Isaiah 8:11 - Exposition

For the Lord. Mr. Cheyne regards this passage as "a short oracle, complete in itself," and entirely unconnected with what has preceded. But the initial ki , "for," is in that case inexplicable. Spake thus to me with a strong hand ; literally, with strength of hand—i.e. laying a strong grasp upon him; and, as it were, constraining him to attend (comp. Ezekiel 1:3 ; Ezekiel 3:14 , Ezekiel 3:22 , etc.). That I should not walk in the way of this people . Isaiah was bidden not to "follow a multitude to evil" ( Exodus 23:2 ). It was not merely idolatry against which he was warned, but the whole spirit and tone of the society of his day. He was not to entertain their suspicions, or to hope their hopes, or to fear their fears. He was to take a line of his own, to fear God and him only; then God would be "for a Sanctuary" to him.