Can you imagine calling your second son in from playing whose name is Mahershalalhashbaz? (Isaiah 8) What would you even nickname him? Why would you decide to name him that? I dare you to try and spell it without looking at it on paper. This name was not offered in Scripture as a novelty. It is pregnant with meaning and prophecy. This is a reflection of the unrest and discontent in Judah. The daily fears of invasion were on everyone’s mind. Well, here’s the story.
As a nation Judah was weak. The country of Edom was nipping at the heels of the northeastern frontier. Assyria was becoming a predominant power in the area. A river overflowing mentioned later in the chapter depicts a military flood heading their way. The immediate threat to Judah was from Syria and Samaria. The people needed encouragement from God.
That encouragement came in the form of a large sign on which was written the name of Isaiah’s son Mahershalalhashbaz. God instructed the prophet to display the name as a divine word and would be fulfilled before this baby spoke his first words. Assyria would destroy Syria and Samaria after which it would invade Judah but only to a point. The new superpower of Babylon would minimize the invasion by Assyria.
The translation of the name of Isaiah’s son was “Speed plunder, haste spoil” that would refer to the defeat of Syria and Samaria. The names of Isaiah and his family were use as a message from God to His people. This became a prophecy of encouragement and cheerfulness when there seemed none was available.
Apply this name and meaning to ourselves today. When you think all is lost and you are trying your best to rely on God, think of this name. Our Lord is always the victor. Christ is always the one who will defeat the enemy. Jesus always has our best interest in mind. This is a reminder of the hymn, “Hold the fort, for I am coming.”
Christian Writer 