36b Isaiah’s Prophecies About a Messiah [Isaiah 7:10–17]
The Bible passage: [Isaiah 7:10–17]
The Story:
When Ahaz, the grandson of Uzziah, was king of Judah, the kings of Aram and Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem, but they could not overpower it.
The hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, much like the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind.
The Lord said to Isaiah, “Go out and meet Ahaz. Tell him, ‘Keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood. They are thinking they will invade Judah and tear it apart, but the Lord says this is not going to happen. If you don’t stand firm in your faith, you won’t stand at all.’”
Then the Lord spoke again to Ahaz, “Ask for a sign from the Lord your God – anything from the depths of the grave to the heights of heaven.”
But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask for a sign. I will not test the Lord.”
Isaiah said, “Listen, house of David! Isn’t it enough for you to try men’s patience? Do you also have to try the patience of God? The Lord Himself is going to give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel. By the time he learns to reject evil and choose good, the land of the two kings you are so afraid of will be abandoned. The Lord will bring better times on you, your people, and the house of your father.”
The Lessons:
- Isaiah tells about the Messiah, though he doesn’t actually use that term.
- Aram was in current day Syria. Both Aram and the northern Kingdom or Israel were overrun by Assyria and no longer exist.
- Ahaz was afraid of the other kings because he lacked faith in God.
- The prophecy of Immanuel was fulfilled in Jesus. See [Matthew 1:18-25]. The name Immanuel in Hebrew translates as “God with us.” Jesus was God who came to the earth in human form. You will be reading more about this later.
Next: 36c The Suffering Servant [Isaiah 52:13—53:12]
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