In these verses, God continues to speak to Ahaz and offers a sign to him. What can we learn from this section of Scripture?
(A) God’s offer and Ahaz’s rejection (Isa 7:10-12)
We pick up our study today in Isa 7:10. While we are not sure what the time lapse is between Isa 7:9 and Isa 7:10, we can however, see clearly that God is the one who is initiating a conversation here (through Isaiah). God seems to be giving Ahaz a blank cheque and told him to ask of a sign of God (Isa 7:10).
A sign-based faith is not a healthy faith, but God was willing to reach him and meet him. He was also giving Ahaz a chance to admit his own faithlessness and to seek God’s help to trust in Him. In just this one verse, we see the patience of God. In His first warning in Isa 7:7-9, He had already assured Ahaz that these 2 nations are but firebrands. God is being very patient with this Davidic king, who should have known the promises of God. This is a God who is eager to reveal Himself to His people, so as to strengthen their faith in Him.
But what was Ahaz’s reply to God’s offer? His reply was couched in fake piety as he rejected God’s offer (Isa 7:12). In doing so, he was also accusing God of not being sincere in this offer.
Earlier in the OT, in Jud 6:36-37, God was calling Gideon to step up and lead and Gideon goes on to ask God for 2 signs. He asked for confirmation signs from the Lord, not because he did not believe in God, but he asked so as to be absolutely certain that he is walking in the will of God. Seeking a sign was an expression of committing to his faith in God and God graciously grants Gideon a sign. In contrast, Ahaz’s rejection of God’s permission revealed heart that is unwilling to trust God and wilfully unbelieving.
Have we hardened our hearts? Where have we refused to see His compelling truths? See that He is indeed God and is patient and kind. He is keen to strengthen our faith in Him.
(B) A sign for present hope, fulfilled in time to come (Isa 7:13-17)
There is a difference in the way God is referred to in Isa 7:10 vs Isa 7:13 — “your God” (Isa 7:10) vs “my God” (Isa 7:13). Isaiah in Isa 7:10, has the same God as Ahaz, but in Isa 7:13, speaks of God personally, separate from Ahaz. In Isa 7:13, Isaiah also addresses the “house of David” and this house has not lived up to the divine expectations. Furthermore, Ahaz tried Isaiah’s patience, and as if that was not enough, was also trying God’s patience too (c.f. “weary my God also” (Isa 7:13)).
Since Ahaz would not ask for a sign, God gives him a sign. There will be a virgin-born son who will be called Immanuel (Isa 7:14). In his life, there will be a desertion of the land whose 2 kings Ahaz dread (Isa 7:16). This sign will come to pass “before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good”, i.e, before he knows right from wrong and matures (Isa 7:15). The date is intentionally vague but we are meant to think that it will come soon. History will tell us that the capital of these cities fall in the next 3 and 13 years.
Isaiah doesn't tell us how this is partially fulfilled in his day. Some think that Hezekiah is that promised child but he would have already been born by the time Isaiah was written. Some think that an unnamed child and virgin would have existed, but if Isaiah and Ahaz didn’t know, that’s not really a sign. Furthermore, it has to be something that happened in Isaiah’s and Ahaz’s time for it was a sign for him. Thus, it is likely that this was fulfilled in Isa 8:3, at least partially. For God’s people, this partial fulfilment is a sign of hope, and reminder that God is true to His word and will defend them according to what He has previously promised.
In isa 7:17, we read that God will use the king of Assyria to carry out His own punishment. God’s judgment is on par with the schism in Israel (what Isa 7:17 is referring to). This is ironic because in the OT, we also read parallel accounts of how Ahaz sought his security by turning to the Assyrian kings. In 2 Ki 16:5-8, Ahaz turned to seek the help of the Assyrian kings and took the silver and gold found in God’s temple to pay the king of Assyria. This was not an alliance, for he took God’s resources to buy security and safety and was selling away his identity essentially.
Similarly, we read in 2 Sam 7:13-14 that Instead of living in his identity, Ahaz gives it up. He gives up his identity as a David king and goes to the Assyrian king for security and comfort instead! He says to Assyria, “I am your son” and exchanges God’s promises for something he could hold and see. Thus it is with great irony that we will learn that God will use these very kings to bring about God’s judgment.
What are we trusting in today? Seeking safety in the resources and power of the world is not the path to true safety. Leaning our full weight on things that are not meant to bear our weight will lead to calamity, because these things were not meant to bear our weight!
(C)The fourfold devastation of Judah (Isa 7:18-25)
In Isa 7:18-25, we read of a series of events that will affect the land and the people. Isa 7:18-19 shows how the land will be invaded and destroyed. The fly and the bee mentioned in these verses refer to the armies of both nations, hence God will call them and summon them to destroy Judah. God’s sovereignty extends to Him just whistling for them. These armies will swarm the land and even invade the places that are hard to reach — ravines, clefts etc. Everywhere is taken over by the enemy.
The people are humiliated (Isa 7:20). The description of shorn heads and beards is a picture of complete and absolute humiliation, disgrace and shame. Not only that. We also see how the people are few and impoverished (Isa 7:21-22). The “young cow and two sheep” are being reared just to keep them alive, indicating that even keeping them alive is a struggle. The supply of milk seems to exceed the demand because there are few people, and they are impoverished (c.f. “abundance of milk”, Isa 7:22). The people are left feeding on curds and honey, the typical survival food,
Lastly, we see how the land deteriorated (Isa 7:23-25). The land was meant to be abundant and used for agricultural purposes but now appears desolate. Once cultivated and profitable vineyards are now barren! Hills once terraced for careful farming are now given over to livestock that roam without restrain.
The king’s actions lead to either the welfare or the suffering of the people. The first partial fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy will bring about hope as they wipe away their immediate threat, but the people of the land will still reel from the consequences of Ahaz’s sin.
So what can Judah really look forward to? They would be looking forward to a perfect king that will rule over them well.
Today, our gravest enemy is not physical or psychological oppression. It is not the oppression of self-expression. Rather, we face the deadly alliance of sin and death that will never go away if God doesn’t do anything about it. We need someone to step into our world to save us from our slavery ti sin and death. God promises to bring us out of our helplessness, which He eventually did in Christ.
In Matt 1:18-25, we read of the Son of God that did not sell away and throw away His Sonship but instead took it on and obeyed His Father. If you have no received Him, would you not hear this If you have received Him, would you not trust in Him for He has already saved you?