!