children, uniformly refuse the evil and choose the good. And although his birth would be by the
power of the Holy Ghost, yet he should not be fed with angels' food. Then follows a sign of the
speedy destruction of the princes, now a terror to Judah. "Before this child," so it may be read; "this
child which I have now in my arms," (Shear-jashub, the prophet's own son, Is. 7:3,) shall be three
or four years older, these enemies' forces shall be forsaken of both their kings. The prophecy is so
solemn, the sign is so marked, as given by God himself after Ahaz rejected the offer, that it must
have raised hopes far beyond what the present occasion suggested. And, if the prospect of the
coming of the Divine Saviour was a never-failing support to the hopes of ancient believers, what
cause have we to be thankful that the Word was made flesh! May we trust in and love Him, and
copy his example.
Is. 7:17-25 Let those who will not believe the promises of God, expect to hear the alarms of
his threatenings; for who can resist or escape his judgments? The Lord shall sweep all away; and
whomsoever he employs in any service for him, he will pay. All speaks a sad change of the face
of that pleasant land. But what melancholy change is there, which sin will not make with a people?
Agriculture would cease. Sorrows of every kind will come upon all who neglect the great salvation.
If we remain unfruitful under the means of grace, the Lord will say, Let no fruit grow on thee
henceforth for ever.
Chapter 8
Exhortations and warnings. (Is. 8:1-8) Comfort for those who fear God. (Is. 8:9-16) Afflictions
to idolaters. (Is. 8:17-22)
Is. 8:1-8 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.
Is. 8:9-16 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