Welcome to Week One of a brand new series for Advent. We’re calling it “Good News of Great Joy” and it starts by taking us back to the book of Isaiah where we examine the Emmanuel songs. Hundreds of years before he came to live as one of us, God gave very specific prophecies that he would do so.
In this Advent season, we will look at these prophecies and then see their fulfillment in the birth of Jesus. This week, we’re thinking about Isaiah 7:14.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
For context (and to give us a little more to meditate on during the week), we’ll work through the entirety of Isaiah chapter seven.
Prayer guides by Tracy Lautenschlager.
Index to Days 2 through 5
Day 1
God’s Faithfulness Knows No Limits
Observe
The story opens with King Ahaz, who you might remember from our message series on 1st and 2nd Kings. Ahaz was a wicked king, one who chased after false gods and had even sacrificed his own child to Molech. As the chapter opens, Ahaz finds himself in deep trouble as neighboring kingdoms array themselves against Judah in order that they might depose Ahaz and install a puppet king in his place.
Isaiah 7:1-9
Isaiah Sent to King Ahaz
7 In the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, son of Uzziah, king of Judah, Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah the king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but could not yet mount an attack against it. 2 When the house of David was told, “Syria is in league with Ephraim,” the heart of Ahaz and the heart of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind.
3 And the Lord said to Isaiah, “Go out to meet Ahaz, you and Shear-jashub your son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer’s Field. 4 And say to him, ‘Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands, at the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and the son of Remaliah. 5 Because Syria, with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has devised evil against you, saying, 6 “Let us go up against Judah and terrify it, and let us conquer it for ourselves, and set up the son of Tabeel as king in the midst of it,” 7 thus says the Lord God:
“‘It shall not stand,
and it shall not come to pass.
8 For the head of Syria is Damascus,
and the head of Damascus is Rezin.
And within sixty-five years
Ephraim will be shattered from being a people.
9 And the head of Ephraim is Samaria,
and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah.
If you are not firm in faith,
you will not be firm at all.’”
2 Samuel 7:16
16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”
1 Kings 11:32
32 (but he shall have one tribe, for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city that I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel),
Here is a helpful map of the region showing Syria and Assyria, which were two different areas, in relation to Judah and Israel.
You can see Jerusalem, which was in Judah, and Samaria, which was the capital of Israel. To the west is Egypt, to the north is Syria and its capital Damascus, and to the northeast is Assyria and its capital Nineveh. Babylonia is off to the east but believe it or not, they’re not involved here…yet.
Israel and Syria were afraid of Egypt and Assyria (who wouldn’t be?) and decided if Ahaz and Judah weren’t going to help them, they’d conquer Judah and install their own puppet king. But God, as we read in today’s passage, reassured Ahaz that this would not take place. God was going to be faithful to the house of David and the city of David, even though the desperately wicked Ahaz was groveling before false gods and foreign powers (Ahaz was wanting Assyria to save Judah, which is a fox in the hen house situation).
God is faithful to his promises because that is his nature. No matter how far you are from him or how wicked you’ve become, his promises remain.
- Which of God’s promises do you find most comforting?
- Why do you think some believe they can go so far from God that there’s no turning back?
Father God, you have promised to keep me and protect me. My worst fear, that you would give up on me, you have already answered; as your prophet spoke to this king, you say to me “it will not happen.” What a comfort! Your people in ancient times were waiting for you, hoping for you, and they did not have your spirit indwelling to comfort and empower them. But you came to us bringing hope and salvation, and you have given us your spirit of promise. Thank you, king of my heart. Amen.
Day 2
God’s Purposes Cannot Be Stopped
Observe
In a move of astonishing graciousness, God offers Ahaz a sign. All Ahaz has to do is ask and God would prove himself. This is an opportunity for Ahaz to experience the power of the one true God firsthand and turn Judah back to the Lord. Ahaz refuses, but God gives a sign anyway.
Isaiah 7:10-16
The Sign of Immanuel
10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: 11 “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” 13 And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15 He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted.
