Isaiah 8

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:16

Bind up the testimony , etc. The words are still those of Jehovah, addressed to his servant Isaiah. God commands that the prophecy shall be written in a roll, which is then to be carefully tied with a string and sealed, for future use. Seal the Law ; rather, the instruction— the advice given in verses 12-15 (comp. Daniel 12:4 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:16-18

The teacher's distress and his consolation. Those who have taken positions of prominence or of influence in the Church of Christ have to bear their own peculiar burdens as they are gladdened with their own especial joys. The teacher of Divine truth, in whatever particular sphere he may be engaged, whether it be a high or a humble one, is subject to his own discouragements and encouragements. If we ask what are— I. HIS SPECIAL TRIALS , the answer to that question is this: Apparent... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:16-22

The helplessness of superstition. Here a mass of thought is found, struggling for expression as the new-lighted fuel struggles into flame. I. THE ORACLE SEALED . 'Tis time to make an end. Let what has been written remain, rolled up and sealed and kept, until the day when those taciturn letters shall find their tongue and burst into flame. And, indeed, every true thing may be said to be "written down for the time to come, forever and ever." It may be lost sight of for a time, but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:17

I will wait upon the Lord ; rather, I will wait for the Lord ; i.e. "await the time of his relenting" (see Isaiah 30:18 ; Isaiah 64:4 , etc.). That hideth his face from the house of Jacob (compare the threats in Deuteronomy 31:17 ; Deuteronomy 32:20 ). The light of God's countenance is to the spiritual what that of the sun is to the material world. All life, health, joy, happiness, proceed from it. This light was now to be withdrawn for a time on account of the people's sins.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:17

Waiting for God. "Waiting for God" is submitting ourselves to his good pleasure in respect of time, being content that he should settle the question, "How long?" and looking still to him from first to last, however extended the term during which our "waiting" has to continue. It is important that we wait— I. PATIENTLY . "I waited patiently for the Lord," says holy David, "and he inclined unto me, and heard my calling" ( Psalms 40:1 ). A thousand years are with God as one day, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:17

Waiting and looking. "And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him." There is life in a look. It is so true that the eye is the window of the soul, even as speech is the door of the soul. "Look unto him, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth," teaches us how the whole nature of man can concentrate itself in a look. I. DARK HOURS . The Lord "hides his face." This expression is used, because the face is the expression of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:17

The hiding of God's face. Jehovah is here spoken of as " the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob;" and Jeremiah uses a similar figure in one of his prayers: "Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through" ( Lamentations 3:44 ). Aside from the historical associations of the text, the expression itself is a suggestive one, and may be made the basis of meditation. Whatever may be the fact concerning God, this at least is the fact of the pious... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:17-18

ISAIAH DEFINES HIS OWN ATTITUDE AND THAT OF HIS CHILDREN . It is questioned whether something has not fallen out between Isaiah 8:16 and Isaiah 8:17 . The transition is exceedingly abrupt, undoubtedly; but perhaps not more abrupt than elsewhere in Isaiah and the prophets contemporary with him. The Divine "instruction" comes to an end in verse 16; and Isaiah might have been expected to comment on it, or enforce its teaching; but he does neither. He simply states what his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:18

I and the children … are for signs. Isaiah's children seem to have been "for signs," especially in respect of their names. Shear-Jashub meant "A remnant shall return" ( Isaiah 10:21 ), and thus held out two hopes; one that a remnant of Israel would return to God and become his true servants, another that a remnant would return from the captivity that had been prophesied ( Isaiah 5:13 ). Maher-shalal-hash-baz—"Plunder speeds, spoil hastens"—was a "sign" of a different kind. Primarily, his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:18

Man every way God's instrument. "Behold, I and the children whom Jehovah hath given me are for signs and for omens in Israel from Jehovah Sabaoth, who dwelleth on Mount Zion" (Cheyne's translation). The thought here is very simple and very familiar, and no more than the statement of divisions, for the ordering of thought, can be necessary. Take St. Paul's figure of the "living sacrifice," as including body, soul, spirit, and relationships, all consecrated to God's service, and illustrate— ... read more

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