Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Isaiah Ch.8 / 66 Ch.s
ISA:8
* Exhortations and warnings. (1-8) Comfort for those who fear
God. (9-16) Afflictions to idolaters. (17-22)
#1-8 The prophet is to write on a large roll, or on a metal
tablet, words which meant, "Make speed to spoil, hasten to the
prey:" pointing out that the Assyrian army should come with
speed, and make great spoil. Very soon the riches of Damascus
and of Samaria, cities then secure and formidable, shall be
taken away by the king of Assyria. The prophet pleads with the
promised Messiah, who should appear in that land in the fulness
of time, and, therefore, as God, would preserve it in the mean
time. As a gentle brook is an apt emblem of a mild government,
so an overflowing torrent represents a conqueror and tyrant. The
invader's success was also described by a bird of prey,
stretching its wings over the whole land. Those who reject
Christ, will find that what they call liberty is the basest
slavery. But no enemy shall pluck the believer out of Emmanuel's
hand, or deprive him of his heavenly inheritance.
#9-16 The prophet challenges the enemies of the Jews. Their
efforts would be vain, and themselves broken to pieces. It
concerns us, in time of trouble, to watch against all such fears
as put us upon crooked courses for our own security. The
believing fear of God preserves against the disquieting fear of
man. If we thought rightly of the greatness and glory of God, we
should see all the power of our enemies restrained. The Lord,
who will be a Sanctuary to those who trust in him, will be a
Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offence, to those who make the
creature their fear and their hope. If the things of God be an
offence to us, they will undo us. The apostle quotes this as to
all who persisted in unbelief of the gospel of Christ, #1Pe
2:8|. The crucified Emmanuel, who was and is a Stumbling-stone
and Rock of offence to unbelieving Jews, is no less so to
thousands who are called Christians. The preaching of the cross
is foolishness in their esteem; his doctrines and precepts
offend them.
#17-22 The prophet foresaw that the Lord would hide his face;
but he would look for his return in favour to them again. Though
not miraculous signs, the children's names were memorials from
God, suited to excite attention. The unbelieving Jews were prone
to seek counsel in difficulties, from diviners of different
descriptions, whose foolish and sinful ceremonies are alluded
to. Would we know how we may seek to our God, and come to the
knowledge of his mind? To the law and to the testimony; for
there you will see what is good, and what the Lord requires. We
must speak of the things of God in the words which the Holy
Ghost teaches, and be ruled by them. To those that seek to
familiar spirits, and regard not God's law and testimony, there
shall be horror and misery. Those that go away from God, go out
of the way of all good; for fretfulness is a sin that is its own
punishment. They shall despair, and see no way of relief, when
they curse God. And their fears will represent every thing as
frightful. Those that shut their eyes against the light of God's
word, will justly be left to darkness. All the miseries that
ever were felt or witnessed on earth, are as nothing, compared
with what will overwhelm those who leave the words of Christ, to
follow delusions.