READING: Isaiah 8-9 – Mahersshalalhashbaz, Righteous King & Judgment on Arrogance

VERSE FOR THE DAY: In pride and arrogance of heart they said: ‘The bricks have fallen, but we will build with dressed stones; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place.’ So, the LORD raised adversaries against them. (Isaiah 9:9c-11a)

Mahershalalhashbaz was the son of Isaiah and “the prophetess.” He was a sign, because “before the child knows how to call ‘My father’ or ‘My mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away by the king of Assyria.” The name of this child was not Immanuel (God with us) but meant “the spoil speeds, the prey hastens,” referring to the Assyrian king taking wealth from Damascus and Samaria.

The LORD said, “Because this people [Judah under the evil King Ahaz] refused the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and melt in fear before Rezin and the son of Remaliah [the kings of Damascus (Syria) and Samaria (the ten tribes)], I am bringing up against it the mighty flood waters of the River, the king of Assyria; it will sweep onto Judah as a flood; and will fill the breadth of your land.” King Ahaz refused the sign Isaiah gave to him from the Lord (7:13-14), refusing to trust God as his son, Hezekiah, would trust Him later when the flood of Assyria was all over Judah (see Isaiah 36 & 37).

Isaiah said, “Bind up the testimony, seal the teaching among my disciples. I will wait for the LORD” (until chapters 36-37). Those who were with Isaiah were signs to the rest of the nation not to trust “in ghosts and familiar spirits,” but to wait on the Lord and trust Him.

The Righteous King: “But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish.” Now Isaiah looks to the distant future when Zebulon and Naphtali in the later time will be made glorious, as Galilee of the Gentiles. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light,” the light of “A child who has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders; and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and His kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and righteousness. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will do this.” We know this Child as Immanuel, Messiah, Christ, Lord, and Jesus.

But before this, the arrogance of Samaria had to be addressed. “In pride and arrogance of heart, they said, ‘The bricks have fallen, but we will build with dressed stones; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place.”’ Rather than turning to God when the Assyrians came, they depended on themselves alone. Because they did not turn to God, “The LORD cut off from Israel head and tail, elders and dignitaries are the head, and prophets who teach lies are the tail.” Israel’s leaders led them astray. Those led were confused.”

When leaders go astray, everyone is confused, and evil abounds.

If that happened to Israel, can It happen to us, in the nation or the church?

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PRAY FOR YOURSELF:   

Almighty Father, I pray for my nation and for the leaders of my congregation. May they all lead in righteousness that we may know the right ways to go. I fear most of all for my nation. Leaders seem to be giving in to the mob and the criminal. Please help us find good leadership. This is my prayer, in Jesus’ holy Name, AMEN!

MY PRAYER FOR YOU (and for me)

Father, I pray for all who read these words that we may wait for You in humility and seek good leadership. For those who are leaders, especially in the church but also in the nation, pray that leaders are not mere figureheads, but real leaders who can point us in the right direction in the knowledge of the Lord and righteous government. And it is in Jesus’ holy name that I pray, AMEN!