Committed To Serving God

Isaiah 8:1-17

“Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz.  And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.

And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz.  For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.” (Isaiah 8:1-4)

God commanded Isaiah to name his son Mahershalahshbaz, which means an enemy rushing to get the spoil, referring to Israel and Syria’s attempt to overthrow Judah.   He was to write a prophecy about the results, declaring that before the baby was old enough to say Mama and Daddy, they would be spending all they had trying to defend themselves against Assyria.  Isaiah’s prophecy will be a warning to Israel of the consequences of their attempts to overthrow Judah.

“The LORD spake also unto me again, saying, Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son; Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks: And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.” (Isaiah 8:5-8)

Because the people of Israel have chosen to follow the leadership of Rezin, king of syriah and Pekah, king of Israel instead of the quiet commands that God had given them in the Law that were engraved on the monument at Shiloh, God was going to bring the Assyrian army against them like a flood overflowing the river banks.  They would invade and sweep through Judah, not stopping until they got got control of Israel and most of Syria and occupying the entire region. 

“Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.  Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.” (Isaiah 8:9-10)

Any country or group who allied themselves with Israel and Syria in their attack on Judah would be conquered along with Israel and Syria.  No amount of planning or increase in military power would succeed.  God would protect Judah.

“For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.” (Isaiah 8:11-12)

God specifically warned Isaiah that he was not to do like the people around him.  He was not to worry about the conspiracy between Syrian and Israel.  He was not to worry about defeat or economic collapse or anything else. 

“Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.  And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.  And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.” (Isaiah 8:13-15)

Instead, Isaiah was to put God ahead of everything else, worrying only about pleasing Him.   God would be their source of protection, but for both Judah and Israel his commands would be a source of conflict, forcing them to choose whether to trust God or human logic and leadership.  Many would choose human logic and leadership, resulting in their being taken captive or killed. 

“Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.  And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.” (Isaiah 8:16-17)

A copy of this warning was to be kept by Isaiah and his followers and they were to seal up and keep God’s commands.  Isaiah was committed to just wait and trust the Lord, seeking him even though he was no longer dealing with the Jews as a whole. 

It is the same attitude Christians should have as we watch oru world getting farther into trouble.  We need to commit to serving God as he commanded regardless what happens around us.