Isaiah 8

However, for both houses of Israel (northern and southern kingdoms)the Lord will be a stone that causes men to stumble; for the unfaithful people of Jerusalem He will be a trap and a snare (verse 14).

This statement of Isaiah teaches an extremely important principle: depending on our attitude toward God, He will be either a “sanctuary” for us or a “stone of stumbling.” God is a Rock of protection for those who fear Him, but He is a Rock of destruction for those who don’t.

These words of Isaiah in verse 14 are quoted by several New Testament writers and applied to Christ: those who believe in Christ will be saved; those who do not believe will be condemned (see Romans 9:32–33; 1 Peter 2:6–8). Christ is the stone that the builders rejected; but He has become the capstone, the cornerstone, without whom we His people, His church, cannot stand (Psalm 118:22–23; Matthew 21:42–44).

16–17 Here Isaiah says that his testimony (his prophecy) is to be “bound up” and the law (his teaching) is to be “sealed.” This way, when his prophecy comes true, no one can accuse him of having later changed his words to fit the facts (see John 14:29).

It seems, from these verses, that Isaiah withdrew from public ministry for a while, during which time God “hid” His face from the house of Jacob, from the people of Israel and Judah (verse 17).

18 Here Isaiah states that he and his two children are signs and symbols from the Lord who dwells on Mount Zion (the temple in Jerusalem). The writer of Hebrews applied this verse to Christ and His “children,” His followers. They were a “sign” to the New Testament Jews that the Lord was once again dwelling with His people (Hebrews 2:13).

19–22 Here Isaiah rebukes the people of Israel and Judah for consulting mediums and spiritists—and through them the dead (verse 19). Such practices were forbidden by God (Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:9–12). No wonder the people had no light (verse 20); they should have been listening to Isaiah’s word, God’s word, the only source of light (see 1 John 1:5). Then they would have seen the light, and the Assyrian invasion could have been averted. But as it was, the Assyrians were coming, and the people were about to be thrust into utter darkness (verse 22).