Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall He eat, that He may know to refuse the evil and choose the good. (Isa 7:14-15)
Isaiah 7:14 is probably the best-known prophecy concerning the birth of the Messiah. Yet what feeds my soul this morning are the preceding verses. What the "therefore" is there for.
Here in Isaiah chapter seven, we find King Ahaz and the city of Jerusalem besieged. Scripture tells us, "the king and people shook like forest trees shaking in the wind."
Now before you feel too sorry for King Ahaz the backstory here, given to us in 2 Ch 28:5, is that they were in this situation because of their sin. They had forsaken the Lord their God and God, in His sovereignty, had given them over to their enemies.
King Ahaz was a wicked man. Yet he was of the house of David and as such, an heir to the Promise.
So here it is in the preceding verses of Isaiah seven that we see not only the foretelling of God's grace and mercy to mankind but we witness His grace and mercy to one, wicked, individual.
God sends the prophet Isaiah to encourage King Ahaz. He tells him that those who have laid siege to Jerusalem will never rule. He tells the quaking king, "Have firm faith, or you will fail to stand firm."
This is God's mercy on King Ahaz and the kingdom of Judah.
But God doesn't stop there. God also extends grace to the king.
Remember, King Ahaz had forsaken God. Instead of serving and trusting in the Lord, he worships idols and other gods. He relies on the strength of man to help him rather than the Lord. God knows this. He knows Ahaz has no faith to believe in the prophecy.
So God goes beyond mercy and graciously offers King Ahaz confirmation of the prophecy by a sign of the king's choosing. How does the King respond?
He rudely refuses God's offer! He would rather persist in his unbelief that be beholden to God.
God reveals His plan to save all of mankind to a faithless, rebellious king in the midst of a besieged city. Seems a bit odd, doesn't it? A bit pathetic maybe? What's the point?
God. God is the point. God's character, the truth of Who He IS.
This is what speaks to my soul this morning.
His immeasurable grace and mercy. His sovereignty over all.
It is revealed in this passage of scripture as He looks down from heaven on His city, Jerusalem. Besieged because of sin.
It is revealed 700 years later as He looks down from heaven on a lowly manger in Bethlehem.
It is revealed today as He looks down from heaven and continues to extend His grace to a world still besieged by sin, content to persist in their unbelief.
It will be revealed one day soon when He comes down from heaven to rule and reign in Glory.
Let us sit quietly, savoring these truths and cherishing Him as we wait.
Shalom,
The entire series:
A Season in Scripture I
A Season in Scripture II
A Season in Scripture III
A Season in Scripture IV
A Season in Scripture V
Sharing inspiration here:
Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,
Faith On Fire, Grace & Truth,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty
Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments, Heart Encouragement
#DanceWithJesus
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If you read something here that inspired you, I’d love to hear about it. Please know I appreciate every comment! Thanks so much for stopping by! Blessings, June