Isaiah - Verse By Verse | Isaiah

Isaiah - Day 148

versebyverse | November 15, 2008 17:54

Scripture: Isaiah 8:4 (NIV): "Before the boy knows how to say 'My father' or 'My mother', the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria."

Thought: To me, we really have very little time before God acts.

Question: Am I ready for God's judgment?

Here is a prophecy with a somewhat short lead time: 9 months (from conception to birth--a usually reliable timetable), (see yesterday's verse), and approximately 24 months (from birth to speaking the words "father" and "mother".) Notice our verse today says "before the boy knows how to say 'My father' or 'My mother'..." Without splitting hairs what we see here is really a very short period of time.

The two kings dreaded by King Ahaz of Judah (see Isaiah 7:16) are Rezin of Aram and Pekah king of Israel (see Isaiah 7:1). Before Assyria descends upon Judah it will attack these two kingdoms. This prophecy was fulfilled in 722/721 B.C.

Perhaps King Ahaz is happy to hear of the destruction of his enemies, but that kind of reaction is not wise. God will use the same powerful horde to judge them! And it is coming very quickly!

Prayer: Lord, awaken me out of "sleep"! Help me to be ready for what You are about to do. Open my eyes to Your truths through Your Word. Amen.