Isaiah 8:22

“And they shall look unto the earth, &c.] As persons in distress, upwards and downwards, backwards and forwards, on the right hand and on the left, particularly into the land of Judea; a land that used to flow with milk and honey, a land of light, plenty, and prosperity: and behold trouble and darkness; adversity, and miseries of all kinds, expressed by a variety of words; and even words fail to express the tribulation of these times, which were such as were not from the beginning of the world, (<402422>Matthew 24:22): dimness of anguish; or “fleeing from affliction”f151, multitudes everywhere fleeing from one place to another, to avoid the calamities coming upon them, (<402416>Matthew…”

“And they shall look unto the earth - They would look upward and find no relief, and then in despair cast their eyes to the earth to obtain help there. Yet equally in vain. The whole image is one of intense anguish brought on the nation for leaving the counselor the true God. And behold ... - see the note at Isaiah 5:30. Trouble - Anguish, oppression, צרה tsârâh, from צור tsûr, to oppress, to straiten, to afflict. This is a remarkable instance of the prophet Isaiah’s manner - of a rapid, impetuous, and bold style of utterance. He accumulates images; piles words on each other; and deepens the anxiety by each additional word, until we almost feel that we are enveloped by the gloom, and see…”

“Earth - Finding no help from heaven, they turn their eyes downward, looking hither and thither for comfort. Next: Isaiah Chapter 9”

“look: Isa 5:30, Isa 9:1; Ch2 15:5, Ch2 15:6; Jer 13:16, Jer 30:6, Jer 30:7; Amo 5:18-20; Zep 1:14, Zep 1:15; Mat 8:12, Mat 24:29; Luk 21:25, Luk 21:26; Jde 1:13 driven to darkness: Job 18:18; Pro 14:32; Jer 23:12; Mat 22:13 Isaiah 8:1”