Isa 8:19-22 | KingComments | STEP | He who does not listen to God’s words turns to the powers of darkness. The difference between them is like the difference between the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and the wild waters of Assyria ( ). One brings blessing, the other destruction. Now that the LORD hides His face from the house of Jacob, the people seek salvation with spiritistic mediums ( ). Spiritism has penetrated into Judah ( ). These mediums try to influence the family and disciples of Isaiah. Thus, believers today also undergo attempts by evil spirits to influence them. Here we see that “the living” consult “the dead” although the law and the testimony are with them in which the light of God shines. This practice is strongly condemned by God in His Word ( ; ). Those who do not believe in the Word of God seek counsel and help from other sources ( ). The LORD reproaches the people for this way of acting by asking two questions, the answer to which is contained in the question. Instead of consulting the living God, the dead idols are consulted, behind which there are demons ( ). Around every major crisis in human affairs often an eruption of spiritism takes place. This is the case in Judah and Israel. This is the case in the time of Christ’s coming to earth. It is the same today, just before Christ’s return. In times of need, man massively prefers to resort to divination rather than to God. People see the uncertainty of the future and want information about it. Instead of turning to the God of truth one turns to the father of lies. But God has provided in the holy Scriptures everything necessary for our guidance and all our spiritual needs ( ). The people are reminded of the Word ( ). The teaching of the law answers the questions of life and leads to a life in the light ( ). He who ignores this will end up in eternal darkness. For such a person there is no future, “no dawn”. The way to that awful future is horrible and becomes more and more terrifying ( ). There is a lack of everything that is necessary to live. There is also total darkness inwardly. Blame is placed on anyone who, in their eyes, has the power to change their misery. In the future, when the king of the North invades ( ), the antichrist, who will be king of Israel, will not be able to do anything. The people will then realize that their king is in fact a worthless shepherd who abandons the sheep ( ) and will then curse their king. This will be partly justified because the king of the North invaded the land because of him. But instead of repenting and acknowledging their guilt, they will blame God for all this, as many do today. Instead of blaming themselves, they will harden their hearts and curse God. They will be driven away ( ). This concerns the nation. They will be expelled from the land of Immanuel and carried away to a strange and dark land. There they will be deprived of all light in which they refused to walk when they had it at their disposal. They have chosen the darkness and they are now receiving it in abundance. On the outside and on the inside, above and below, there is darkness and fear everywhere.

‏ Isaiah 8:19-22

Consulting Demons

He who does not listen to God’s words turns to the powers of darkness. The difference between them is like the difference between the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and the wild waters of Assyria (Isa 8:6-7). One brings blessing, the other destruction. Now that the LORD hides His face from the house of Jacob, the people seek salvation with spiritistic mediums (Isa 8:19). Spiritism has penetrated into Judah (Isa 2:6 ; Isa 3:2-3). These mediums try to influence the family and disciples of Isaiah. Thus, believers today also undergo attempts by evil spirits to influence them.

Here we see that “the living” consult “the dead” although the law and the testimony are with them in which the light of God shines. This practice is strongly condemned by God in His Word (Lev 20:27; Deu 18:9-12). Those who do not believe in the Word of God seek counsel and help from other sources (1Sam 28:6-8). The LORD reproaches the people for this way of acting by asking two questions, the answer to which is contained in the question. Instead of consulting the living God, the dead idols are consulted, behind which there are demons (1Cor 10:19-20).

Around every major crisis in human affairs often an eruption of spiritism takes place. This is the case in Judah and Israel. This is the case in the time of Christ’s coming to earth. It is the same today, just before Christ’s return. In times of need, man massively prefers to resort to divination rather than to God. People see the uncertainty of the future and want information about it. Instead of turning to the God of truth one turns to the father of lies. But God has provided in the holy Scriptures everything necessary for our guidance and all our spiritual needs (2Tim 3:16-17).

The people are reminded of the Word (Isa 8:20). The teaching of the law answers the questions of life and leads to a life in the light (Isa 2:5). He who ignores this will end up in eternal darkness. For such a person there is no future, “no dawn”. The way to that awful future is horrible and becomes more and more terrifying (Isa 8:21). There is a lack of everything that is necessary to live. There is also total darkness inwardly. Blame is placed on anyone who, in their eyes, has the power to change their misery.

In the future, when the king of the North invades (Dan 11:40-44), the antichrist, who will be king of Israel, will not be able to do anything. The people will then realize that their king is in fact a worthless shepherd who abandons the sheep (Zec 11:17) and will then curse their king. This will be partly justified because the king of the North invaded the land because of him. But instead of repenting and acknowledging their guilt, they will blame God for all this, as many do today. Instead of blaming themselves, they will harden their hearts and curse God.

They will be driven away (Isa 8:22). This concerns the nation. They will be expelled from the land of Immanuel and carried away to a strange and dark land. There they will be deprived of all light in which they refused to walk when they had it at their disposal. They have chosen the darkness and they are now receiving it in abundance. On the outside and on the inside, above and below, there is darkness and fear everywhere.