Isaiah's Family as a Sign

The LORD told Isaiah to take a large tablet and write a striking name on it: Maher Shalal Hash Baz. He was also to gather faithful witnesses, Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberechiah, so this sign would be properly witnessed.

Then Isaiah went to the prophetess. She conceived and later bore a son. The LORD told Isaiah to give the child the same unusual name that had been written on the tablet. Isaiah’s own household became part of this warning sign.

God said that before the boy was old enough to say, 'my father' and 'my mother', the riches of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria would be carried away by the king of Assyria. The child’s earliest years showed that this warning was near.

The LORD spoke again. This people had refused the softly flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoiced in Rezin and Remaliah’s son. So the Lord would bring against them the great floodwaters of the River, meaning the king of Assyria with all his power.

That flood was pictured as rising over its banks and sweeping into Judah, reaching up to the neck and spreading across the land. The nations could prepare for battle and make their plans, but they would be shattered, because God is with us.