Isaiah 7:18-8:8 Word to Judah, Judgement
Isaiah now elaborates on some of the themes from his prologue. The enemy summoned there is revealed here. Ironically, the very power that Ahaz sought to protect him will be used by God to punish Judah for her sins. Assyria (and Egypt) will completely occupy the land. The nation Ahaz “hired” to protect Judah will humiliate it. The results of this invasion will be a total loss of the promised land. Those who remain will scrape together the smallest of herds and live of scavenging and hunting. No crops will be grown in the overgrown countryside. The vineyards will thorn patches.
Isaiah then leaves Ahaz and prophecies to the nation. He writes a name out to be seen by all in the presence of witnesses. “Concerning Maher-shalal-hash-baz”, or, Quick to the spoil, hasten to the prey. This is a word against Israel and Syria, the immediate threats to Judah. Isaiah’s wife conceives and before the son with the strange name can speak, Israel and Syria would be no more. Since Ahaz assumed the throne (and a pro-Assyrian policy) in 735, and Tiglath-pileser began his invasion in 274 and defeated Israel and Syria by 732, this prophecy is quickly fulfilled. Since Ahaz rejected God and the sign of Immanuel, a new sign was given. Immanuel will ultimately be fulfilled much later! Judah is spared, but not for long!
The irony is that we look to worldly powers and saviors when God tells us to trust Him. When we don’t, but follow our idols, those idols ultimately are our undoing! The church and people of God do well to heed the word of Isaiah still today!
Isaiah then leaves Ahaz and prophecies to the nation. He writes a name out to be seen by all in the presence of witnesses. “Concerning Maher-shalal-hash-baz”, or, Quick to the spoil, hasten to the prey. This is a word against Israel and Syria, the immediate threats to Judah. Isaiah’s wife conceives and before the son with the strange name can speak, Israel and Syria would be no more. Since Ahaz assumed the throne (and a pro-Assyrian policy) in 735, and Tiglath-pileser began his invasion in 274 and defeated Israel and Syria by 732, this prophecy is quickly fulfilled. Since Ahaz rejected God and the sign of Immanuel, a new sign was given. Immanuel will ultimately be fulfilled much later! Judah is spared, but not for long!
The irony is that we look to worldly powers and saviors when God tells us to trust Him. When we don’t, but follow our idols, those idols ultimately are our undoing! The church and people of God do well to heed the word of Isaiah still today!
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