Rev. John Lukomski, retired pastor in Northfield, Minnesota, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Isaiah 8.

Isaiah’s own son will be a ticking countdown to the Assyrian invasion. In chapter 8, God names him Maher-shalal-hash-baz, an ominous yet hopeful name pointing to how Jerusalem will just barely survive Sennacherib’s attack. Like Immanuel, the name is one of both law and gospel, condemnation and salvation.

The difference is one of perspective. Without the light of God’s Word, we look up to heaven in anger and we look out on the earth in despair. God remains hidden. But with the light of God’s testimony and teaching, shapes emerge in the darkness. What was a stumbling block becomes our sanctuary through faith. If we embrace our fear of God, we paradoxically find peace. We are painfully confronted with our sin, but in Christ we are graciously called “Immanuel” along with Hezekiah, Judah, and all of His people.

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