Maher-Shalel-Hash-Baz means ‘quick to the plunder’. The name of this son would speak of how Judah’s two enemies Samaria (northern Israel) and Damascus (Syria) would be destroyed.

The message of two rivers (v5-8) speaks of the people who reject the ‘gently flowing waters’ who therefore face the floodwaters. Shiloah (v6) was the stream which brought water to Jerusalem and the ‘River’ (v7) was the Euphrates which flooded regularly. The flood would be Assyria invading all the way to Jerusalem.

‘O Immanuel’ (v8b) is probably a cry for God’s help. Isaiah issues a taunt to the nations to try to do their worse, but that Immanuel with thwart them (v9-10).

Isaiah is warned not to be carried along by the views and fears of the people (v11-12). What is most important is the view of the Lord who is holy and to be feared (v13). God must be given His proper place because the one who can give sanctuary can also be the rock that makes them fall (v14-15).

There seems to be a time of trial and God hiding His face before He eventually comes to deliver (v16-17). Isaiah was God’s appointed sign to guide His people (v18), but the people were looking in the wrong place for guidance (v19).

Wisdom not according to God’s Word is darkness and not light (v20) and false wisdom leads to misery and hopelessness (v21-22).