QT 19/02/2025 Wed. Isaiah 8. Trust the One who gave the irrefutable signs. 相信那赐下无可辩驳神迹的主。
QT 19/02/2025 Wed. Isaiah 8. Trust the One who gave the irrefutable signs.
READ http://www.esvbible.org/isaiah8
"The spoil speeds, the prey hastens" (Maher-shalal-hash-baz, 8:2) was associated with the name of Isaiah's son. This name pointed to the ending of those who refused the grace and provisions supplied by the LORD—
Isaiah 8:6–7 [6] “Because this people has refused the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and rejoice over Rezin and the son of Remaliah, [7] 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, (ESV)
Water in neutral—it could irrigate and nourish, or overwhelm and become deadly. "The waters of Shiloah" (8:6) would irrigate. This stream most likely flowed on the east side of the city of Jerusalem. Even though it is small, its flow rate was sufficient to sustain the whole city, since a resident does not continually drink water without stopping.
REFLECTION: The seemingly insignificant provision of the LORD would in effect be all the sustenance that His people need. Would we concentrate our energy and praises to thank God for the sufficient provisions, or fret over the never ending wants which His people do not really need? Would we re-examine and re-evaluate the LORD's provision for us so far in greater detail?
The pregnancy of Maher-shalal-hash-baz (8:3, 9 months) plus the time needed for the boy to be able to cry "My father" or "My mother" (8:4, perhaps another 24 months) might total up to be about 33 months? Anyway, a two to three year period, or even five is short using the clock of history. But the swiftness of the arrival of "king of Assyria" (8:4,7) reminded readers that God's word and actions are sure and definite—His punishment would shortly and surely come for those who have refused His gentle waters of provision and warning.
REFLECTION: Would we quicken our steps to embrace God, once and for all?
The attractiveness of the mighty nations of the world was equated with the great River, i.e., river Euphrates (8:7). Even though it seemed to be an attractive proposition to find a safe haven under the protection of this mighty nation (or any mighty nation), the truth was that this same mighty river would sweep over the same seeker of protection, instead of protecting them.
APPLICATION: Receive the teaching of Isaiah 8 and Trust The LORD. Fear Him and wait for Him in view of the signs that He had already performed in history.
QT 19/02/2025 星期三. 以赛亚书 8. 相信那赐下无可辩驳神迹的主。
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/isa/8
“战利品加速，猎物加快"（Maher-shalal-hash-baz, 8:2）与以赛亚儿子的名字有关。这个名字指的是那些拒绝耶和华的恩典和供应的人的结局，即
《以赛亚书》8:6-7 “这子民既然厌弃了西罗亚缓流的水，却喜悦利汛和利玛利的儿子，7 因此，主必使大河又强又大的水临到他们，就是亚述王和他一切威荣，水必涨起来，高过所有的水道；水要泛滥，漫过所有的河岸；
水是中性的，它可以灌溉和滋养，也可以淹没和致命。如果是 “西罗亚缓流的水”（8:6），它可以灌溉。这条溪流很可能流向耶路撒冷城的东边。尽管它很小，但它的流量足以维持整个城市的用水，因为一个居民不会不停地喝水。
反思：耶和华看似微不足道的供应，实际上是祂的子民所需要的全部养料。我们会集中精力和赞美来感谢上帝的充足供应，还是为祂的子民并不真正需要的永无止境的需求而忧虑？我们会更详细地重新审视和评估耶和华迄今为止对我们的供应吗？
Maher-shalal-hash-baz（8:3）的母亲怀孕的时间加上男孩能够喊出 “爸爸 ”或 “妈妈”（8:4）所需的时间可能是 9 个月，再加上另一个可能只有 24 个月？总之，用历史的时钟来计算，两三年甚至五年的时间是很短的。但 “亚述王”（8:4,7）的迅速到来提醒读者，神的话语和行动是确定无疑的--对于那些拒绝神温柔的供应和警告的人，神的惩罚很快就会到来。
反思：我们会加快步伐，一劳永逸地拥抱上帝吗？
世界上强大国家的吸引力被等同于大河，即以弗拉底河（8:7）。尽管在这个强大的国家（或任何强大的国家）的保护下找到一个安全的避风港似乎很有吸引力，但事实是，这条大河同样会席卷寻求保护的人，而不是保护他们。
应用：接受以赛亚书第 8 章的教导，信靠耶和华。鉴于耶和华在历史上所行的神迹，敬畏祂，等候祂。
