Isaiah 8-14

Isaiah 8
1-15 Isaiah's Son a Sign of Assyrian Invasion

• The LORD tells Isaiah to write on a tablet "Belonging to Maher-shalal-hash-baz" and to have it verified by the priest Uriah and Zechariah son of Jeberechiah.
  
• Isaiah has a son named Maher-shalal-hash-baz by the prophetess
• The LORD prophesies to Isaiah that Damascus and Samaria will be carried into captivity before the boy knows how to call his parents by their names.
• Because his people have preferred to heed enemies rather than their benevolent God, Assyria will sweep over Israel, flooding it.
• The LORD has told Isaiah, "do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what it fears, or be in dread. But the LORD of hosts, him you shall regard as holy; let him be your fear, and let him be your dread." Reminds me of Jesus' teaching to his disciples not to fear those who can jail and kill you, but rather fear the one that can condemn your soul to hell (Matthew 10:28). It also applies to this time in the U.S. when everyone is crying "economic doom," as if our economy is the source of our contentment and security.
  

16-22 Disciples of Isaiah

• Isaiah: My disciples and I are signs and portents (omens) from the LORD
• Shouldn't people consult a living god rather than the dead for instruction?
• People who are like this are lost, angry wanderers, "thrust into thick darkness."

Isaiah 9
1-7 Righteous Reign of the Coming King

• In the former time, contempt; in the latter time, glory for God's people
• Prophecy of the time of the Messiah
• Those in darkness will see light
• You have broken the bar of their burden
• "A child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
• He will establish the throne of David and uphold it with justice and righteousness
• "The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this." Even though John 2:17 ("Zeal for Thy house shall consume me") fulfills Psalm 69:9, I don't know why this wouldn't apply, too. It seems to personify Christ as not only Savior, but Zeal.
  

8-21 Judgment on Arrogance and Oppression

• Even though Jacob and Israel were warned of destruction, they boasted they could just build it up again. How God hates arrogance. Can't we as Christians be guilty of the same arrogance? Of being so confident in our salvation, that despite warnings to the contrary, we boast, "I will never fall into that trap," or "I don't understand why others don't share my opinions. They must be either stupid or stubborn."
• Because the people did not respond to God's punishment, he cut off their heads (elders and dignitaries) and their tails (prophets). "That is why the LORD did not have pity on their young people, or compassion on their orphans and widows; for everyone was godless and an evildoer." Wow! Everyone? Is this an answer for those of us who wonder why the innocent are destroyed? Is God saying here that no one is innocent? Reminds me of Genesis 6:5, "Every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually."
• v. 17 "For all this anger has not turned away; his hand is stretched out still." (Repeated in v. 21 and 10:4.)
  
• God also has hated the way his people turn on each other: "Manasseh devoured Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh, and together they were against Judah." Hm-m-m? Infighting in the church?

Isaiah 10
1-4 Judgment Continued
To you who make the laws that take advantage of orphans and widows: Where will you go for help on the day of punishment?

5-19 Arrogant Assyria Also Judged

• God uses Assyria to punish his people, and in the process, they become arrogant about their own power.
• After God has finished punishing Jerusalem, he will punish Assyria for its arrogance, because they claim, "By the strength of my hand I have done it...."
• The Sovereign LORD of hosts will send a wasting sickness on the warriors, will burn the forests and land, destroy soul and body.

20-34 The Repentant Remnant of Israel

• The survivors of Israel will no longer rely on their enemies but on the LORD.
• God promises he will turn away from punishing Israel to punish Assyria: "His burden shall be removed from your shoulder."
• God has moved across Israel with his punishment, causing cities of Israel to tremble and flee.
• The Sovereign will decimate the tallest trees in the forests, hack down the thickets. The mighty will be cut down the same as the lowly.

Isaiah 11
1-9 The Peaceful Kingdom

• "A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots." Beginning of another Messianic prophecy.
• "The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him...." Fulfilled in Luke 3:18
• He will have a spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and fear of the LORD.
• He will be a righteous judge, having compassion on the downtrodden, punishing those responsible
• Picture of peace: wolf with lamb; leopard with kid, led by a child
• The earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. Does this refer to Christianity filling the world? Has this ever come to pass, or will it ever? Does it refer to the fact that Christianity is no one's national religion but is to be desired of all nations?

10-16 Return of the Remnant of Israel and Judah

• "On that day" the root of Jesse will stand as a signal to other nations
• "On that day"
• The LORD will recover his remnant from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Ethiopia, etc.
• He will assemble the outcasts.
• Ephraim and Judah will no longer be hostile toward each other.
  
• They will swoop down on the Philistines, the people of the east, Edom, Mob, Ammon, Egypt.

Isaiah 12
1-6 Thanksgiving and Praise
In that day

• You will thank God for his mercy.
• You will declare your trust in his salvation and his strength.
• You will proclaim and exalt his name.
• You will sing praises to him.

For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 13
1-22 Proclamation against Babylon

• God has summoned his warriors to execute his anger.
• The LORD of hosts is mustering an army for battle.
• The day of the LORD is near: 1) Every human heart will melt; 2) they will look aghast at each other; 3) it will be cruel; 4) the stars of heavens will not give their light; 5) their babies will be dashed to pieces, their wives ravished; 6) God will stir up the Medes against them; 7) Babylon will be like Sodom and Gomorrah, never again inhabited; 8) Wild animals will live there instead.

Isaiah 14
1-2 Restoration of Judah

• But God will have compassion on Jacob and set them again in their own land.
• They will take captive those who were their captors.

3-23 Downfall of the King of Babylon (A Taunt)

• How the oppressor has ceased!
• Your pomp is brought down to Sheol.
• You are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn!
• You thought you would ascend to heaven, but instead you are brought down to Sheol.
• The LORD will "cut off from Babylon name and remnant, offspring and posterity."

24-27 Oracle concerning Assyria

• As the LORD has designed, so shall it be; as he has planned, so shall it come to pass
• Assyria's yoke shall be removed from Israel

28-32 Oracle concerning Philistia (in the year of King Ahaz's death - 2 Kings 16)

• Do not rejoice that the rod that struck you is broken (Ahaz?).
• Because I will make your root die of famine
• Melt in fear, for smoke comes out of the north.
• The LORD has founded Zion, and the needy among his people will find refuge there.