And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.
And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.
Then said the Lord unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shear–jashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller’s field;
And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.
Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying,
Let us go up against Judah, and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst of it, even the son of Tabeal:
Thus saith the Lord God, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.
For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people.
And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.
Moreover the Lord spake again unto Ahaz, saying,
Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.
But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord.
And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.
The Lord shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father’s house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah; even the king of Assyria.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all thorns, and upon all bushes.
In the same day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is hired, namely, by them beyond the river, by the king of Assyria, the head, and the hair of the feet: and it shall also consume the beard.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep;
And it shall come to pass, for the abundance of milk that they shall give he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, it shall even be for briers and thorns.
With arrows and with bows shall men come thither; because all the land shall become briers and thorns.
And on all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns: but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle.
Isaiah 7 finds Judah's King Ahaz caught in a web of political intrigue and crippling fear. The chapter unfolds against the backdrop of Isaiah's prophetic ministry, following his commission described in Isaiah 6. It is a powerful narrative of divine promise, human unbelief, and the far-reaching consequences of both. Understanding the historical context and the layers of meaning within this chapter is key to unlocking its profound message for us today.
Historical Setting: A Kingdom Under Threat (Isaiah 7:1-2)
The events of Isaiah 7 take place during the reign of Ahaz, son of Jotham and grandson of Uzziah (Isaiah 7:1). The northern kingdom of Israel, along with Syria (also known as Aram), have formed an alliance with the intent to depose Ahaz and install a king of their choosing. Their motivation stemmed from Ahaz's loyalty to Assyria, a rising power in the east that both Israel and Syria feared. They hoped to neutralize Judah before Assyria could launch its attack, thus avoiding a two-front war.
The news of this alliance sends a wave of terror through Jerusalem: "the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as trees of the forest are shaken by the wind" (Isaiah 7:2). This fear is palpable, highlighting the vulnerability of Judah and the seemingly overwhelming odds they face. It is in this moment of national crisis that God sends Isaiah with a message of hope and a challenge to faith.
A Word of Comfort and a Call to Faith (Isaiah 7:3-9)
God instructs Isaiah to seek out Ahaz near the aqueduct, a location where the king was likely inspecting Jerusalem's water supply in anticipation of a siege (Isaiah 7:3). Isaiah, accompanied by his son Shear-Jashub ("a remnant shall return"), delivers a powerful message from the Lord: "Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid" (Isaiah 7:4). He assures Ahaz that the threat posed by Israel and Syria is ultimately insignificant. In fact, Isaiah prophesies that within 65 years, Ephraim (another name for Israel) will be shattered as a people (Isaiah 7:8).
The Lord doesn't merely offer empty assurances. He invites Ahaz to ask for a sign, any sign, to confirm the truth of His word (Isaiah 7:10-11). This is an extraordinary offer, a direct invitation to test God's faithfulness. However, Ahaz, cloaking his unbelief in pious language, refuses: "I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test" (Isaiah 7:12).
Ahaz's refusal is not a display of reverence, but a manifestation of deep-seated distrust. As Isaiah rebukes him, "Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also?" (Isaiah 7:13). Ahaz's lack of faith is not only foolish but offensive to God. God makes it clear that a lack of faith in Him will lead to downfall, for God made it clear: "If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all" (Isaiah 7:9). Those are words we all need to hear.
The Sign of Immanuel: A Prophecy with Multiple Layers (Isaiah 7:14-16)
Despite Ahaz's unbelief, God, in His grace, provides a sign anyway: "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). This prophecy is one of the most significant and debated passages in the Old Testament.
The name "Immanuel" means "God with us," signifying God's presence and protection. While this prophecy ultimately finds its complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ, as Matthew affirms (Matthew 1:22-23), it also likely had a more immediate significance for Ahaz and his contemporaries.
Many scholars believe that the "virgin" (Hebrew: almah) in this context refers to a young woman of marriageable age. The birth of this child, whoever he may have been in the immediate context (possibly Isaiah's son, Maher-shalal-hash-baz, Isaiah 8:3), served as a sign that God's promise of deliverance from Israel and Syria would be fulfilled in a short time. Before the child reached an age of moral discernment, the lands of those two kings would be deserted (Isaiah 7:16). This indeed came to pass within a few years when Assyria crushed Aram.
