Isaiah is instructed by the Lord to write the name 'Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz' on a large scroll and to have it witnessed by Uriah the priest and Zechariah. Isaiah's wife, referred to as the prophetess, conceives and bears a son, and the Lord commands that the child be named Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, signifying the imminent plundering of Damascus and Samaria by the king of Assyria.
Theological significance
This event underscores God's sovereignty and foreknowledge, as He declares future events through the symbolic name of Isaiah's son. It also highlights the theme of judgment against nations that oppose God's people.
In the broader story
The naming of Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz serves as a prophetic sign of God's judgment, similar to other symbolic acts by prophets throughout the Bible, such as Hosea's children (Hosea 1:4-9).
The Lord speaks of the people's rejection of the gentle waters of Shiloah and their preference for Rezin and the son of Remaliah. As a result, the Lord will bring upon them the mighty floodwaters of the king of Assyria, which will overflow and sweep through Judah.
Theological significance
This passage illustrates the consequences of rejecting God's provision and protection, symbolized by the 'waters of Shiloah,' and choosing alliances with foreign powers. It emphasizes God's control over nations and His use of them as instruments of judgment.
In the broader story
The imagery of water as both a source of life and a means of judgment is prevalent throughout Scripture, such as in the Flood narrative (Genesis 7) and Jesus' offer of living water (John 4:10-14).
The Lord instructs Isaiah not to fear what the people fear but to regard the Lord as holy. He is to be a sanctuary for those who trust in Him, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both houses of Israel.
Theological significance
This passage calls for a reverent fear of God above all else, highlighting His holiness and the dual nature of His presence as both a refuge and a stumbling block. It foreshadows the New Testament revelation of Christ as the cornerstone and stumbling stone (1 Peter 2:6-8).
In the broader story
The theme of God as a sanctuary and a stumbling block is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus is described as the cornerstone rejected by builders (Matthew 21:42, 1 Peter 2:6-8).
Isaiah speaks of binding up the testimony and sealing the law among his disciples. He declares his trust in the Lord, who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob, and emphasizes the importance of seeking God rather than consulting mediums and spiritists.
Theological significance
This section stresses the importance of adhering to God's Word and the dangers of seeking guidance outside of it. It highlights the theme of divine revelation and the sufficiency of Scripture.
In the broader story
The call to trust in God's Word is a consistent biblical theme, seen in passages like Psalm 119, which extols the virtues of God's law, and 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which speaks of the inspiration and usefulness of Scripture.
In the order the chapter tells them. The corpus records sequence, not dates — biblical chronology is contested, and this does not take a position on it.