Ep 759 – Isaiah 8:1-10

Isaiah 8:1-10 continues the theme of God's presence. In chapter 7, we were introduced to the child who would be born of a virgin, and whose name would be Immanuel. The future, long-term fulfillment of this promise would be Jesus Christ, the Messiah of Israel. But this chapter will reveal that another baby boy would be born to Isaiah, who would end up with two names. One name was decreed by God. The other was given by the boy's birth mother. And we will see that both names were appropriate, because each represented an aspect of God's relationship with the rebellious people of Judah. This infant boy would symbolize God's pending judgment and His unfailing presence. Despite what they would see happening around them and to them, they could trust in the fact that God was there. He would remain Immanuel, God with us. Even the birth of this baby boy, in the face of the coming judgment was meant to be a sign of God's good fortune and future blessing. He would live to see the fall of Judah, but his name was an assurance that God would be with them no matter what happened.