The chapter is a part of a prophecy about Assyria’s Invasion of Judah, Israel and Samaria. It continues through Chapter 13. As it often is with the Word, He has more to teach and say than what is on the surface. The first part of the prophecy has Isaiah writing a tablet plainly and with witnesses of this prophecy. He is to name the tablet ‘Belonging to Maher-shalal-hash-baz. His wife then gave birth to a son and The Lord told him to name is son Maher-shalal-hash-baz, which means “Spoil Speeds Plunder Hurries.” The Lord said that before the boy could say, Mommy and Daddy the king of Assyria would have plundered the wealth of Damascus and Samaria. (Verses 1-4).
The Lord continued. Verses 5-8 read,
“The Lord spoke to me again: 6 “Because this people has refused the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and rejoice over Rezin and the son of Remaliah, 7 therefore, behold, the Lord is bringing up against them the waters of the River, mighty and many, the king of Assyria and all his glory. And it will rise over all its channels and go over all its banks, 8 and it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass on, reaching even to the neck, and its outspread wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.”
Like the people of Judah, we too often turn our backs on the comfort, provision, and beauty of what The Lord gives us in want of the spectacular things of the world. We listen to compelling ideas or an alluring leader or speaker who turns our minds from The Lord and from truth to lies, conspiracies, and teachings that sound good but have nothing to do with The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ, and The Holy Spirit.
If we want what the world has to offer, God will give us what the world has to offer. He will do whatever it takes to restore us to a relationship with Him, transform us to His image, and make us who we were created to be. He will not do it against our will though. He will bring us to a point where we have to make the choice. He did it throughout history as Israel rebelled and ignored Him time and again. He will do it for us as well.
But people can’t stand against The LORD. He is sovereign. They may think they are in control, but God allows works to happen for the good of His children. Do you call on His name through the good and the bad and the horrific? He has you in His hands.
The Assyrians thought they had all the power but it was given to them by The Lord. The rebellious Samaritans, Israelites, and Judahites, tried on their own to fight Assyria, but they put their faith in their king rather than The King of Kings. God had a word for the Assyrians too and it is paraphrased like this, “Consider yourselves beaten, plan all you want. Your words will come to nothing because The Word is God is With Us.”
God is the God of Salvation. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ, Immanuel, The Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
The prophecy continues as The Lord warns Isaiah not to fall into the habits of the people who let fear and dread eat them up as they believed conspiracies and schemes and tried everything but faith in God to fix their problems. Verses 13-15 read,
“But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. 14 And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.”
The Lord, Jesus Christ is either a rock, a foundation of safety, peace and comfort to you, or He is a stone that will cause you to fall and break. The Lord calls His people to keep teaching the truth, to keep faith in Him regardless of the circumstances around us. He exhorts us to keep our hope in Him and remember He is God, The Lord of Hosts. Don’t be tempted to turn to the false gods, false prophets and even the psychics and mediums to get answers and relieve fears. Keep your faith in Him.
Whatever calamity is happening in your life now, remember God is with you. He saved you once and for all. He is next you, in front of you and behind you. He is within you. He promised never to leave. Hold onto that. Have faith that He is the God of Your Salvation. He is your only hope and the only hope you need.