Isaiah 8:16-20

16 Bind up this testimony of warning and seal up God’s instruction among my disciples.
17 I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the descendants of Jacob. I will put my trust in him.
18 Here am I, and the children the LORD has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from the LORD Almighty, who dwells on Mount Zion.
19 When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?
20 Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

Isaiah 8:16-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 8

This chapter contains a confirmation of the sudden destruction of the kingdoms of Syria and Israel, by another sign; a threatening to those that gloried in the kings of those nations, with an invasion of their land by the Assyrian monarch; a sarcastic address to those that joined in confederacy against Judah; some directions and instructions to the people of God; and some prophecies concerning the Messiah, and the miserable estate of the Jews, that should reject him and his Gospel. The sign given is a son of the Prophet Isaiah, whom his wife conceived and bore, and whose name was written with a man's pen, Mahershalalhashbaz, of which there were witnesses, whose names are mentioned; and it is predicted, that before this child should have knowledge to call his father and mother, Damascus and Samaria, the chief cities of Syria and Israel, would be taken and spoiled by the king of Assyria, Isa 8:1-4 who would invade, the land of Israel, and even pass through the land of Judah, as a chastisement not only of the Israelites that rejoiced in Rezin and Remaliah's son, the kings of Syria and Israel; but also of those Jews who chose to be under them, or neglected the promise of God, and applied to Assyria for help, Isa 8:5-8 and then both the people of Israel and of Syria are addressed, in a sarcastic way, to associate and take counsel together, when they should be broke to pieces, and their counsel come to nought, Isa 8:9,10 and the prophet being instructed by the Lord how to behave among the people of the Jews, advises them not to join with them whose cry was a confederacy with Assyria, nor to be afraid of the two kings that were come up against them, but to sanctify the Lord of hosts, and trust in him, and make him the object of their fear and dread, Isa 8:11-13 which is enforced from the consideration of what the Lord, who is no other than the Messiah, would be, both to his own people, and to his enemies; to the one a sanctuary, and to the other a stone of stumbling, a rock of offence, a trap, and a snare, Isa 8:14,15 then follows an instruction to the prophet to take care of the Gospel of Christ, and communicate it to his disciples, Isa 8:16 upon which the prophet determines to keep waiting and looking for his coming, who at present was hidden from the people of God, Isa 8:17 wherefore the Messiah is introduced, as presenting himself and his children to the prophet's view, which would be for signs and wonders in Israel, gazed at and reproached, Isa 8:18 and then the folly and vanity of seeking counsel of the Scribes and Pharisees, when Christ should be come in the flesh, is exposed; whose Gospel should be attended to, and not those dark and blind guides, Isa 8:19,20 and the chapter is concluded with the wretched condition of the Jews that called Jesus accursed; they should pass through the land, and find no food; and look into it, and see nothing but darkness and misery, Isa 8:21,22.

Cross References 16

  • 1. S Ruth 4:7
  • 2. Isaiah 29:11-12; Jeremiah 32:14; Daniel 8:26; Daniel 12:4
  • 3. S Psalms 27:14; Habakkuk 2:3
  • 4. S Deuteronomy 31:17; Isaiah 54:8
  • 5. S Psalms 22:5; Hebrews 2:13*
  • 6. S Genesis 33:5; Hebrews 2:13*
  • 7. S Exodus 3:12; Ezekiel 4:3; Ezekiel 12:6; Ezekiel 24:24; Luke 2:34
  • 8. S Deuteronomy 28:46; S Ezekiel 12:11
  • 9. Psalms 9:11
  • 10. S 1 Samuel 28:8
  • 11. S Leviticus 19:31
  • 12. Isaiah 29:4
  • 13. S Numbers 27:21
  • 14. S Isaiah 1:10; Luke 16:29
  • 15. S Ruth 4:7
  • 16. ver 22; Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 59:9; Isaiah 60:2; Micah 3:6
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