Isaiah 7-8
Chapter 7: Ephraim and Sariah Wage War
In the days when
Israel and Syria joined in league against Judah in the days of Ahaz. Via
Isaiah, and in the presence of his son Shear-Jashub (meaning, ‘a remnant shall
return’) the Lord tells Ahaz not to fear, for the attack will not succeed, and
Israel will no longer be a nation in 65 years’ time.
The Lord will give a sign: a virgin will
conceive, called Immanuel, God with us. Before the child can distinguish good
from evil (ie within a couple of years), he will be eating curds and honey (ie
the land will be back to producing plenteous food), and both Israel and Syria
will be defeated. However, the Assyrians (whom Judah called upon for help) will
inflict heavy calamities upon Judah. Isaiah counsels against a Judah-Assyria
alliance to counter the threat from the Israel-Syria one.
Chapter 8: Turn to God for Guidance
Isaiah has a son, whom the Lord
tells him to name Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, which means ‘speed to the spoil, hurry
to the plunder’. Before the children can call his mother and father, the riches
of Damascus and Israel will be taken away by Assyria. However, the Assyrian
army, compared to water, will overflow its banks and flood Judah with violence
and destruction. Judah can prepare for the invasion by fearing God rather than
Assyria. Seek the Lord’s light and word, not the darkness of the occult. (Isaiah
8:19-20)
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