The Prophet and His Day: Isaiah 1-39 - Free Bible Commentary

} “the LORD who is hiding His face” This is a metaphor for a broken relationship (cf. Deut. 31:17-18).} “I will even look eagerly for Him” This VERB (BDB 875, KB 1082, Piel PERFECT) denotes intenselonging.1. used of YHWH in 5:2,72. used of His disciples in 25:9; 33:2; 60:9This stresses the interpersonal aspect of faith. It is not God’s blessings, but His presence that believersultimately desire! This is what the title “Immanuel” implies.8:18 This refers in context to Isaiah in the eighth century, but ultimately it applies best to Jesus (cf. Heb.2:13).} “who dwells on Mount Zion” In reality YHWH dwelt in heaven, but the Ark of the Covenant wasHis footstool (i.e., cf. I Chr. 28:2; Ps. 99:5; 132:7, the place where heaven and earth met).NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 8:19-2219When they say to you, "Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,"should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? 20 Tothe law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they haveno dawn. 21 They will pass through the land hard-pressed and famished, and it will turn out thatwhen they are hungry, they will be enraged and curse their king and their God as they faceupward. 22 Then they will look to the earth, and behold, distress and darkness, the gloom ofanguish; and they will be driven away into darkness.8:19-22 This prose paragraph contrasts the false faith involved in seeking mediums and wizards with thetrue faith of trusting in and seeking YHWH. The prohibitions against mediums and wizards are foundin Deut. 18:9-11 and Lev. 20:26, 31.8:19 “Consult” This VERB (BDB 205, KB 233) is used twice in this verse.1. seek, consult, inquire of false gods (occult), Qal IMPERATIVE2. seek, consult, inquire of YHWH, Qal IMPERFECTIn 11:10 this same VERB is used of the nations coming to the root of Jesse (i.e., the Davidic Messiah).YHWH’s hand was on Isaiah in 8:11, but these false prophets spoke from their own imagination ordemonic influence. What a contrast between the true speaker and false speakers. Yet, fallen humansflock to false teachers!} Notice the lists of occultic practices that God’s people had assimilated from the surrounding nations.1. mediums, The PARTICIPLE’s (BDB 981, KB 1371) basic meaning is to “ask” or “inquire.”Here to inquire of the spirit realm (e.g., YHWH, Josh. 9:14 or idols, Hosea 4:12).The first NOUN, “medium” (BDB 15) is a difficult term to define. Some see the term as itis used in Lev. 19:31; 20:6,27 as (1) a pit or grave where spirits are lured, (2) form of “father”which refers to ancestor worship. It is translated in the LXX in Isa. 8:19 as “ventriloquist.”Because of this and Isa. 29:4 some think it means “to chirp” or “to mutter.” This would implyto “talk with a different voice.” However, from I Sam. 28:7-9, it is related to the ability tocall or talk to someone in the ground or to communicate with the dead or spirits of theunderworld, i.e., necromancy.118