Today’s passage: Isaiah 8:1-10
Helpful thoughts:
- That long name in verse 1 and verse 3 means, “The spoil speeds, the prey hastens”.
- Rezin was the king of Syria and the son of Remaliah was the king of Israel (Northern kingdom). God was rebuking Judah because they had sided with Assyria against Syria and Israel and were therefore rejoicing in the losses suffered by Syria and Israel. Judah did not trust in the Lord, they trusted in Assyria, and now Assyria was coming for them.
- The Jordan River runs north to south, this is the direction from which the Assyrian army will “flood” Judah.
- God had given Judah gentle streams (Verse 6), but they chose a flood.
- God is telling Judah that they will be judged for their wickedness, but not to their demise (“Reaching even to the neck”, God’s promise to Ahaz would be fulfilled). But, God also tells the nations that no one can destroy Judah without His consent. God’s people will stand victorious in the end!
- “God is with us” in verse 10 ties back to “Immanuel” from verse 8.
Questions to consider:
- How easy is it to get caught up in all the conflicts around us in this world and lose track of what God is doing? Is God ever absent or not involved? Are we ever on our own, in need of turning to others instead of Him?
- With all of the world events happening today, whose kingdom is guaranteed to stand? Why will that kingdom always stand?
- How will you keep your eyes on King Immanuel today? How will you serve Him as He continues to build His Church?