The significance of Immanuel, even in its immediate context, points to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with David. Even amidst the political turmoil and Ahaz's faithlessness, God had not abandoned His promise to establish a lasting kingdom through David's line (2 Samuel 7:1-17).
Judgment and Desolation: The Consequences of Unbelief (Isaiah 7:17-25)
While the immediate threat from Israel and Syria would be removed, Isaiah makes it clear that Judah's troubles are far from over. The Lord will use Assyria, the very nation Ahaz was relying on, as an instrument of judgment. The days that are coming will be unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah (Isaiah 7:17).
Isaiah vividly describes the desolation that will befall Judah. The Lord will summon swarms of insects (representing invading armies) from Egypt and Assyria (Isaiah 7:18-19). Assyria, likened to a razor, will shave off Judah's hair, a symbol of utter humiliation and defeat (Isaiah 7:20). The land will become desolate, reverting to a semi-nomadic existence where curds and honey are the staple diet (Isaiah 7:15, 21-22). Vineyards will be overgrown with thorns and briers, and the people will be forced to hunt and herd for survival (Isaiah 7:23-25).
This grim picture is a direct consequence of Ahaz's lack of faith and his reliance on foreign powers rather than on God. As 2 Kings 16:7-14 reveals, Ahaz even plundered the temple to pay tribute to the Assyrian king and introduced pagan altars into Jerusalem, further provoking God's anger.
Lessons for Today
Isaiah 7 is a powerful reminder of the importance of faith in the face of fear and uncertainty. Ahaz's story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unbelief and the devastating consequences of turning away from God.
The prophecy of Immanuel, with its multiple layers of meaning, points to God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises. Whether we are facing personal challenges or navigating complex global events, we can find hope and assurance in the knowledge that God is with us.
This chapter challenges us to examine our own hearts:
- Do we trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem bleak?
- Are we willing to ask for and recognize God's signs in our lives?
- Do we rely on our own strength and wisdom, or do we seek God's guidance and provision?
By learning from the mistakes of Ahaz and embracing the promise of Immanuel, we can stand firm in our faith and experience the blessings of God's presence in our lives.
And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.
And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.
Then said the Lord unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shear–jashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller’s field;
And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.
Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying,
Let us go up against Judah, and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst of it, even the son of Tabeal:
Thus saith the Lord God, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.
For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people.
And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.
Moreover the Lord spake again unto Ahaz, saying,
Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.
But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord.
And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.
The Lord shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father’s house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah; even the king of Assyria.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all thorns, and upon all bushes.
In the same day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is hired, namely, by them beyond the river, by the king of Assyria, the head, and the hair of the feet: and it shall also consume the beard.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep;
And it shall come to pass, for the abundance of milk that they shall give he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, it shall even be for briers and thorns.
With arrows and with bows shall men come thither; because all the land shall become briers and thorns.
And on all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns: but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle.
Isaiah 7 finds Judah's King Ahaz caught in a web of political intrigue and crippling fear. The chapter unfolds against the backdrop of Isaiah's prophetic ministry, following his commission described in Isaiah 6. It is a powerful narrative of divine promise, human unbelief, and the far-reaching consequences of both. Understanding the historical context and the layers of meaning within this chapter is key to unlocking its profound message for us today.
Historical Setting: A Kingdom Under Threat (Isaiah 7:1-2)
The events of Isaiah 7 take place during the reign of Ahaz, son of Jotham and grandson of Uzziah (Isaiah 7:1). The northern kingdom of Israel, along with Syria (also known as Aram), have formed an alliance with the intent to depose Ahaz and install a king of their choosing. Their motivation stemmed from Ahaz's loyalty to Assyria, a rising power in the east that both Israel and Syria feared. They hoped to neutralize Judah before Assyria could launch its attack, thus avoiding a two-front war.
The news of this alliance sends a wave of terror through Jerusalem: "the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as trees of the forest are shaken by the wind" (Isaiah 7:2). This fear is palpable, highlighting the vulnerability of Judah and the seemingly overwhelming odds they face. It is in this moment of national crisis that God sends Isaiah with a message of hope and a challenge to faith.
