Isaiah 8:12
“Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.”
This verse is part of a larger section in the book of Isaiah where the prophet Isaiah is delivering a message from God to the people of Judah, particularly addressing their fear and anxiety in the face of impending danger from their enemies.
To understand the context of Isaiah 8:12, it’s important to look at the preceding verses. In Isaiah 8:9-10, God instructs Isaiah to deliver a message to the people, saying:
“Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.”
Here, God is essentially telling the enemies of Judah that their plans to attack and destroy Judah will ultimately fail because God is with His people.
In Isaiah 8:11, God then instructs Isaiah with a message for the people of Judah, saying:
“For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying…”
God is emphasizing the importance of not aligning with the fear and false confidences of the people. This leads us to Isaiah 8:12, which is a direct continuation of God’s instruction:
“Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.”
Here, God is cautioning the people of Judah not to give in to fear or be influenced by the fearful response of others. The word “confederacy” refers to an alliance or treaty. In this context, it implies seeking alliances with other nations against their enemies, which was a common response to threats in that era.
However, God is telling the people not to put their trust in such alliances. Instead, they are to trust in Him alone. The phrase “neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid” encourages the people to rise above the prevailing fear and anxiety of the situation and place their confidence in God’s faithfulness and protection.
In the subsequent verses (Isaiah 8:13-15), God reassures the people of Judah that He alone is to be feared and trusted, and that those who trust in Him will be secure. He encourages them to sanctify Him in their hearts and not to dread what others fear.
Overall, Isaiah 8:12 serves as a reminder to trust in God’s sovereignty and faithfulness even in the face of threats and challenges. It encourages believers to rely on God rather than human alliances or the prevailing fears of the world.
