Introduction
When faced with a crisis in life, there are several different ways to respond. One of the most common responses is the emotion of fear -- to mull over all the possible negative outcomes and become terrified by the potential for disaster.
Not many of us have ever been faced with a crisis such as the one Ahaz is facing in our text today. Ahaz was about 20 years old and probably in the first year of his reign. He ascended as king of Judah after his father died in 735 BC. And ever since his grandfather, Uzziah, died, the kingdom was in a state of great decline due in part to national enemies. Rumors were abounding, and some of them were even true. Assyria was a real threat, both to Judah as well as Aram (Syria) and Israel. But the immediate threat to Ahaz and his throne was the threat from the north, from Israel and Aram. These two nations were attempting to defeat Judah and replace Ahaz. What a dilemma for a young king with no experience in governing, let alone running a military operation.
God was well aware of the dilemma as well as the ultimate outcome. He sends Isaiah with a message urging Ahaz to consider, not the threat of men, but the Sovereign God whose plans for his people cannot be thwarted. God's call was to stand by faith or not stand at all.
Sadly, Ahaz succumbs to his natural bent and relies on human alliances rather than on the God of his fathers. He takes gold from God's temple and tries to buy protection from Assyria. What appear as the rational decision, given the relative strength of Assyria in comparison to his northern enemies, is actually human wisdom and a faithless response. And the consequences are devastating for both Ahaz as well as Judah.
This section of the Scriptures is replete with signs. Three children are mentioned, all pointing in part to God's sovereign plan. God uses these signs as warnings and encouragements. To the person whose faith is in God, the signs bring hope and assurance that God is in control. But to the faithless -- the ones whose eyes are on their own circumstances rather than God's plan -- they are signs of distress and despair.
The theme, "God with us", is a common theme throughout Scripture. Adam and Eve had unimpeded fellowship with God in the garden, prior to their rebellion. Enoch walked with God and then he was no more because God took him. Abraham walked with God, believed God, and was counted as righteous. Moses talked with God face to face as a man talks with a friend. Israel had the presence of God dwelling with them in the tabernacle and the temple that Solomon built. But the ultimate fulfillment of "God with us" was yet to come. God was foretelling a time when He would provide a way in which God's people could have intimate fellowship with him. There would be a change in man due to a work of God. God gave this sign to a godless man, Ahaz. But it was meant for those whose faith is in God. A sign which points to God's faithfulness in spite of man.
A Call to Faith (Isaiah 7:1-9)
Fear is inevitable without faith in God.
When was the last time faith, and not fear, was your first response in a
crisis?
How well are you preparing yourself for life's big crisis?
A Sign of God's Faithfulness (Isaiah 7:10-16)
God is always with His people.
What response have you made to God's fulfillment of Immanuel, God with
us?
What Scripture passages are you taking out of context to suit your
purposes?
Right Faith - Right Fear, Wrong Faith - Wrong Fear (Isaiah 7:17-8:18)
Fearing God is wise but all other fear is misdirected.
God is the unavoidable Reality that all men must reckon with.
How have you experienced God's hand of protection during a time of
danger?
How well are you doing at avoiding conspiracy theories and the fears that
those around you fear?
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