(5.) "Against the Messianic explanation, and in favour of that of a son of the Prophet, is the passage chap. viii. 18, where the Prophet says that his sons have been given to him for signs and wonders in Israel." But although Immanuel be erroneously reckoned among the sons of the Prophet, there still remain Shearjashub and Mahershalalhashbaz. The latter name refers, _in the first instance only_, to Aram and Ephraim specially; or the general truth which it declares is applied to this relation only. But, just as the name Shearjashub announces new _salvation_ to the prostrate _people of God_, so the second name announces near _destruction_ to the triumphing _world_ hostile to God; so that both the names supplement one another. As _signs_, these two sons of the Prophet pointed to the future deliverance and salvation of Israel, and the defeat of the world; and the very circumstance that they did so when, humanly viewed, all seemed to be lost, was a subject for wonder. But that we can in no case make Immanuel a third son of the Prophet, we have already proved.
Ver. 15. _Cream and honey shall he eat, when he knows to refuse the evil and choose the good._ Ver. 16. _For before the boy shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good, the country shall be forsaken of the two kings of which thou standest in awe._