Isaiah 8:5-10

⁵ And Yahveh continued to speak to me again, saying, ⁶ “Because this people has refused the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and enjoys Rezin and the son of Remaliah, ⁷ therefore see the Lord bringing up the waters of the great and mighty river against them, the king of Assyria and all his glory. And he will rise above all his channels, and he will flow over all his banks. ⁸ And he will sweep into Judah; he will overflow and he will flood up to neck height. He will reach, and the outspreading of his wings will be the fullness of the breadth of your land, oh God with us.” ⁹ Be broken, peoples, and be disappointed. And listen, all you distant land; gird yourselves and be disappointed; gird yourselves and be disappointed! ¹⁰ Plan counsel but it will be frustrated! Speak a message, but it will not stand, because God is with us!

the coming flood

When Penny and I are out hiking on the long trails, we don’t often encounter mighty rivers. We most often encounter gentle streams, and those are the most ideal water sources when you are thirsty. A roaring river is great to look at, but it poses problems when you are trying to fill a water container. So, when we come to a stream, we usually take advantage of it, and fill up our empties. We don’t wait for something bigger. Besides, a stream can be easily crossed, but a river – not so much.

Judah was enjoying the fact that they had just outlived the threat of an invasion by Syria and Israel. They patted themselves on the back for their good luck. But Isaiah told his people that Syria and Israel were just a trickle; a mighty river was coming, which they would not be able to negotiate. Assyria would flood the whole land like a mighty river. Judah would prepare themselves for war, but this time the enemy would not be stopped, so they would be disappointed.

It is in this context that Isaiah slips in another reference to Immanuel, God is with us. It does not mean that the flood will not happen. God’s presence does not always divert his judgment on sin, even in this life. In fact, for Judah, God’s presence guaranteed that they would face the mighty waters of Assyria, because that is what God promised. The LORD will not abandon his people, even when they deserve it. He’s there, going through the trial with us.

LORD, teach us how to walk with you. We know you are here walking with us.