The Waters of Shiloah That Go Softly
Clay Curtis

Isaiah 8: 5: The LORD spake also unto me again, saying, 6: Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah’s son;

The waters of Shiloah, or Siloam, typify Christ Jesus the Lord and Savior of God's chosen people. These waters came up out of a rock at the base of Mt. Zion. We learn from Nehemiah 3:15 that the wall of the pool of Siloah was by the king’s garden. This was the pool in which the Lord Jesus commanded the blind man to go wash, John 9:7: And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. The waters of Siloam were a small current of water, which moved softly and slowly, and not with a rapid motion, as the mighty rivers in the land.

So we see a type of Christ in the waters of Siloam. Christ Jesus the Son of God is the one sent of God the Father (John 8: 42; 9: 4.) He is the Fountain which springs out of heavens Zion, from the Kings throne (Romans 11: 26.) Our Lord did not come as a mighty river, but as a gentle stream—a tender plant which sprung up. There was no form, nor comeliness about him that would make men desire him. He came into Jerusalem riding on a lowly asses’ colt. He did not break the bruised reed or quench the smoking flax yet he brought forth judgment unto truth. His yoke is light and easy to bear.

Refusing The Waters of Shiloah

So when did Ahaz and the people refuse Christ, the waters of Shiloah that go softly? It was when he refused the gospel which Isaiah declared. Most think it was at the pool of Siloam that Isaiah was sent to preach to king Ahaz (Isaiah 7: 3.) Isaiah preached to Ahaz that he was in such a dire need of salvation that it would take nothing less than God in human flesh to save him from his enemies. But Ahaz thought within himself, what foolishness! Isaiah declared that all flesh is so corrupt that the Messiah must be formed in the womb of a virgin by the Holy Spirit but Ahaz refused to confess that the light he thought he had was really darkness. Isaiah declared that it would take nothing less than God in human flesh--Immanuel--God with us--to save his people from their sin (Isaiah 7: 11-15.) But Ahaz had his mind on what he considered bigger and better things. God's promised salvation in Christ Jesus was not mighty enough for king Ahaz and the people of Judah.

When Sinners Refuse Christ Then in Whom Do They Rejoice?

In Isaiah 8 the Lord says, they rejoiced in Rezin and Remaliah’s son; they rejoiced in man. The covenant king Ahaz made with the king of Assyria instead of trusting Christ is set before us as an example of what sinners do who refuse the waters of Shiloah that go softly. (II Kings 16: 7-9) Ahaz used the things of God unlawfully and thought salvation was his because of what he had done. He attempted to rob God's house to earn his own salvation.

Are you trying to come to God by your obedience to God's law rather than through faith in Christ who is the perfection of obedience? Then you are attempting to come to God unlawfully? Do you think that since you professed Christ you are made perfect by your obedience to the law rather than by Christ our Sanctification? Then you are using God's law unlawfully. Are you using the gospel ordinances, church membership, or the privileges of the saints to declare yourself a little more accepted of God than Christ alone? Then you are taking the unsearchable riches of God's house and using them unlawfully (Galatians 2: 16-21; 3: 1-7.) It is glorying in the strength of self while refusing Christ the Fountain of Living Waters (Jeremiah 2: 13.)

What Shall Be The End of Glorying in Self?

The Holy Spirit says in Hebrews, "See that ye refuse not him that speaketh." Ahaz and the people of Judah trusted in men, they wanted a mighty flood, a mighty river instead of the waters of Shiloah that go softly, so they got just what they wanted, and they got it at the hand of the Lord whom they refused: Isaiah 8: 7: Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks: 8: And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.

The word of comfort and assurance for the believer is this: 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. 13: Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. 14: And he shall be for a sanctuary