Isaiah 8:14

For a sanctuary. Heb. miqdash, “sacred place,” “sanctuary.” Those who duly feared the Lord (see on v. 13) would find in Him a refuge from danger (see on Ps. 91). Isaiah sought to turn the people away from earthly things to God. Christ was, and is today, the true “sanctuary” of Israel.

A stone of stumbling. Jesus referred to Himself as the Rock (Matt. 21:42-44). Paul quoted Isa. 8:14 with reference to Christ (Rom. 9:33), and Peter gave an even more detailed application of it (1 Peter 2:6-8). During the erection of Solomon’s Temple no place could be found for a certain huge stone cut at the quarry and transported to the site of the Temple. For a long time it lay in the way of the builders, unused and rejected. Eventually, however, it was discovered that this was the most important stone of the entire structure, the cornerstone, and it was finally placed in its vital position (see DA 597, 598). Jesus is the long-rejected Cornerstone of Judaism.

To those who did not know Christ, He was a stone of stumbling and offense. He was constantly in their way, keeping them from carrying out their own selfish plans, preventing them from accomplishing their wicked designs. The very Stone over which they stumbled was none other than the Cornerstone of heaven itself, the One without whom all life, joy, and peace for this world and the universe are impossible.

Both the houses of Israel. This phrase makes evident that Isaiah addresses himself not only to Judah but also to Israel. Both Israel and Judah had turned against the Lord and His law, finding Him an offense rather than the sanctuary of life and hope that He promised to be.

For a snare. The figure of the stone is exchanged for that of a trap, to bring out another aspect of the problem. Christ and His message would be as a trap, or a snare, to the wicked inhabitants of Jerusalem. He who should be the life, hope, and protection of all mankind would prove to be a snare to those who refused to walk in His ways. Only thus, however, can life be preserved on earth. If the wicked were allowed to walk unrestrained in their evil ways, they would very soon destroy themselves and all the inhabitants of earth. It is only by calling a halt to the operations of the wicked and placing certain restraints upon them beyond which they are not permitted to go, that the continuation of life is made possible on earth. Every man who lives can thank God that He is as a gin and a snare to the wicked, for otherwise there would be no peace or joy, no freedom or hope, for any of the inhabitants of earth.