Isaiah 8:9 - Meaning and Application

The prophet here turns back to the present trouble that Ahaz, his court, and his kingdom faced. The threat came from the alliance of the ten tribes and the Syrians against Judah. In these verses, he first speaks boldly to the enemy and, in effect, challenges them to do their worst (Isaiah 8:9, Isaiah 8:10).

“O people from far away, listen to what the prophet says to you in God’s name.” He knows they will do everything they can against Judah and Jerusalem. They join together in a tight alliance. They prepare for war, brace themselves again and again, and get ready with firm resolve. They stir one another up, hold councils, and think through every way to take control of Judah. They speak as if the matter is settled and victory is sure.

The enemies of the church often work with a great deal of planning, determination, and confidence. They go to much trouble to move a stone that will surely roll back on them. But all their efforts will fail. They cannot win, and they shall be shattered. Though they plan carefully and act with every caution, their projects will be ruined. In fact, the very plans they make against Jerusalem will become their downfall. Their counsel will come to nothing, because no wisdom or plan can stand against the Lord. What is set against God and his cause cannot last.

“For God is with us” points to the name Immanuel, which means “God with us.” The Messiah was to be born among them, and a people given such an honor could not be left to total ruin. They also had God’s special presence in his temple, his messages, and his promises, and these were their defense. God was on their side to help them and fight for them. If God is for us, who can stand against us? In this way, the daughter of Zion despises her enemies.

The prophet then comforts God’s people with the same comfort he had received himself. The attack was serious, and the house of David, meaning the royal family, was in panic (Isaiah 7:2). So it is no wonder the people were frightened. The prophet first tells how God taught him not to give in to the same terror that gripped the people, or to follow their course (Isaiah 8:11). The Lord spoke to him strongly not to walk in the way of the people, not to say what they said, and not to do what they did. He was not to share their alarm, or agree with their plan to make peace on any terms, or to call on Assyria for help.

This shows several things. Even the best people are quick to fear when dark clouds gather, especially when fear spreads through everyone around them. We are all too ready to walk in the same path as the people near us, even when it is not a good path. Yet God teaches those he loves to swim against the stream of common sin, especially common fear. He can teach his people not to walk in the way of others, but to stand apart in a calm and holy way.

Sometimes sin is so active even in good hearts that they need to be taught with a strong hand. Only God has that right, because only he can give understanding and overcome unbelief and prejudice. He can teach the heart, and no one teaches like him. Those who are meant to teach others must first be taught themselves. They teach best when they teach from experience, and what has first reached their own hearts is most likely to reach the hearts of others too.

So what does he tell God’s people? First, he warns them against sinful fear (Isaiah 8:12). Fear spreads easily. A man whose heart fails can make his brothers’ hearts fail too, just as his own heart fails (Deuteronomy 20:8). So he says, “Do not call it a confederacy” to everyone who is saying that. This means, first, do not join the alliances they are trying to make for themselves. Do not side with those who, out of unbelief and distrust of God, want to make a treaty with Assyria. Do not enter into such a pact.

This warning matters in times of trouble. We must guard ourselves against fears that push us into crooked ways for our own safety. Second, do not be frightened by the alliances they are making up in their minds and spreading around. Do not panic over every sign of trouble. When they cry, “There is a plot! There is a plot!” do not be carried away. When they speak of awful news, “Syria has joined Ephraim. What will happen to us? Must we fight, flee, or give up?” do not share their fear. Do not fear what they fear. Do not be thrown into terror or shaking.

When the enemies of the church are making sinful alliances, the friends of the church must guard against sinful fear of those alliances. Instead, he tells them to fear God in a holy way: “Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself” (Isaiah 8:13). The reverent fear of God is a strong safeguard against the upsetting fear of man, as Peter also says to suffering Christians (1 Peter 3:14-15).

We must see God as the Lord of hosts, the one who has all power and all creatures under his command. Then we must honor him as such, give him the glory that belongs to his name, and live before him as people who believe he is holy.

We must make him our fear and our dread. That means we should keep a deep reverence for his providence, stand in awe of his rule, fear his displeasure, and quietly accept what he orders. If we felt the greatness and glory of God as we should, the show of our enemies would seem dim and their power would be held back and checked (Nehemiah 4:14).

Those who fear the reproach of people forget the Lord their Maker (Isaiah 51:12, 13). Compare (Luke 12:4, 5). God also promises a holy security and calm mind to those who do this. “He will be a sanctuary” (Isaiah 8:14). If we make God our fear, we will find him to be our hope, help, defense, and strong deliverer. He will keep and set us apart for himself.

He will be a sanctuary in two ways. First, he will make us holy. In that sense, some read the verse, “He will be your sanctification,” meaning he will make you holy by his grace if you honor him with praise. Second, he will make us safe. A sanctuary is a place of refuge, where a person can run for safety and be free from fear. Those who truly fear God do not need to fear any evil.

The prophet then warns of the ruin of the ungodly and unbelieving in both Judah and Israel. They would have no share in these comforts. The same God who would be a sanctuary to those who trust him would be a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to those who turned away from the gentle waters of Shiloah and rejoiced in Rezin and Remaliah’s son (Isaiah 8:6), that is, those who made creatures their fear and their hope (Isaiah 8:14, 15). Most of the people in both houses of Israel would not honor the Lord of hosts, and to them he would be a trap and a snare.

Instead of gaining from God’s word, they would take offense at it. Instead of being led to God by his providences, those same providences would push them away from him. What is a saving fragrance of life to some becomes a smell of death to others. So many among them would stumble and fall, falling into sin and into ruin. They would fall by the sword, be taken captive, and go into exile. If the things of God offend us, they will become our ruin.

Some take this as pointing to the unbelieving Jews who rejected Christ. The apostle uses this verse that way for all who continue in unbelief of the gospel of Christ (1 Peter 2:8). To such people, Christ is a rock of offense, because they refuse to obey the word and stumble over it.