Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask the Lord
your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths of in the highest heights.”
But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”
Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to
try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore
the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth
to a son, and will call him Immanuel. He will be eating curds and honey when he
knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, for before the boy knows
enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you
dread will be laid waste. The Lord
will bring on you and your people and on the house of your father a time unlike
any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria.
At this point in time, Ahaz was king of the Southern Kingdom
of Judah, and the Northern Kingdom of Israel was just a few years away from
being conquered by the Assyrians. Right before this passage occurs, we find
that the King of Aram and King of Israel have joined forces to attack Judah.
Needless to say, things were not going well. Isaiah was then sent to Ahaz to
comfort him with the news from God that this plot to destroy Judah would not
come to pass, but that both Damascus (capital of the Arameans) and Samaria
(capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel) would be destroyed soon.
Then God, to show his faithfulness, told Ahaz to test Him in
this and ask for a sign. Ahaz refused, so God gave him the sign of a virgin,
conceiving and giving birth to a child who would be called Immanuel, “God with
us.” When we hear these verses, we often completely miss the original context
because we jump to Matthew 1:18-25 where Joseph is visited by an angel in a
dream. The angel commands him to take Mary has his wife and to name the child
within her Jesus. Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua which means “The Lord saves.”
For Ahaz and the people of Judah at the time of this
prophecy though, this sign brought great hope and comfort, especially in light
of Isaiah 7:17-25 (details the trials Judah will face in the coming years – not
a pretty picture). God’s people have been crying out for centuries for His
presence. During the Exodus, the people got nervous that God and Moses had left
them so they made idols – physical reminders of God to give them comfort, and
to make worship easier (Exodus 32). During the time of the Judges, the people
drifted from God, then cried out to Him, “Where are you?! We need you!” God
would then save and deliver them, but the people again would drift from Him
because they didn’t understand how to serve an invisible God. Psalm 42 cries
out to God, longing for His presence, and for a real and intimate connection
with the Creator.
All these people and so many more throughout history have
all asked, “God, where are you? Will you be here?” To Ahaz, God says, “Yes. I
will be with you. I will not forsake or abandon you through all the trials and
hardships you are about to endure.” The Immanuel sign assures the king that God
will overcome the immediate threat. It is quite likely that there was a young
woman in the royal household, who conceived and gave birth to a child and named
him Immanuel during Ahaz’ time. This young woman did not experience the
Immaculate Conception as Mary does in Matthew 18:1 or Luke 1:26-38, but her
child served as a constant reminder to Ahaz that God was faithful and would be
present with his people in times of trouble.
Approximately 700 years later, another young woman found
herself to be with child, miraculously. Things haven’t changed too much since
Ahaz’ time. The people continue cry out to God to deliver them from their
Gentile overlords. There was an air of doubt about what God could and would do
for His people. And then God came, and lived among his people. He took on physical
form so that He could deliver His people from their spiritual bondage and sin.
Once delivered, they could once again feel his presence, know His law, and
enjoy a covenantal relationship with Him.
And the Word become flesh, and made his dwelling among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son,
who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14
Immanuel still is a sign of hope for us. Jesus came, and
then he sent the Holy Spirit to indwell us so that we might always know God’s
presence and truth. It all started with a promise that God would be with us.
God has made good on that promise to us, so let us rejoice and honor Him and
His purposes, for He is great and greatly to be praised!
Over the next few days I would encourage you all to spend
time in prayer praising God, and remembering all He has done for us: he has
saved us, provided for us, redeemed us, given us a new calling and purpose, and
that his presence is always with us. Hallelujah!
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