Isaiah Ch. 8: “Forasmuch as this People Refuseth the Waters of Shiloah” | Isaiah's Book Club

Summary

Chapter 8 begins with a prophecy of upcoming destruction at the hands of the Assyrians, comprising verses 1 through 10. This prophecy continues Isaiah's messenger speech to Ahaz, begun in Chapter 7. The prophecy is followed by a priestly sermon, comprising verses 11 through 18, in which Isaiah declares that Christ will be as a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to Israel and Jerusalem because of their wickedness. The final part, comprising verses 19 through 22, is a condemnation of Israel's wickedness, reliance upon mediums and diviners for spiritual guidance, and the consequences thereof. . . . Compare 2 Nephi 18. (Isaiah: The Times of Fulfillment, 117.)

[Note: Throughout this blog, differences between the Old Testament and Book of Mormon texts of Isaiah are shown in normal type while the rest of the passage appears in italics.]

Commentary

The title for this post is found in verse 6, where the Lord states reasons for the impending destruction at the hands of the Assyrians:

"Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;"

According to our study guide:

"Shiloah," transliterated from the Hebrew Shiloach, means "sent." It is also the name given a spring southeast of Jerusalem, which provided drinking water for the ancient city. . . . "The waters of Shiloah" metaphorically means the gospel of Jesus Christ; before His mortal ministry it meant the Law of Moses. In this metaphor the source of drinking water for the city of Jerusalem is compared to the divine source of living water—the Savior, who provides eternal salvation. . . . By contrast, "Rezin and Remaliah's son" designate the wicked leaders of Syria and the Northern Kingdom of Israel, together with their characteristic worldliness." (Isaiah: The Times of Fulfillment, 118.)

Additional insight is found when verse 6 is seen as part of a chiasm that stretches from verse 4 through 7:

A: (4) For behold, the child shall not have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, before the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.
B: (5) The LORD spake also unto me again, saying, (6) Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters
C: of Shiloah that go softly,
D: and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;
C: (7) Now therefore, behold, Jehovah, Lord bringeth up upon them
B: the waters of the river, strong and many,
A: even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks.

Again, as our study guide explains:

"Shiloah" in verse 6 is chiastically equivalent to "the LORD" in verse 7, revealing Isaiah's intended meaning. "The waters of Shiloah that go softly" means that the gospel is easier to practice than enduring the alternative—chaos, wickedness, strife, and destruction at the hands of the Assyrian army. Compare the words of the mortal Redeemer: "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Isaiah: The Times of Fulfillment, 118.)

Sadly, however, despite Isaiah's prophecy that the invasion of Syria and the North Kingdom of Israel would come to not, Ahaz and the people of Judah forsook the Lord and entered into an alliance with Assyria. In 2 Kings 16:7-9 we read:

"(7) So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, I am thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me. (8) And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the Lord, and in the treasures of the king's house, and sent it for a present to the king of Assyria. (9) And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin."

Discussion

What can we do to strengthen our faith in the Lord so that, in a moment of weakness or alarm, we do not place our faith in some other source?

For a continued in-depth study of this chapter, please refer to Isaiah: The Times of Fulfillment, A Verse-by-Verse Commentary by Ivan D. Sanderson, which is available online and at your local LDS bookstore. Share this: Email