Isaiah 8:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For the LORD spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying:

NIV: This is what the LORD says to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people:

NASB: For so the Lord spoke to me with mighty power and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying,

CSB: For this is what the Lord said to me with great power, to keep me from going the way of this people:

NLT: The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said,

KJV: 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,

NKJV: For the Lord spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying:

Though this begins a new section of God's revelation to Isaiah, it seems connected to what was written in the previous two verses (Isaiah 8:9–10). The Lord is reminding Israel that the only hope of experiencing victory rests in God's presence with them. Isaiah writes that the Lord's hand was "strong upon me" as the Lord was speaking these things to the prophet. It could be that Isaiah felt the Lord's presence and urgency with special intensity in this moment. What the Lord impresses on Isaiah is deeply personal.

Isaiah must refuse to join in the false beliefs and sinful practices of the people. HIs role as the Lord's prophet is to not just to bring God's word to the people. He is also to live out his life in a way that shows his faithfulness to the Lord. He must remain faithful as he continues to serve as the Lord's message bearer.

Isaiah 8:11–22 follows the prophecy about the coming destruction from the Assyrians. It includes a strong warning from the Lord to Isaiah to not follow the sins of the rest of Judah. He must not fear real or imagined threats. Instead, Isaiah must honor God and find safety in Him. The people will reject God, leading to ruin, and being taken away. Isaiah declares he will wait on the Lord and his family will be a sign that God has not abandoned those who trust Him. Those who reject God's Word, however, will remain in darkness.

Isaiah 8 begins with the Lord telling Isaiah to write a name on a large sign. Then Isaiah conceives a son, with a woman referred to as the "prophetess," likely his wife. The son is given the name on the sign. Before the son can speak, Judah's enemies will be wiped out by Assyria. Assyria will then bring destruction on Judah. Isaiah must not live in fear and dread as the people do. They will stumble over the stone of the Lord instead of trusting in Him. Isaiah will continue to hope in the Lord. Those who reject God's truth will live in darkness.

The prior chapter included a famous prophecy regarding the virgin birth of Jesus. Isaiah 8 continues to prophesy about the coming destruction of Judah's current enemies: Syria and Israel. Isaiah has a son whose name he has written on a sign. Before that son is old enough to talk, Assyria will destroy Judah's enemies and then bring destruction into Judah. The Lord warns Isaiah to honor God, not live in fear. The people will reject God as their foundation, falling into further sin. But Isaiah declares that he and his family will continue to point toward God's faithfulness. Those who reject God's revelation will live in and frustration and despair. This sets up additional prophecies which connect to the ministry of Christ.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).

Accessed 5/5/2024 6:38:34 PM