Isaiah 7:14--God's Mercy

One of the most beautiful things about biblical prophecy is how it can speak to two situations at once. There is always an immediate situation addressed by the prophet. But often there is a deeper, longer-range significance to his or her words buried beneath the surface.

Isaiah 7 describes such a situation. The immediate circumstance is a growing threat to the southern kingdom (Judah) by an alliance of the northern kingdom (Ephraim or Israel) and Aram (Syria).

Ahaz is king of Judah, and he’s scared. Verse 2 says he and the people were shaken like trees in the wind. But the impending defeat they dread is an illusion. God has other plans. He definitively states, “It will not happen.”

Ahaz doesn’t believe it. In order to deal with this threat (we learn elsewhere in the Bible) Ahaz plans to strike up an alliance with Assyria. This is always a bad idea for God’s people. God takes personal offense when his people seek solutions in human power rather than in him.

So Isaiah tries to save the situation: “Ask for a sign,” he says. “God wants to give you a sign of his power and plans on your behalf.” Ahaz refuses.

So God gives a sign anyway. He says, “A virgin will have a child named Immanuel, and before he’s even old enough to be held accountable for his own moral choices, Israel and Aram will be no more.” That’s the good news; but there’s more: “Those two nations will be destroyed by Assyria, which will park on your doorstep bringing greater fear than you feel now!”

In other words, Isaiah 7:14 was originally a prophecy of judgment. God was coming to judge his unbelieving people.

But there’s a deeper significance, which of course has to do with Christmas. One day 700 years into the future, when God’s people were already overrun by a greater power (Rome) and were already living in darkness and dread, the virgin would give birth to the True Immanuel, Jesus. And then he would come not to judge but to save.

Because God’s mercy triumphs over judgment.
Because God’s perfect love casts out fear.
Because God’s ultimate purpose is not to condemn but justify.

Merry Christmas!

Posted by Greg