Last time we learned that BOOK ONE of Isaiah (chapters 1-39) is primarily about God's judgment of ALL NATIONS (including Israel and Judah). And that's no fun! BUT within God's judgment are glimmers of hope that salvation is still available to ALL NATIONS. And so ALL NATIONS can still experience God's blessings instead of His curses. So how do people obtain this salvation? The answer lies in the two extended narratives in BOOK ONE where Ahaz is contrasted with Hezekiah. So let's take a look...
THE WOE ORACLES AND AHAZ'S NARRATIVE
The story of Ahaz is part of a very well thought out literary unit. You'll notice that Chapter 5 begins a group of "Woe" (or judgment) oracles. These oracles are held together by the repeated refrain "For all THIS his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still" (5:25; 9:12, 17, 21; 10:4). This refrain indicates that in these oracles God is giving the reasons why He is going to judge His people. But these oracles are quickly interrupted in chapter 6 by the narrative of Ahaz (Isa. 6-8). The oracles then resume again in Isaiah 9:8 and continue through chapter 10. This clearly shows that the narrative about Ahaz is to be understood within the context of these judgment oracles. And as we'll shortly see, the narrative of Ahaz serves as an example for why God is judging His people...they refuse to rely on him. And, in fact, Isaiah 6 tells us that Isaiah's prophetic ministry will be met with unresponsiveness by God's chosen people (6:8-13). And so just like Ahaz, God's chosen people too will refuse to turn from their sin and self-reliance. So let's look deeper at the narrative about Ahaz...
THE NARRATIVE ABOUT AHAZ (ISAIAH 7-8)
We learn in 2 Kings 16:7 that Ahaz was a very self-reliant king. He relied on partnerships with other kings for protection rather than relying on God. In fact, he was no different from the unfaithful nation of Judah. And so Ahaz and Judah were like two alcoholics living together, they reinforced each others unfaithfulness and unholiness. This background is important to understand when evaluating Ahaz's attempt to look God-fearing in the midst of the military threat that takes center stage in the narrative of Isaiah 7.
This military threat is the first thing mentioned in Isaiah 7. Syria (Damascus) and the northern kingdom of Israel are coming to Jerusalem to wage war against Ahaz. And God really wants to help Ahaz! This is why God brings Ahaz GOOD NEWS through the prophet Isaiah (7:3-9). Isaiah essentially tells Ahaz, "God will destroy the two threatening nations of Israel and Syria and keep you safe." This good news is reinforced by the presence of Isaiah's son whose name means "A remnant will return." Isaiah's son is a positive sign from God! God is on Ahaz's side! But there is a string attached (7:9). God has demanded Ahaz to ask for a sign. This was the normal protocol for a king. When attacked, a king would FIRST approach God (usually through a prophet) and ask Him for a sign so that he would know what to do and what outcome to expect. He would also remind God of His promises with the hope of receiving a positive outcome. In this way, asking for a sign was an act of faith! But will Ahaz look to God for help or rely on his normal, man-centered tactics?
The answer comes quickly. Ahaz will not ask for a sign! Why? He does not want to test God (7:12)! Sounds pretty God-fearing eh? But Ahaz's artificial piety can't dupe God (or us). We already know all about him. He prefers self-reliance over God-reliance. He just doesn't want to trust God! But God gives Ahaz a sign anyway. It is a NEGATIVE sign instead of the positive sign he probably would have received had he obeyed God. The sign involves a virgin (a woman of marriageable age...remember Song of Songs?) who will give birth to a child and name him 'Immanuel' ("God with us"). BUT before this child reaches the age of maturity, both Syria and Israel will be annihilated thus setting the stage for Judah's imminent exile.
This raises the million dollar question: Was this sign of the virgin birth fulfilled in Ahaz's time or was it fulfilled through Jesus' birth? The answer: YES! This sign comes to fulfillment in chapter 9! The prophetess (a "virgin" in the most general sense of the term) conceives and gives birth to a son whose name (Maher-shalal-hash-baz) means "quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil". This is a fancy way of communicating that the downfall of Syria and Israel is coming soon and that all of their riches and wealth will be carried away to Assyria! But we also learn in 8:5-10 that Judah's judgment is just over the horizon as well! And so, the birth of this son begins the countdown to Syria and Israel's downfall. This downfall will come before the prophetess' child reaches maturity (8:4) just like the original prophecy had indicated (7:16).
But why is the baby not named 'Immanuel' as the original prophecy required (7:14)? Well, the baby's name (Maher-shalal-hash-baz) is an indication that GOD IS PRESENT and active in fulfilling His promises. And, in fact, the oracle in 8:5-8 makes this clear. This is why it ends with 'Immanuel' ("God with us"). But we need to remember that the Biblical authors saw Jesus as fulfilling this same prophecy even though his name wasn't 'Immanuel'. Why did they think this? Jesus' name means "God saves" and was a sign that through Jesus, GOD WAS PRESENT in bringing salvation to all people. God too is PRESENT in Isaiah's time. And so even though Syria and Israel will be defeated, Ahaz's UNFAITHFULNESS will be punished. GOD IS PRESENT!
THE NARRATIVE ABOUT HEZEKIAH (ISAIAH 36-39)
Ahaz contrasts with Hezekiah whose FAITHFULNESS was continually rewarded! Isaiah 36 almost perfectly parallels Isaiah 7. Just like Ahaz was being threatened by enemy forces so too is Hezekiah. And just like in Isaiah 7, in Isaiah 37:5-7 Isaiah gives GOOD NEWS regarding the outcome of the military threat. However, unlike with Ahaz, Hezekiah responds by seeking the Lord's favor and help! And as a result, God gives him a POSITIVE sign (37:30). A similar POSITIVE outcome results when Hezekiah is ill in Isaiah 38...God adds years to Hezekiah's life as a reward for his FAITHFULNESS! Clearly there is a night and day difference between Hezekiah and Ahaz!
THE BOTTOM LINE
So how does this speak to our lives today? Simple. We will find God's favor and blessing of salvation only after we abandon our own agenda and trust and rely on Him alone! This is what it means to make God both Master and Savior in our lives. May God be Master and Savior in your life!
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