17 And I have waited for Jehovah, Who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob, And I have looked for Him. 18 Lo, I, and the children whom Jehovah hath given to me, 'Are' for signs and for wonders in Israel, From Jehovah of Hosts, who is dwelling in Mount Zion. 19 And when they say unto you, 'Seek unto those having familiar spirits, And unto wizards, who chatter and mutter, Doth not a people seek unto its God?—For the living unto the dead! 20 To the law and to the testimony! If not, let them say after this manner, 'That there is no dawn to it.' 21 —And it hath passed over into it, hardened and hungry, And it hath come to pass, That it is hungry, and hath been wroth, And made light of its king, and of its God, And hath looked upwards. 22 And unto the land it looketh attentively, And lo, adversity and darkness!—Dimness, distress, and thick darkness is driven away, But not the dimness for which she is in distress!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 8:17-22
Commentary on Isaiah 8:17-22
(Read Isaiah 8:17-22)
The prophet foresaw that the Lord would hide his face; but he would look for his return in favour to them again. Though not miraculous signs, the children's names were memorials from God, suited to excite attention. The unbelieving Jews were prone to seek counsel in difficulties, from diviners of different descriptions, whose foolish and sinful ceremonies are alluded to. Would we know how we may seek to our God, and come to the knowledge of his mind? To the law and to the testimony; for there you will see what is good, and what the Lord requires. We must speak of the things of God in the words which the Holy Ghost teaches, and be ruled by them. To those that seek to familiar spirits, and regard not God's law and testimony, there shall be horror and misery. Those that go away from God, go out of the way of all good; for fretfulness is a sin that is its own punishment. They shall despair, and see no way of relief, when they curse God. And their fears will represent every thing as frightful. Those that shut their eyes against the light of God's word, will justly be left to darkness. All the miseries that ever were felt or witnessed on earth, are as nothing, compared with what will overwhelm those who leave the words of Christ, to follow delusions.