Christmas in Isaiah, Part 1

Introduction

This morning we are continuing our Christmas Series looking for Jesus in the Old Testament.

This morning we come to one of the most “famous” references in the book of Isaiah. If you have your Bibles, you might want to go ahead and turn to Isaiah chapter 7. We will actually begin with verse 10, but to understand what is going on we have to have a little bit of a history lesson.

This prophecy in Isaiah is a “double” prophecy. That means that it was a prophecy that was fulfilled in the day that it was given. But it also has a “not yet” quality—meaning that it was a prophecy for the distant future.

This double meaning idea, causes a lot of people to have trouble understanding the prophetic texts.

Ahaz

This prophecy was written in the time period of King Ahaz.

Ahaz was about 20 years old when he began his rule over Judah, and reigned for about 16 years. In 2 Kings 16:1 we have the beginning of his reign, and from the Biblical texts and extra biblical texts the dates are narrowed down to between 734—715 BC.

Ahaz lived during the prophetic reigns of three prophets: Hosea, Micah, and Isaiah.

The biblical writers (both historical writers, and prophetic writers) portray Ahaz as an evil, wicked, idolatrous ruler.

Specifically, he failed to listen to God’s warnings. This led to God’s judgment being carried out on Judah.

When Ahaz took the throne he faced several serious military and political threats.

—The Neo-Assyrian Empire of Mesopotamia. Particularly Tiglath-Pileser III (called Pul in 2 Kings 15:19).

—Two northern kings of the northern kings. The king Rezin the king of Syria and later Pekah the king of the Israel (the northern kingdom). The both worked to form an alliance with to take a stand against the Assyrian expansion.

—We should note that Ahaz was a co-regent with Rezin and Pekah, who tried to pressure him to join their coalition with the threat of military occupation.

Isaiah notes that Rezin and Pekah had planed to replace Ahaz with an unknown ruler called the “son of Tabeel” who was loyal to their anti-Assyrian views (Isa. 7:6).

Ahaz, Evil—Hezekiah & Josiah, Good

Isaiah’s Prophecy

We have already established that Ahaz faced military opposition from Rezin of Aram (Syria), and Pekah the king of Israel (the northern kingdom)

In Isaiah 7:1 we read:

Isaiah 7:1 NIV

When Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem, but they could not overpower it.

In this context, Isaiah goes to Ahaz and basically says stay calm and trust!

Isaiah 7:4 NIV

Say to him, ‘Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah.

In his first Prophecy, Isaiah tells Ahaz that it will not happen. They will not be able to overtake him! In fact within 65 years, both of them will be shattered and no longer a threat!

Ask for a Sign!

Ahaz is then told by God to ask God for a sign that would prove the prophecy’s reliability.

Isaiah 7:10–11 NIV

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”

God tells Ahaz to ask for proof—a sign.

But Ahaz’ response sounds good.

Isaiah 7:12 NIV

But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”

On the surface this looks like a good response—I won’t test God. It even seems to align with the command in Deuteronomy 6:16.

But it isn’t—the reality is that Ahaz doesn’t believe Isaiah, and as a result he doesn’t believe God. , and refuses to see any evidence that God might give!

Ahaz’s refusal is met with protest by Isaiah and ultimately by God.

Isaiah’s Response

Isaiah 7:13 NIV

Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also?

It’s bad enough that Ahaz would test the patience of Isaiah.

But it is really bad, when he tests the patience of God!

God Response!

Isaiah 7:14 NIV

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

God will prove Himself to Ahaz and Judah. The “you” is plural.

A virgin—this is the Hebrew word almah and is use of a girl that although she is unmarried, she is of age to be married. In the Old Testament it is never used of a married woman.

When this woman gives birth, she will call him “Immanuel”— “God [is] with us.” This verse that is the part of the prophecy that has been used identified as a messianic prophecy, because it was repeated in Matthew 1:23.

Matthew 1:23 NIV

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Interpretation

There are at least three possible ways of interpreting this prophecy.

The first view says that a boy was conceived shortly after Isaiah spoke. A young woman, a virgin, married and then had a baby.

The second view says that this prediction is exclusively messianic and was only fulfilled in Jesus’ birth.

The third view combines both 1 & 2. So a virgin (when the prophecy was made) married and gave birth to a baby boy. There are several suggestions of who this child could be. Some say it may have been Isaiah’s son own son, Maher-shalal-hash-baz.

Others have suggested that it might have been Ahaz’s own son Hezekiah.

Obviously it could have been another child that we don’t even know about.

While verse 15 isn’t identified as part of the Messianic prophecy, part of it actually fits.

Isaiah 7:15 NIV

He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right,

Curds—was a thick sower milk.

Honey—is exactly what you think it means, the stuff that comes from bees.

This was the food of poor people as opposed to bread and wine.

In Isaiah 53:2 we’re told that there was nothing in Jesus’ appearance that would suggest that he was a king or the Son of God.

Isaiah 53:2 NIV

He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

So What

Jesus has never been like people expected him to be. The people in Jesus day were looking for a Messiah that would deliver them from the hand of the Romans! They wanted the Messiah to come and take the reigns of the nation. And they were looking for a Messiah that would supernaturally restore Israel into a political and military power house. But instead, Jesus came with a vastly different message that taught us that we need to love those around us, and that it should be what His followers are known by!

Even today, the salvation that Jesus brought mankind is too simple for many people. They salvation should be something we do, but it’s not—it’s all about God. It is and always has been a beautiful picture of God’s love for us.

Paul captured this idea in Romans chapter 5. Look at verse 8.

Romans 5:8 NIV

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

What an amazing demonstration. God loved us so much that He sent Jesus to die for us, when we had NOTHING to offer Him.

Honestly, our salvation as NOTHING to do with us! Look at verse 9.

Romans 5:9–10 NIV

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Paul reminds us that it really is ALL about God! “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” God with us!