Isaiah 8 - Do you know the significance of the longest name in the Bible? 6.14.24 Sabbath study.

This section of Isaiah consists of chapters 7-12 and they tell of prophecies during the reign of Ahaz.

Chapter eight tells us of the prediction of the invasion of the northern kingdom of Israel by Assyria.

Isa 8:1 Then the LORD said to me, "Take for yourself a large tablet and write on it in ordinary letters: Swift is the booty, speedy is the prey.

The name of this first child is Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz which is the longest name in the Bible. It means "make speed to the prey," or "easy picken's, quick to the prey." This means that Elohim is against those who are against His people. Elohim wants Isaiah to write this on a tablet for Ahaz. Elohim has a message for this godless king. He tried to get to him through Isaiah's first son named, "Sheer-Jashub" (a remnant shall return.) And now Elohim is giving him a message through Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (quick booty, easy prey).

Elohim is telling Ahaz that his enemies will not be a problem.

Isa 8:2 "And I will take to Myself faithful witnesses for testimony, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah."

Uriah means "Yahweh is my light."

Zechariah means "Yahweh remembers."

Jeberechiah means "Yahweh will bless."

What wonderful names for witnesses!

Elohim's method of delivering His message through Isaiah is a lot like Elohim's method He used to deliver His message through Ezekiel.

These two prophets did more than just say their message. They illustrated them also. Ezekiel did many extraordinary things to get his message out. He locked himself in a house and dug a hole under it in order to get out. He shaved his head and used his hair for illustrations. He built a little fort with army men and laid on his side looking at it for over a year. Ezekiel was quite the character in carrying out Elohim's will.

Isaiah is using his son's names and holding up signs as illustrations.

What did the people think of this? We don't know, but it is apparent that they all got the message. That is what Elohim wanted. They were all warned and advised.

Isa 8:3 So I approached the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. Then the LORD said to me, "Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz;

This verse may sound like it is saying he just ran into some lady in the street here, but that is not the intent of the sentence. The "prophetess" is Mrs. Isaiah. The son was named before he was even conceived.

Isa 8:4 for before the boy knows how to cry out 'My father' or 'My mother,' the wealth of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away before the king of Assyria."

Before the child will be able to say "Momma" or "Daddy," Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel will be taken away into captivity. This will be so swift that King Ahaz won't be able to take credit for it, they will all know it came from Elohim Himself.

River Valley Torah Assembly
http://rvtorah.com/