MarcR
Indeed you are right about the immediate context, But there is a greater context to be found in the passages of scripture as it is written:
Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
The Old Testament is primarily about Jesus and thus while we acknowledge the immediate context we must also see Christ in this also. I am sure you know the general rule is that the context about Christ should not destroy the prime context. In other words, we can't take from the verse something that would destroy the original context.
Jesus came to complete the prophets as it is written:
Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Jesus fulfils both the law and the prophets. So we must see the messiah in these passages as the main goal.
Matthew and the New Testament writers got this when they said things like:
Mat_2:15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
This is of course taken from here:
Hos 11:1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
But one would quickly see that the immediate context is actually about Israel coming out of Egypt at the beginning.
Only when one understands the principles that Jesus taught that the scriptures are actually about Jesus primarily then do we find the true meaning of the scripture.
That is just one example but there are many as I am sure you are aware.
So in regards to Isaiah 8 we do indeed see what you stated but if that was all we took then we would be as the Jews as it is written:
2Co 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
So we need to be careful that we do not deny Christ in the Old Testament When Jesus taught it was about Him and the Disciples and writers of the new testament saw Christ in places that only those who know its about Him would see even though the context was something else.
It is interesting then to take only a few notes from this chapter though there are more:
Isa 8:18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.
does this sound familiar?
Joh 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
2Co_12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
Is there no relation?
Isa 8:19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
So we are not to seek to familiar spirits etc is this not true to this day also?
SO what is the test if they are true from God or not?
Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Is it not still true that the law and the testimony are of God? Have they been removed?
as it is written:
Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
And again:
Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Satan in the last day hates those who have the commandments/law and the testimony of Jesus which the law and the prophets are really about Jesus as seen.
John uses the same language of Isaiah 8 saying:
1Jn 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
So it is before also:
Isa 8:13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
Isa 8:14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Isa 8:15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
Is this not Christ?
As it is written concerning Jesus:
1Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
and Paul quoting both Isaiah 8 and 28 says:
Rom 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
Rom 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
28:16 is also used here:
Isa 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
So we see that Paul and Peter both saw Christ in these passages, and of Christ it is said:
Isa 8:16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
Indeed there is plenty of evidence to show that this is about Jesus.
The test is just as sure today as it was then:
Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
For if they are from Christ they will have had the law sealed in them by Christ by the holy Spirit. They will also bear witness to the testimony of the Prophets as the new testament writers did.
The veil being lifted that we may see Jesus in all the scriptures.
Isa 42:21 The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.
Isa 42:22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.
Isa 42:23 Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?
Isa 42:24 Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.