Proverbs 19:21
21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Isaiah 46:10-11
10 declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
11 calling a bird of prey from the east,
the man of my counsel from a far country.
I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;
I have purposed, and I will do it.
God offers one chance after another after another for his people to turn from their wicked ways and come back to him. Yet they don’t. In this case, God offers to perform a sign without restrictions (“deep as Sheol or high as heaven”). There is nothing God would not do to prove himself to Ahaz and the people. Ahaz is more comfortable seeking the gods of foreign lands, however, and weakly offers the excuse that he should not put God to the test. That’s a misinterpretation of Deuteronomy 6:16, where God warns Israel not to put him to the test. In this case, God offers the sign, so it’s completely the opposite. By not asking, Ahaz disobeys.
Then God declares through Isaiah that he will offer a sign anyway. A virgin shall conceive and bear a child who shall be called Immanuel (“God with us”)! Despite having turned against him, and despite having refused one gracious offer after another to return, God will still save his people. His purpose cannot be stopped by our stubborn and willful sin.
- If you can, think of a time when you pressed forward with your plans despite ungrateful opposition from the person or persons those plans would benefit. What motivated you to do that?
- God moved forward with his plans despite the wickedness of his subjects. How should we respond to that?
Heavenly Father, perhaps I have never rejected your offer of a sign, but I have rejected teachings in your word and the prompting of your spirit. I have lived without thought of you. I’ve been stubborn and rebellious. Yet your arms remain open, and I know that you have sent good to me even in my rebellion. You do this because of your great love for me. What a gracious God you are. Soften my heart to your leading and show me your signs and wonders again. Amen.
Day 3
God Will Punish The Wicked
Observe
God gives Ahaz a dire warning concerning the outlook for himself, his family, and the people. Because of their continued wickedness, judgment would come, even as deliverance came to others through the child that was born.
Isaiah 7:17-20
17 The Lord will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father’s house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria!”
18 In that day the Lord will whistle for the fly that is at the end of the streams of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria. 19 And they will all come and settle in the steep ravines, and in the clefts of the rocks, and on all the thornbushes, and on all the pastures.
20 In that day the Lord will shave with a razor that is hired beyond the River—with the king of Assyria—the head and the hair of the feet, and it will sweep away the beard also.
1 Kings 12:16-20
The Kingdom Divided
16 And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, David.” So Israel went to their tents. 17 But Rehoboam reigned over the people of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah. 18 Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was taskmaster over the forced labor, and all Israel stoned him to death with stones. And King Rehoboam hurried to mount his chariot to flee to Jerusalem. 19 So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day. 20 And when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. There was none that followed the house of David but the tribe of Judah only.
Romans 12:17-21
17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
You don’t have to look far in this world to see unrepentant wickedness. There are those today who fiercely oppose God and it seems are becoming more bold in that opposition with each passing year. Do not seek retribution against them on God’s behalf, for he reserves to himself the right of vengeance. The righteous remnant within Judah no doubt were aghast at God’s tolerance of their king’s wickedness, but God was patient, not absent.
Eventually, however, God would bring consequences to Ahaz. Verse 17 refers to the day that Ephraim departed from Judah, which would be a reference to the day when the ten northern tribes broke away to form their own nation, a time that would have been chaotic and terrible to the people of both Israel and Judah. God says this will be as bad, if not worse, and it will come from the same place that Ahaz foolishly looked for help–Assyria. The reference to the fly and Egypt likely refers to Egypt’s vast armies, as numerous as flies. Similarly, the reference to the bee and Assyria likely refers to the severe pain inflicted by Assyrian captors. The reference to shaving may be a reference to the king of Assyria cutting people off from their land and carrying them away as captives, or it may refer to the symbolic shaving of the head and beard done to captives as a sign of reproach and servitude.
The good news is God doesn’t need us to be his police force. He can bring judgment all on his own.
- Think of a time when something filled you with a desire for vengeance. What happened?
- Why does God reserve vengeance to himself?
