Verses 1-10
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Verses 1-4. As a continuation of Isaiah 7, God speaks of a soon defeat of both Syria and Israel by the hand of the Assyrians. Isaiah went to his wife, and she bore a son. Before the baby reached a certain age, Assyria would attack and defeat Israel. His son would serve as a sign.
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Verses 6-8. Then we learn about one of the reasons why Assyria would defeat them. The people of Israel were discontent with the land God have them, and the humble rivers of that land. Like in Exodus, they complained. So God said he would bring upon them the Assyrians, who come from a land of large rivers, to overflow and overwhelm them like a flood of waters.
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Verse 8. Isaiah reminds us that the land belonged to Immanuel—to Christ; it was God’s land, not merely the Israelites’ land. Therefore, God exercised His right to take that land away from Israel!
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As such, don’t complain about what you have, and be thankful for it. God owns it, and God can take away!
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Verse 10. This verse reminds us that when God says what’s going to happen, we can try all we want to stop it, avoid it, or speak against it, but our efforts will fail.
Verses 11-13
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There were many threats from Assyria to the people of Judah. But God was reminding Isaiah not listen to the conspiracies of the world, nor to fear their threats, but rather to fear God.
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“And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. ‘And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled’ ” (I Peter 3:13-14).
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Don’t worry about people opposing you. What matters is making sure you’re not opposed by God in your actions.
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As Jesus said, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
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There is no reason to fear human enemies because the worst they could do is inflict physical death. But if you know that God inflicts eternal condemnation for sin, this should bring a greater fear.
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Verses 14-15
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Jesus used this passage to refer to Himself. He would be a sanctuary for people, but the Jews would stumble (fall to sin) because of Him. How so?
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Jesus’ message was offensive to the Jews, it angered them, so they sinned in rejecting Him and crucifying Him. As such, Jesus' life was a snare to many of them (Luke 20:17-19), rather than salvation.
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Remember that Christ and His Gospel will offend people. Don't be concerned about this because it must happen, and it exposes those who are perishing (1 Corinthians 1:18,23).
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The Bible says that Jesus was “destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel” (Luke 2:34). Some people must fall.
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But, “Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me” (Matthew 11:6).
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Verses 16-18
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Here Isaiah speaks of himself, his companions, and his family, saying, “We will guard and follow God’s Word, we will be attentive to Him, and we will devote ourselves to showing the wonders of God to Israel.”
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Isaiah's son, mentioned in verses 3-4, served as a sign for Israel. He saw his children as being born for a purpose, and he knew that his children would be with him in his task to testify to Israel.
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Have this same mind. If possible, work together with your friends and family to be attentive and obedient to what the Word says.
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People should see Christ in you and your life should point them to Christ. Representing Christ is your purpose! Raise your children to live for this purpose also!
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Verses 19-22
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Verses 19-20. Isaiah reminds us here that it is critical for us to focus on the Word of God—the law and the testimony. Don’t listen to anything that contradicts the Bible.
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And remember that if people try to give counsel that contradicts the Word, there is no light in them. They do not understand, so do not listen.
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Witchcraft and seeking to communicate with or to the dead are both sinful.
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Verses 21-22. But those that ignore the word will suffer, blame God for it, and then they will look for help from both spiritual and natural sources, but they will not find it.