1 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.
2 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.
3 Then said the LORD unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller’s field;
4 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.
5 Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying,
6 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:
7 Thus saith the Lord GOD, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.
8 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.
9 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.
10 Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying,
11 Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.
12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.
13 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?
14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
16 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.
17 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.
18 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.
19 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.
20 In the same day shall the Lord shave with a rasor 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.
21 And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep;
22 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.
23 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.
24 With arrows and with bows shall [men] come thither; because all the land shall become briers and thorns.
25 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.
Context and Background
Isaiah chapter 7 is set during a tumultuous period in the history of Judah, around 735-732 BCE. The chapter primarily deals with the political and military tensions between the Kingdom of Judah and the northern kingdoms of Israel and Aram (Syria). King Ahaz of Judah is facing a coalition of these two kingdoms, which threatens his reign and the stability of his kingdom.
Key Themes
- Divine Assurance: The chapter emphasizes God’s promise of protection and deliverance for Judah.
- Faith and Doubt: It explores the tension between faith in God’s promises and the fear of human circumstances.
- Messianic Prophecy: The chapter introduces the prophecy of Immanuel, which has significant implications for Christian theology.
Summary of Events
- Threat from Israel and Aram (Verses 1-2): The chapter opens with the news of the alliance between Israel and Aram, which causes King Ahaz to fear for his kingdom.
- God’s Message through Isaiah (Verses 3-9): Isaiah is sent by God to reassure Ahaz, urging him not to fear the two kings. Isaiah tells Ahaz that their plans will not succeed and that he should remain firm in his faith.
- Sign of Immanuel (Verses 10-14): God offers Ahaz a sign to confirm His promise, but Ahaz refuses to ask for one. Isaiah then declares that God Himself will provide a sign: a virgin will conceive and bear a son named Immanuel.
- Judgment and Consequences (Verses 15-25): Isaiah warns Ahaz of the impending judgment that will come upon Judah due to their lack of faith and the consequences of their political alliances.
Analysis of Key Verses
Verses 1-2: The Political Crisis
These verses set the stage for the chapter, highlighting the fear and anxiety that grips Ahaz as he faces a military threat. The mention of the “house of David” emphasizes the significance of the Davidic lineage and God’s covenant with David, which is crucial for understanding the importance of faith in God’s promises.
Verses 3-9: Assurance from God
Isaiah’s message to Ahaz reflects God’s desire to reassure His people. The command to “be careful, be quiet, do not fear” (v. 4) emphasizes the need for calmness and trust in God. The prophetic declaration that the plans of the enemies will not stand serves as a reminder of God’s sovereignty over nations.
Verses 10-14: The Sign of Immanuel
This section is pivotal, as it introduces the prophecy of Immanuel. The refusal of Ahaz to seek a sign demonstrates his lack of faith, yet God graciously provides a sign anyway. The name “Immanuel,” meaning “God with us,” signifies God’s presence with His people, a theme that resonates throughout the Bible.
Verses 15-25: Consequences of Unfaithfulness
Isaiah’s warning about the consequences of Ahaz’s unfaithfulness highlights the seriousness of turning away from God. The imagery of desolation and judgment serves as a stark reminder of the repercussions of relying on human alliances rather than trusting in God’s protection.
Theological Implications
- God’s Sovereignty: The chapter reinforces the belief that God is in control of history and will fulfill His promises.
- Faith vs. Fear: Ahaz’s struggle illustrates the human tendency to succumb to fear rather than trust in God.
- Messianic Expectation: The prophecy of Immanuel foreshadows the coming of Christ, providing a foundational text for Christian theology regarding the incarnation.
Conclusion
Isaiah chapter 7 serves as a critical reminder of the importance of faith in God’s promises amidst fear and uncertainty. The chapter’s themes of divine assurance, the consequences of unfaithfulness, and the promise of Immanuel resonate throughout both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting God’s unwavering commitment to His people.