A Word of Comfort and a Call to Faith (Isaiah 7:3-9)
God instructs Isaiah to seek out Ahaz near the aqueduct, a location where the king was likely inspecting Jerusalem's water supply in anticipation of a siege (Isaiah 7:3). Isaiah, accompanied by his son Shear-Jashub ("a remnant shall return"), delivers a powerful message from the Lord: "Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid" (Isaiah 7:4). He assures Ahaz that the threat posed by Israel and Syria is ultimately insignificant. In fact, Isaiah prophesies that within 65 years, Ephraim (another name for Israel) will be shattered as a people (Isaiah 7:8).
The Lord doesn't merely offer empty assurances. He invites Ahaz to ask for a sign, any sign, to confirm the truth of His word (Isaiah 7:10-11). This is an extraordinary offer, a direct invitation to test God's faithfulness. However, Ahaz, cloaking his unbelief in pious language, refuses: "I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test" (Isaiah 7:12).
Ahaz's refusal is not a display of reverence, but a manifestation of deep-seated distrust. As Isaiah rebukes him, "Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also?" (Isaiah 7:13). Ahaz's lack of faith is not only foolish but offensive to God. God makes it clear that a lack of faith in Him will lead to downfall, for God made it clear: "If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all" (Isaiah 7:9). Those are words we all need to hear.
The Sign of Immanuel: A Prophecy with Multiple Layers (Isaiah 7:14-16)
Despite Ahaz's unbelief, God, in His grace, provides a sign anyway: "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). This prophecy is one of the most significant and debated passages in the Old Testament.
The name "Immanuel" means "God with us," signifying God's presence and protection. While this prophecy ultimately finds its complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ, as Matthew affirms (Matthew 1:22-23), it also likely had a more immediate significance for Ahaz and his contemporaries.
Many scholars believe that the "virgin" (Hebrew: almah) in this context refers to a young woman of marriageable age. The birth of this child, whoever he may have been in the immediate context (possibly Isaiah's son, Maher-shalal-hash-baz, Isaiah 8:3), served as a sign that God's promise of deliverance from Israel and Syria would be fulfilled in a short time. Before the child reached an age of moral discernment, the lands of those two kings would be deserted (Isaiah 7:16). This indeed came to pass within a few years when Assyria crushed Aram.
The significance of Immanuel, even in its immediate context, points to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with David. Even amidst the political turmoil and Ahaz's faithlessness, God had not abandoned His promise to establish a lasting kingdom through David's line (2 Samuel 7:1-17).
Judgment and Desolation: The Consequences of Unbelief (Isaiah 7:17-25)
While the immediate threat from Israel and Syria would be removed, Isaiah makes it clear that Judah's troubles are far from over. The Lord will use Assyria, the very nation Ahaz was relying on, as an instrument of judgment. The days that are coming will be unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah (Isaiah 7:17).
Isaiah vividly describes the desolation that will befall Judah. The Lord will summon swarms of insects (representing invading armies) from Egypt and Assyria (Isaiah 7:18-19). Assyria, likened to a razor, will shave off Judah's hair, a symbol of utter humiliation and defeat (Isaiah 7:20). The land will become desolate, reverting to a semi-nomadic existence where curds and honey are the staple diet (Isaiah 7:15, 21-22). Vineyards will be overgrown with thorns and briers, and the people will be forced to hunt and herd for survival (Isaiah 7:23-25).
This grim picture is a direct consequence of Ahaz's lack of faith and his reliance on foreign powers rather than on God. As 2 Kings 16:7-14 reveals, Ahaz even plundered the temple to pay tribute to the Assyrian king and introduced pagan altars into Jerusalem, further provoking God's anger.
Lessons for Today
Isaiah 7 is a powerful reminder of the importance of faith in the face of fear and uncertainty. Ahaz's story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unbelief and the devastating consequences of turning away from God.
The prophecy of Immanuel, with its multiple layers of meaning, points to God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises. Whether we are facing personal challenges or navigating complex global events, we can find hope and assurance in the knowledge that God is with us.
This chapter challenges us to examine our own hearts:
- Do we trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem bleak?
- Are we willing to ask for and recognize God's signs in our lives?
- Do we rely on our own strength and wisdom, or do we seek God's guidance and provision?
By learning from the mistakes of Ahaz and embracing the promise of Immanuel, we can stand firm in our faith and experience the blessings of God's presence in our lives.