“For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying…” (Isaiah 8:11) “With a strong hand” meant with prevailing power or strength. God really wanted Isaiah to take heed to His warning. God spoke with a strong hand and gave instructions. Isaiah was not to walk in the way of the people around him.
One of the things the people did was to make a confederacy. They were afraid of being destroyed; so, instead of looking to God, they looked to other kings that they thought would help them. God said to Isaiah, “Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy...” (Isaiah 8:12a) Isaiah was not to agree with the political associations his people made with other governments.
Another thing the people did was to be afraid of what was going on around them and of the perceived dangers at hand. God instructed Isaiah not to be afraid of the same things they were afraid of; “…neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.” (Isaiah 8:12b) Does this not sound like the present circumstances in America? So many people are afraid of the wars and all that is going on around them. They are also afraid of this virus and other illnesses and natural disasters. Some fear is natural, but the fear spoken of here is a fear that consumed their thinking and dictated their way of life. God told Isaiah he was not to have this kind of fear. We, as God’s children, should not have this kind of fear either.
Fear the LORD
Instead of being consumed with fear of all that was going on around him, Isaiah was instructed to fear God, “Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” (Isaiah 8:13)
Safety is Found in Fearing the LORD
What would be the result if Isaiah feared God as he was commanded? God assured him, “And he shall be for a sanctuary…” (verse 14a) A sanctuary was a sacred place, a holy place, a place not susceptible to hurt, wound, or harm. God would be to Isaiah his safe place. He is the safe place for His people today. “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)
Fear and Stumbling are Found in Depending on Self or Others for Help
Rather than being a safe place, God would be a stumbling stone to those who went on in their own way and to those who leaned on the arm of flesh to be their help. The passage goes on to say, “…but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.” (verses 14b,15) God will not be a place of safety for those who reject Him and go on in their own way.
We are faced with a choice. What will it be? Will we make a wise choice like Isaiah and fear the Lord? Or will we make a foolish choice like the people around him and fear circumstances and people? The first is a way to safety, the other is a way to stumbling and a snare.