Isaiah 8:1-10--The Coming Assyrian Invasion

Isaiah 8:1-10
English Standard Version

The Coming Assyrian Invasion
8 Then the LORD said to me, “Take a large tablet and write on it in common characters, ‘Belonging to Maher-shalal-hash-baz.’ 2 And I will get reliable witnesses, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah, to attest for me.”

3 And I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Then the LORD said to me, “Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz; 4 for before the boy knows how to cry ‘My father’ or ‘My mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away before the king of Assyria.”

5 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.”

​9 Be broken, you peoples, and be shattered;
    give ear, all you far countries;
strap on your armor and be shattered;
    strap on your armor and be shattered.
10 Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing;
    speak a word, but it will not stand,
    for God is with us.

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The name in the first few verses of this chapter probably needs a little bit of translation.  Though the words are deeper than this a decent translation would be “speed-spoil-hasten-plunder.”  It is reminder that swift judgment is coming upon the people that were once called the people of God or the LORD's people who will now be known by the world as the children of destruction and destitution.  The Land would be robbed and plundered of everything good it had to offer in terms of gold, silver and natural resources.  Isaiah said it was important for this message to be written down in stone (it was sure and unchangeable) and that he was willing to call reliable witnesses to testify as to the accuracy of the covenant that was entered (it would not have escaped the notice of the people that the Covenant or Law was also written on stone tablets so that it could not be changed, yet the people broke that covenant and that is why they are now facing the curses of that Covenant and Law).

There was a prophetess who bore a son and called his name "speed-spoil-hasten-plunder" just like was written on the tablets of stone.  (This is the longest name recorded in the Bible).  Why call him this?  Because the LORD told the prophetess that before the boy would know how to say "Mama" or "Dada" (my mother or my father), the wealth of Damascus (the capital city of the Syrians) and the spoils of Samaria (the capital city of the northern nation of Israel) would be carried off to Assyria (we know this also included the people of Israel).

These nations will be broken though they will be dressed for battle.  They will make alliances and take counsel together, but it will do no good, for the LORD has determined the outcome.  No number of soldiers can win if the LORD is not on their side.  Judah need not fear these enemies who speak boasts over Judah and claim to have the upper hand in battle, because the LORD will defend Judah and defeat Syria and Israel and let them be given over to the Assyrians.

I passed over something on purpose so that I could come back to it now, but did you notice the second message given to the prophetess?  The destruction of Syria and Israel by Assyria is foretold, but the prophecy ends with "O Immanuel."  Therefore, it would appear that the short-term fulfillment of the prophecy that was just given about Immanuel at the end of Isaiah 7 has been fulfilled, and this child that has a name that speaks of the swift destruction and plunder of the enemies of Judah will also be known as "God with us," for the LORD would once again save His people.  This is not the ultimate salvation for the Jews (the people of Judah) though, as they too will eventually go into captivity, and they have even greater enemies of sin and death that a greater Immanuel will one day be born as a sign will be defeated, and He will be the one to defeat them.  "The virgin will give birth to a son, and they will call His name Immanuel, which means God with Us."  "And you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."