Matthew Henry on Isaiah 8:9-15
The prophet here returns to speak of the present distress that Ahaz and his court and kingdom were in upon account of the threatening confederacy of the ten tribes and the Syrians against them. And in these verses,
I. He triumphs over the invading enemies, and, in effect, sets them at defiance, and bids them do their worst (Isa 8:9, Isa 8:10): "O you people, you of far countries, give ear to what the prophet says to you in God's name." 1. "We doubt not but you will now make your utmost efforts against Judah and Jerusalem. You associate yourselves in a strict alliance. You gird yourselves, and again you gird yourselves; you prepare for action; you address yourselves to it with resolution; you…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 8:10
the word--of command, for the assault of Jerusalem.
God is with us--"Immanuel" implies this (Num 14:9; Psa 46:7).
John Gill on Isaiah 8:10
Take counsel together,.... As Rezin king of Syria, and Remaliah's son, did against Judah, Isaiah 7:5,
it shall come to nought; for, though they came up against it, they could not overcome it, 2 Kings 16:5,
speak the word; what they intended, resolved upon, and determined to do; this is the issue of their counsels:
and it shall not stand; See Gill on Isaiah 7:7,
for God is with us; which is the interpretation of the name "Immanuel": and which shows that the reason why the consultations and resolutions of the enemies of Judah could not take place, so as to destroy it, was because Immanuel, the virgin's son, was to be born in it.
John Calvin on Isaiah 8:10
Take counsel. After having spoken of the forces of the enemies, he now comes to their counsels; as if he had said, "Although the enemies may abound not only in armor and in strength, but, in counsel and wisdom, still they will accomplish nothing." And this warning was very necessary; for it often happens that we despise enemies, though powerful and well armed, because they want counsel, and are guided by blind violence rather than by reason. He therefore forewarns them that the craftiness of the enemies, and all the arts by which they endeavor to gain advantage over the people of God, will in the end be unsuccessful; and, therefore, that they will accomplish nothing, though they be in want o…
