We move on to Isaiah 8, which opens with Isaiah’s prophecy that while Israel and Syria are no longer a threat, Assyria is!

The LORD spoke to me again: “Because this people has refused the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and rejoice over Rezin and the son of Remaliah, therefore, behold, the Lord is bringing up against them the waters of the River, mighty and many, the king of Assyria and all his glory. And it will rise over all its channels and go over all its banks, and it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass on, reaching even to the neck, and its outspread wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.” (Isaiah 8.5 – 8, ESV)

So do we focus on the threat? No!

For the LORD spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. (Isaiah 8.11 – 13, ESV)

“Don’t fear what they fear…” “Let the LORD be your fear…” I know people (some are strong believers who should know better!) who spend their days watching the news channel of their choice and worrying. It’s no way to live.

And there are others who seek answers everywhere but the Source:

Here am I and the children whom the LORD has given me! We are for signs and wonders in Israel From the LORD of hosts, Who dwells in Mount Zion. And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living?

To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. (Isaiah 8.18 – 20, NKJV)

“To the law and to the testimony!” The Message has it:

Tell them, “No, we’re going to study the Scriptures.” People who try the other ways get nowhere—a dead end!

The instruction suggested by Isaiah 2 stands:

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. (1 John 5.21, ESV)