Proper 4 (OTA)

Isaiah 8:1-10

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.

Maybe it is necessary to review a little context. Assyria is bearing down on Judah. Judah could easily be destroyed by their powerful army. Ahaz has been to ask for a sign. The sign was given in Chapter 7, the sign is named Immanuel. Isaiah has had a Child named Maher-shalal-hash-baz meaning the spoil speeds, the prey hastens.

God has promised to always be with his people. He will be with them in times of plenty and times of Judgment. Judah is facing a time of Judgment. They could easily be shattered. The nations are more than willing to rise against them. But the LORD says, "all you far countries; strap on your armor and be shattered." They Lord is going to bring his enemies to their knees.

If God is with us who could stand against us. If God is for us we can do anything. With God all things are possible. These simple phrases remind us that we desire God to be on our side. But maybe we should think about being on God's side.

Israel was judged because they had turned their back on God. Judah would eventually go into exile because they rejected God. They did this not just in words but in deeds, or actions. We are corrupt and sinful creatures. We have turned our back on God, but still desire him to be on our side.

Jesus Christ, the Immanuel, came to die for your forgiveness. He died to claims you for God's possession. God places you on his side. Like said above, with God all things are possible.