Dear Lord, You are righteous and holy, and I know you will cleanse this earth in judgment some day, but today I thank you for your patience. As you patiently drew me to you, I pray that you will use me as your hands and voice to bring others, for that is why you withhold judgment: so more will be saved. I pray that you will cleanse me from any tendency to judge others, for that is reserved to you. Amen.
Day 4
God Will Lead Us Home
Observe
After what was a rather dark pronouncement of doom upon Ahaz, Isaiah’s prophecy shows peace on the other side of judgment. God’s provision will be such that those passing through the judgment will have an abundance.
Isaiah 7:21-22
21 In that day a man will keep alive a young cow and two sheep, 22 and because of the abundance of milk that they give, he will eat curds, for everyone who is left in the land will eat curds and honey.
Hebrews 11:13-16
13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
1 Peter 2:11
11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
The devastation of God’s judgment on the land and people of Judah was swift and terrible. They would be defeated, carried off into captivity, and would never again be the powerful nation they once were. An agricultural society, which is fixed in place by the land they use to raise crops, would give way to pastoral living, which is at its heart nomadic.
We live on the other side of a different judgment. God’s wrath fell upon Christ on the cross and the judgment for all our sin was satisfied. We who remain are now like sheep with a shepherd. We follow him wherever he leads. This world is no longer our home, we are just passing through. One day, when God has remade the world, we will once again plant in rich soil and reap forever in that land. We will be home.
- Pastoral imagery is used in this prophecy to make us think of a nomadic existence. Do you see yourself as a nomad in this world? What does that mean to you?
- Why does the Lord not want us to put down roots, metaphorically speaking?
Father God, this picture of peace and abundance – milk and honey – seems so simplistic, even inadequate for the world in which I live, but it really is a picture of sufficiency and joy. Help me to accept with joy what comes from your hand and be satisfied. You have blessed me beyond measure; you have given salvation and life, and you promise to always guide me. Teach me to follow you, my shepherd. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
Day 5
God Will Be Our Comfort
Observe
The final imagery in this prophecy is of a land that has been so grievously treated that it (1) no longer grows crops and (2) is overrun with briers and thorns. The land has become inhospitable.
Isaiah 7:23-25
23 In that day every place where there used to be a thousand vines, worth a thousand shekels of silver, will become briers and thorns. 24 With bow and arrows a man will come there, for all the land will be briers and thorns. 25 And as for all the hills that used to be hoed with a hoe, you will not come there for fear of briers and thorns, but they will become a place where cattle are let loose and where sheep tread.
Romans 8:18-21
Future Glory
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
Romans 12:1-2
A Living Sacrifice
12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
The righteous remnant, those who passed through the judgment like Noah and his family in the ark, will not find this world to be a comfortable place. Yesterday we considered that we who are called his sheep lead a pastoral existence, following the voice of our shepherd as we look for the green pastures. Today we see perhaps an amplification of that. The land is covered in briers and thorns. We’re not comfortable here because we’re not supposed to be comfortable here. Only the hunter, equipped with a bow and arrows, come to hunt wild game, would consider it hospitable.
We often work very hard to make the world order conform to what we want it to be, when perhaps we should find that the briers and thorns keep us moving. Our discomfort here should remind us that there is a place of true comfort awaiting us, in the land where our shepherd comes from.
- What are some metaphorical “briers and thorns” that make you uncomfortable with this world?
- Not everything is a brier or thorn, there is beauty in this world also. What is something you find beautiful in this world and how do you imagine it will become better when the briers and thorns are gone?
Dear Lord, When my life is difficult, I pray to you for relief. I hope that you will smooth out the rough areas in my life or in the lives of the people I love. But I see now that those struggles lead me to you, over and over, and leave me with no one to trust except you. Even when life is peaceful, I know that it won’t last, because this broken world will never feel like home to me. Thank you, Lord, for the easy and the difficult. Thank you for walking with me through this world, and for the joy to come, your new heaven and new earth, your second Advent. Amen.