Isaiah 8

Isaiah 8:1

Roll] of Paper or some other thing fit to write upon, to set up the ensuing words in some publique place, and peradventure upon the gates of the Temple, to assure the ruine of these two confederate Kings, see Isa. 0. 8. With a mans pen] the Italian, With a mans stile] that is to say, with an ordinary manner of writing, as Hebrews 2:2. for some times the Lord ha his revelations set downe, in such manner of writing 〈◊〉 could be understood by none but the Prophet, as D. 5. 5. 7. Concerning] a propheticall and short description of the destrustion ofSyria and Israel by the Assyrians.

Isaiah 8:2

I tooke] I would have these great persons to be present, when I did set up this writing in some publique place, that they might informe every one that I have done it, and what the meaning thereof was, which questionlesse the Prophet had explained to them.

Isaiah 8:3

Maher] these are the very Hebrew words which were written in the roll, it being the Lords will that this prediction should be remembred by all men, by the name of his child.

Isaiah 8:6

This people] namely, this Army of Assyrians and Israelites The waters] that is to say, the small meanes and strength of the Church, sigured by the small streame which the Fountaine of Shiloah did send into the City of Jerusalem, which had no great River, see Psal. 46. 4. And rejoyce] in the Hebrew there is an allusion between these two words contemning, and rejoycing. His meaning is, he hath glorified himselfe, or hath been proud of the might of these two Kings, and hath triumphed, as though he had been sure to overcome the Jewes.

Isaiah 8:7

Of the River] namely, Euphrates, the chiefe River of Assyria, a figure of the power of that Empire And all his glory] namely, his power, and his Armies.

Isaiah 8:8

Passe thorow Judah] this happened in the daies of Hezekiah, 2 Kings 18:23. To the necke] even to Jerusalem which is the head of Judah. A figure taken from one that is like to be drowned in some great floud, see Isaiah 30:28. Habakkuk 3:13. Of his wings] that is to say his Armies, as Isaiah 18:1, Of thy Land] namely, of the Land of Judea, within which was restrained the Church, and the Kingdome of the promised Messias, Isaiah 7:14. by whom she should also be delivered from this invasion, v. 10.

Isaiah 8:9

Associate] as the two Kings of Syria and Israel had done against Jerusalem, Isaiah 7:2.

Isaiah 8:10

God is with us] this is the exposition of the name Immnuel, Isaiah 7:14.

Isaiah 8:11

With a strong hand] that is to say, accompanying of his word with the power of his holy Spirit in me and in all true beleevers, against the generall terrors of the unbeleeving and diffident people, which feared these two confederate Kings.

Isaiah 8:12

Say ye not] as though ye were affrighted at this league, taking it to be invincible.

Isaiah 8:13

Sanctifie] give him the glory that is due unto him, putting your trust in him, as in the holy one of Israel; namely, he whose Kingdome and Majesty, cannot be violated nor overthrown.

Isaiah 8:14

For a Sanctuary] for a sacred and inviolable place of refuge, for the true elect, and faithfull, see Ezekiel 1:1-28. 16. A stone] namely, an occasion of ruine for their rebellion and incredulity To both the] to the whole body of the unbeleeving and carnall Israelites, which were divided into two branches, namely, Judah and the ten Tribes.

Isaiah 8:16

Bind up] these are Gods words to the Prophet, the meaning whereof is, When thou preachest the doctrine and testimony of my grace, especially concerning the Messias, it shall be like unto closed and sealed Letters, to all, save onely to true beleevers, and them which are enlightened by my Spirit, who alone shall understand them, and beleeve them for the rest shall reject them, see Isai. 29. 11. Micah 2:6.

Isaiah 8:17

And I wil] that is to say, since it hath pleased God to reveale unto me this which he hath decreed against his ungratefull and rebellious people, I will peaceably submit unto his will, in the exercise of mine Office, hoping that I shal be acknowledged and approved of by him, though men reject me That hideth] namely, that hath taken his grace and Spirit from him, who had so long withstood it.

Isaiah 8:18

Behold] O ye faithfull looke upon me, whom God hath confirmed and strengthned by propheticke revelation, in all this common terror v. 11. and upon these my little children, whose mysterious and propheticke names assure us of the good which God will doe unto you, and of the evill which he will send upon your enemies, Isaiah 7. 3. & 8. 3. & 10. 21. for to stengthen you in faith, see upon Hebrews 2:13-14.

Isaiah 8:19

And when they shall] if the wicked will draw you away from these my Prophecies after divellish southsayings, which wickednesses were very frequent amongst the people, Ia 2. 6. Familiar spirits] see Lev. 19 31. That pepe] the Italian, that whisper] according to the manner of Magicians, see Isaiah 29:4. and also the word Magician seemes to be of Hebrew originall, and signifies a murmurer, or whisperer From the living] that is to say, should he use Necromancy, which is done by calling up of the spirits of dead men, to take advice of them for the safeguard of his life, in stead of calling upon the living God, the onely author, giver, and preserver of mans life, see Deuteronomy 8:11. 1 Samuel 28:8; 1 Samuel 28:12.

Isaiah 8:20

To the Law] that is to say, turne to God alone, who by his Law declares his will unto you: which you must observe, and by his Prophets, he witnesseth his good will unto you, whereupon you must hope There is no light] because he speaketh by the Prince of darknesse, and not by the Spirit of God, and hath no divine illumination, wherefore he can give no assured comfort, nor faithfull counsell, see Mich. 3. 6.

Isaiah 8:21

They shall passe] all those that have committed any such manner of wickednesse, and shall have beleeved therein, shall in the end be grievously punished for it, falling through extreame calamities into despaire, and madnesse Their God] namely, that Idol, whom they had sought after for these southsayings, Isai. 2. 8. or peradventure also the true God of that people, whereof this wicked man was And looke] to see if any ayd will come to him from Heaven, 2 Sam. 22 42.