Read Isaiah 7—8

Today’s Scripture: The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

These were perilous days for the nation of Judah. Assyria was growing

stronger and threatening the smaller nations. Syria and Ephraim (the

northern kingdom) tried to pressure Judah into an alliance against Assyria, but Ahaz, king of Judah, refused to join them. Why? Because he had secretly made a treaty with Assyria (2 Kings 16:5–9).

If Ahaz had believed God’s promise, he would have broken his alliance

and called the nation to prayer and praise; but the king continued in his

unbelief. Isaiah addressed the whole “house of David” and gave the

prophecy concerning “Immanuel.”

The ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy is in our Lord Jesus Christ, who

is “God with us,” which is what Immanuel means. This “sign” also had an

immediate significance to Ahaz. A woman who was then a virgin would get married, conceive, and bear a son whose name would be Immanuel.

This son would be a reminder that God was with His people and would care for them. It is likely that this virgin was Isaiah’s second wife and that Isaiah’s second son was named both Immanuel and Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (meaning “quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil”) (see Isa. 8:1, 3).

Something to Ponder

King Ahaz’s fear of Assyria was stronger than his trust in God. Are there

any situations that shake your trust in God? If so, what are they?