Reading Isaiah 8:1-17, NIV
Assyria, the LORD’s instrument
Map: God uses the king of Assyria to punish the Israelites who turned away from God…the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria (vs 4); God spoke to Isaiah…not to follow the way of this people (vs 11); the LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear…your sanctuary (vs 13); Isaiah waits for the LORD….put his trust in God (vs 17).
Isaiah 8:1-17, GNB
[1]The Lord said to me, “Take a large piece of writing material and write on it in large letters: ‘Quick Loot, Fast Plunder’.
[2]Get two reliable men, the priest Uriah and Zechariah son of Jeberechiah, to serve as witnesses.”
[3]Some time later my wife became pregnant. When our son was born, the Lord said to me, “Name him ‘Quick-Loot-Fast-Plunder’.
[4]Before the boy is old enough to say ‘Mummy’ and ‘Daddy’, all the wealth of Damascus and all the loot of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria.”
[5]The Lord spoke to me again.
[6]He said, “Because these people have rejected the quiet waters from the brook of Shiloah, and tremble before King Rezin and King Pekah,
[7]I, the Lord, will bring the emperor of Assyria and all his forces to attack Judah. They will advance like the flood waters of the River Euphrates, overflowing all its banks.
[8]They will sweep through Judah in a flood, rising shoulder high and covering everything.”God is with us! His outspread wings protect the land.
[9]Gather together in fear, you nations! Listen, you distant parts of the earth. Get ready to fight, but be afraid! Yes, get ready, but be afraid!
[10]Make your plans! But they will never succeed. Talk as much as you like! But it is all useless, because God is with us.
[11]With his great power the Lord warned me not to follow the path which the people were following. He said,
[12]“Do not join in the schemes of the people and do not be afraid of the things that they fear.
[13]Remember that I, the Lord Almighty, am holy; I am the one you must fear.
[14]Because of my awesome holiness I am like a stone that people stumble over; I am like a trap that will catch the people of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel and the people of Jerusalem.
[15]Many will stumble; they will fall and be crushed. They will be caught in a trap.”
[16]You, my disciples are to guard and preserve the messages that God has given me.
[17]The Lord has hidden himself from his people, but I trust him and place my hope in him.