Jo’s Place

Isaiah Chapter 8 Then, the  Lord  said to me,  “Make a large billboard and clearly write this name on it:  Maher-shalal-hash-baz.”  … which means "he goes quickly (to the) spoils; or he hurries (to the) plunder."  It signifies the impending destruction of Israel and Syria by the  Assyrian army . The name itself is a prophecy, highlighting the swiftness and certainty of this coming judgment (  So, I, Isaiah ) asked Uriah, the priest, and Zechariah, son of Jeberekiah, both known as honest men, to witness my doing this -  making the billboard . Then, I slept with my wife, and she became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son.  And the  Lord  said, “Call him Maher-shalal-hash-baz.  For before this child is old enough to say ‘Papa’ or ‘Mama,’ the king of Assyria will carry away both the abundance of Damascus and the riches of Samaria.” Then, the  Lord  spoke to me again and said,  “My care, for the people of Judah...

Isaiah 7 When Ahaz, the son of Jotham, and grandson of Uzziah, was king of Judah,  …King Rezin of Syria, and Pekah, the son of Remaliah, the king of Israel, set out to attack Jerusalem.  However, they were unable to carry out their plan. The news had come, to the royal court of Judah:  “Syria is allied with Israel* against us!”  So, the hearts of the king, and his people trembled with fear, like trees shaking, in a storm. Then, the  Lord  said to Isaiah,  “Take your son, Shear-jashub, and go out to meet King Ahaz.  You will find him, at the end, of the aqueduct, that feeds water, into the upper pool, near the road, leading to the field, where cloth is washed.*  Tell him to stop worrying.  Tell him he doesn’t need to fear, the fierce anger, of those two burned-out embers, King Rezin, of Syria, and Pekah, son of Remaliah.  Yes, the kings of Syria and Israel are plotting against him, saying,  ‘We will attack Judah, and capture it,...