Isaiah 7:1–17 and Meaning
Isaiah 7:1–17 (ESV)
1 In the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, son of Uzziah, king of Judah, Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah, the king of Israel, came up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but could not yet mount an attack against it.
2 When the house of David was told, "Syria is in league with Ephraim," the heart of Ahaz and the heart of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind.
3 And the Lord said to Isaiah, "Go out to meet Ahaz, you and Shear-jashub your son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer's Field.
4 And say to him, 'Be careful, be quiet; do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands, at the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and the son of Remaliah.
5 Because Syria, with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has devised evil against you, saying,
6 "Let us go up against Judah and terrify it, and let us conquer it for ourselves, and set up the son of Tabeel as king in the midst of it,"
7 thus says the Lord God: "It shall not stand, and it shall not come to pass.
8 For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin. And within sixty-five years Ephraim will be shattered from being a people.
9 And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all."
10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz,
11 "Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven."
12 But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test."
13 And he said, "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also?
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
15 He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good.
16 For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted.
17 The Lord will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria."
Meaning
Isaiah 7:1–17 occurs during a critical time for the kingdom of Judah. King Ahaz faces the threat of invasion from Syria and Israel (Ephraim), which causes fear and uncertainty among the people. God instructs the prophet Isaiah to reassure Ahaz, emphasizing that the plans of his enemies will not succeed. God identifies their alliance as mere "smoldering stumps," indicating their weakness and impending doom.
God encourages Ahaz to stand firm in his faith. When Ahaz refuses to ask for a sign from God, claiming he does not want to test the Lord, Isaiah rebukes him for his lack of faith and provides a profound prophecy: the birth of a child named Immanuel, meaning "God with us." This child signifies God's presence and assurance to His people, and serves as a foreshadowing of future hope for Israel.
The prophecy implies that before the child reaches maturity, the current threats to Judah will be eliminated, highlighting God's control over the situation. The mention of the king of Assyria points to a significant turning point in the political landscape that will ultimately impact both Judah and Israel.
Moral Lesson
The moral lesson from this passage revolves around faith, trust in God's promises, and the assurance of His presence. Ahaz’s initial response to fear reflects a common human tendency to rely on personal judgment rather than divine guidance. God’s offer of a sign emphasizes His desire for His people to trust Him completely.
This passage teaches the importance of standing firm in faith, especially in times of uncertainty. Just as Ahaz was called to trust in God despite overwhelming odds, believers today are encouraged to lean on God's promises and to recognize His constant presence in their lives. The prophecy of Immanuel serves as a reminder that God is always with His people, providing comfort and hope even in the midst of turmoil.
Ultimately, this scripture encourages believers to seek God's guidance and to trust in His plan, reinforcing that faith is essential for experiencing God's peace and assurance in difficult times.
