Christmas Day (OTA)

Isaiah 8:1-10
1 Then the Lord said to me, “Take a large tablet and write on it in common characters, ‘Belonging to Maher-shalal-hash-baz.’ 2 And I will get reliable witnesses, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah, to attest for me.”
3 And I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Then the Lord said to me, “Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz; 4 for before the boy knows how to cry ‘My father’ or ‘My mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away before the king of Assyria.”
5 The Lord spoke to me again: 6 “Because this people has refused the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and rejoice over Rezin and the son of Remaliah, 7 therefore, behold, the Lord is bringing up against them the waters of the River, mighty and many, the king of Assyria and all his glory. And it will rise over all its channels and go over all its banks, 8 and it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass on, reaching even to the neck, and its outspread wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.”
9 Be broken, you peoples, and be shattered;
give ear, all you far countries;
strap on your armor and be shattered;
strap on your armor and be shattered.
10 Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing;
speak a word, but it will not stand,
for God is with us.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Is 8:1-10). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

I have always waited for a child to be called Maher-shalal-hash-baz. The prophet sleeps with a young prophetess and she has this child. Before he calls out Mommy or Daddy, the King of Assyria comes to carry the people of Israel away.

This should be a warning to all people. They are broken and shattered. Their Armor may appear strong and mighty but it will break and shatter. This brings to mind the various parts of the Lord of the Rings when Gandalph says, "Your staff is broken" and later his staff breaks as well. All the powers of man fail and falter. Mn can take counsel together but it will not claim victory. Many try to save themselves.

This should be a warning to those who apply their own merits or works to salvation. Those that believe they are able to desire God on their own should also be warned. It is only God with us who saves. Jesus Christ brings salvation to his people God's presence with his people sets them up to stand. With God all things are possible.