Tanak Foundations-Concepts in Isaiah-Chapter 8

Isa 8.1-22 tells us that in the historical view, in the middle of the war with Syria and Ephraim, Isaiah receives a prophecy about another sign to confirm the destruction of Syria/Aram and Ephraim by Assyria (2 Kings 16.5-6; 2 Chr 28.11-19).

v 1…Then Yehovah said to me (Isaiah), “Take for yourself a large tablet and write on it in ordinary letters (clear writing): Swift is the booty, speedy is the prey.

v 2…And I will take to myself faithful witnesses (two witnesses) for testimony; Uriah (light of Yehovah) the priest and Zechariah (Yehovah remembers) the son of Yeberechiah (Yehovah blesses).”

v 3…So I approached (Hebrew “karav” meaning came near, had sexual relations) the prophetess (Isaiah’s wife and is called this for that reason), and she conceived and gave birth to a son (confirming Isa 7.14). Then Yehovah said to me, “Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz (meaning “swift is the booty, speedy is the prey”- he will be the sample child of the prophecy. His other name is Immanuel).

v 4…For before the boy knows how to cry out “my father” or “my mother” the wealth of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away before the king of Assyria (solving Judah’s problem).

v 5…And again Yehovah spoke to me further, saying,

v 6…Inasmuch as these people have rejected the gentle flowing waters of Shiloach (“sent” and a form of shaliach where we get the idea of an agent or messenger, and a term for the Messiah and the kingship of the house of David), and rejoice in Rezin and the son of Remaliah,

v 7…Now, therefore, behold (see), Yehovah is about to bring on them (Rezin and Pekah) the strong and abundant waters of the river (an idiom for an army), even the king of Assyria and all his glory; and it will rise over all its channels and go over its banks (like a flood-Ezek 38.9 and describes Gog and Magog/Russia in the future),

v 8…Then it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass through (to punish Judah for not trusting in God, calling for Assyria). It will reach down to the neck (Jerusalem); and the spread of its wings (the army) will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel (means Judah because Immanuel was born there, which was Isaiah’s son; this also applies to Messiah in the birth-pains).

v 9…Be broken (this is addressed to Israel and Syria-Tiglat-pilaser III will break Syria, and Ephraim by Shalmaneser) O people, and be shattered; give ear all remote places of the earth (the nations). Gird yourselves, yet be shattered (prepare for battle but you will lose); gird yourselves, yet be shattered (repeated to show it is a sure thing),

v 10…Devise a plan (against God’s people) and it will be thwarted, state a proposal (discuss the attack), but it will not stand for God is with us (Immanuel, meaning “God with us” was born and it confirmed God’s prophecy in Isa 7.14-16, also alludes to Yeshua eschatologically. Gog and Magog/Russia will take the north in the birth-pains because Israel will ask them for help. They will come in and defeat Syria and a second Jewish state, but will also have further plans as we shall see in the third year of the birth-pains symbolized by the reign of Hezekiah).

v 11…For this Yehovah spoke to me with mighty power (strength in prophecy) and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people (desiring to enlist the help of Assyria against Rezin and Pekah) saying,

v 12…You are not to say a conspiracy (a confederacy with Assyria, or anyone else)! in regard to all that this people call a conspiracy (to align themselves with Assyria), and you are not to fear what they fear (or be worried about it) or be in dread of it (and join in with them because you fear the enemy). Eschatologically, don’t give up when you see enemies in the birth-pains like Syria or Gog and Magog/Russia coming again you, as in Ezek 38.6-10; Psa 83.1-8; Oba 7; Isa 10.5-7, 10.14 alliances. Do not activate the “Masada Complex.” This is a plan where Israel will detonate nuclear bombs if they are attacked and are losing, taking everyone with them. This will destroy the enemy, but also themselves).

v 13…It is the Lord of Hosts (Yehovah Tzavaot or armies) whom you should regard as holy (he has a kedusha; they were to trust only in him). And he shall be your fear (not the enemies you see), and he shall be your dread.

v 14…Then he shall become a sanctuary (mikdash or “kedusha”); but to both houses of Israel, a stone to strike (and stumble over) and a rock to fall over, and a snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem (who do not trust in Yehovah).

v 15…And many will stumble over them (by their own doing and fault), then they will fall and be broken; they will even be snared and caught (because of their rejection; detained in their sin).

v 16…Bind up the testimony (“edut” or the witnessing prophecies), seal the Torah among my disciples (Yehovah is saying we need the Law and the Prophets as our two witnesses; be balanced -Rom 3.21).

v 17…And I will wait for Yehovah (for his leading during this time of judgment) who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob (for now, but Israel will continue), I will even look eagerly for him (trusting in his promise of salvation).

v 18…Behold, I and the children whom Yehovah has given me are for signs and wonders (Isaiah’s children) in Israel from the Lord of hosts (Yehovah Tzavaot or armies) who dwells on Mount Zion (in the Temple that was there).

v 19…And when they say to you (to seduce you away from the Torah and the Prophets), “Consult the mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter” (throw the voice-Isa 29.4, 40.18; Rev 13.15), should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living (can the living find out about the future by consulting dead people)?

v 20…To the Torah and to the testimony (the “edut” or the prophets-Deut 13.1-5; John 5.39-47; Acts 17.10-11). If they do not speak according to this word (the Torah and the Prophets, Ketuvim, Gospels and Epistles) it is because they have no light (understanding; we are to test things).

v 21…And they (the people) will pass through the land (on their way to captivity, not only in Assyria and Babylon, but Rome later) hard-pressed and famished, and it will turn out that when they are hungry, they will be enraged and curse their king and his god (who led them to worship his false gods/idols, and follow his judges, rulers and princes who walked contrary to the Torah) as they face upward (to heaven for help).

v 22…Then they will look to the earth (the land of Judah) and behold distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and be driven away into darkness (calamity).

Posted in All Teachings, Articles, Idioms, Phrases and Concepts, Prophecy/Eschatology, The Festivals of the Lord, The Tanak, Tying into the New Testament

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