Isaiah's Prophecy

Introduction

Getting married. If you want people to come to your wedding, you are going to need to plan.

God Promises a Child

God makes a promise that a child will be born of a virgin and will be called Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:10–14 ESV

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah

What’s happening here?

Verse 1-2 Assyria is growing stronger and threatening other nations. Israel and Syria joined forces and wants Judah to join. Ahaz is actually bargaining with Assyria to protect him.

Ahaz failed to trust God and this failure

Verses 3-9 God sends Isaiah to meet the king. Isaiah give the king a message of hope: Don’t worry about Syria and Israel, they will be defeated in 65 years. It came true as Assyria defeated Syria in 732 and Israel in 721.

But Ahaz failure to trust God brings Assyria. In face, his unbelief in God destabilized everything for him, not just his religious life. Ahaz, is the heir to David’s thrown, but has put his firm faith in the King of Assyria and he has given gold from the temple of God to the Assyrians, to induce them to attack Syria. Ahaz places his hope for salvation in human power rather than in the Lord.

That brings us to verse 10 to 14

Isaiah 7:10–14 ESV

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Think about it: If you could ask God for any sign. To know that what he is promising is true, what would it be?

Think about it: If you could ask God for any sign. To know that what he is promising is true, what would it be?

Verses 10-11 This takes place during the reign of Ahaz, who continually did evil in the sight of the Lord. (See .)

Think about it: If you could ask God for any sign. To know that what he is promising is true, what would it be?

Verse 12 - 13 Ahaz was given that opportunity. He fakes being pious by refusing the sign. This is shown in how he actually doesn’t trust God to deliver, his still putting his faith in Assyria. In fact, his unbelief in God destabilized everything for Ahaz, not just his religious life. God calls Ahaz and all of his people to put their firm faith in a far more reliable ally: “the Lord himself.” Vs. 14. But Ahaz refuses to ask for a sign.

So God changes the audience. No longer is he talking to Ahaz, now he is talking to the People of God. And no longer is God just talking about delivering from temporal things, but eternal things. God will deliver his people from what truly is enslaving them by sending a child.

Verse 14 God was going to reveal his plan regardless of Ahaz asking for one. Behold a virgin shall conceive The singular noun “young woman” (7:14) and “the lad” (7:15) suggest that the speaker had one woman and one child in mind, though it does not have to be someone standing in the room at the time.

The singular noun “young woman” (7:14) and “the lad” (7:15) suggest that the speaker had one woman and one child in mind, though it does not have to be someone standing in the room at the time.

Smith, G. V. (2007). . (E. R. Clendenen, Ed.) (p. 202). Nashville: B & H Publishing Group.

Isaiah 7:10–14 ESV

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Immanuel: God would be with his people to defend them from their enemies if they would stand with him in faith. But this is more than a figure of speech. In Jesus it has become a fact: God has become a human being and is with us in every respect except one: He has not committed sin.

God promises child, who will deliver us from our enslavement. This wasn’t mere circumstances, but a plan of redemption, a rescue operation. This child will be able to deliver from our greatest enemy because he is Mighty God.

The Promised Child will be Mighty God

The promised child will not be an ordinary child, but Almighty God.

Isaiah 9:6–7 ESV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Continuing on with Ahaz

The first paragraph in this section introduces a future righteous Davidic king who will bring a period of light and peace to God’s people. This figure is not directly or explicitly contrasted to King Ahaz, but the light, joy, and peace of his era sharply contrasts with the war, distress, and darkness of Ahaz’s reign.

Isaiah

The peace and justice that the future Davidic ruler will establish is also contrasted with the sinful pride and oppression that led to the downfall of both Israel and Assyria

The New American Commentary: Isaiah 1–39 (1) The Reign of a Righteous King (9:1–7)

The first paragraph in this section introduces a future righteous Davidic king who will bring a period of light and peace to God’s people. This figure is not directly or explicitly contrasted to King Ahaz, but the light, joy, and peace of his era sharply contrasts with the war, distress, and darkness of Ahaz’s reign

The New American Commentary: Isaiah 1–39 (1) The Reign of a Righteous King (9:1–7)

The peace and justice that the future Davidic ruler will establish is also contrasted with the sinful pride and oppression that led to the downfall of both Israel and Assyria

The spiritual gloom that is so evident in the world of Israel at this moment will be dispelled forever by the light of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. And He can do this because he is Almighty God.

Verse 6: For to us a child is born The deliverer is a child. His name was not for any Israelite king, not matter how arrogant he may had been. But he was a descendent of the Human David.

That this special child would be “born” is a clear reference to His humanity. Then, Isaiah emphasized the child would be born for us. He was sent for the people of God. The prophecy continued, “a son will be given to us.” While born by natural childbirth, He also was a gift of God. He was born and given.

These conundrum is only satisfied in Jesus Christ, the true Immanuel.

Wonderful Counsellor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. All these four titles show the totality of this child’s royal power.

Counsellor This child is his own counsellor and doesn’t need to be counselled. Just as God didn’t need anyone to counsel him on how to create the world or how to plan for the nations.

Everlasting Father he will provide for his people and protect them forever.

Prince of Peace. He will be the source of peace. More than mere absence of conflict, but is talking about how there will be no issues left unresolved.

Verse 7 Isaiah focuses the messianic hope on an heir of David who would extend his rule from Israel to include all the Gentiles, and thus finally to bring to them the blessing of knowing the true God (; ). Of the increase … no end. The empire of grace will forever expand, and every moment will be better than the last.

Isaiah focuses the messianic hope on an heir of David who would extend his rule from Israel to include all the Gentiles, and thus finally to bring to them the blessing of knowing the true God (; ). Of the increase … no end. The empire of grace will forever expand, and every moment will be better than the last. the throne of David. Cf. . with justice and with righteousness. Unlike apostate Ahaz (cf. ). zeal. The final victory is a miracle, accomplished with a passionate intensity of which only the Lord of hosts is capable (cf. ; ; ).

The final victory is a miracle, accomplished with a passionate intensity of which only the Lord of hosts is capable (cf. ; ; ).

The Messiah establishes his rule in justice (; ) and peace ()

Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (pp. 1257–1258). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Isaiah gave us more insight into Jesus, the coming Messiah. He did this by offering hope to those facing invasion by the Assyrians. They may have been facing dark times, but “a light has dawned” (v. 2). And this hope would come through a future king.

This is the same hope that is offered to,you today. The Christian can withstand any circumstance because they have a sure hope. Would you want to know this hope today? Look to the child, born of a virgin, who he along is able to heal the brokenness, forgive you of your sin.

Isaiah gave us more insight into Jesus, the coming Messiah. He did this by offering hope to those facing invasion by the Assyrians. They may have been facing dark times, but “a light has dawned” (v. 2). And this hope would come through a future king.

BI: The birth of Jesus wasn't mere circumstances, it was planned by God to send a child who will me Mighty God. As mighty God, he will judge righteously

The Promised Child will judge with righteousness

The promised child will be a descendent of David and will judge with righteousness.

Isaiah 11:1–5 ESV

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

This is a shock statement for people who picture Jesus as this blond haired, blue eyed, guy sitting on a green mellow hill. The promised child is Mighty God who will judge in all righteousness.

Verse 1-2 Ahaz but his trust in a nation. God calls him to but his trust in him. He doesn’t. The outcome was Judah’s destruction.

In chapter 10, Isaiah spoke of how God would chop off the branches of the great trees of Assyria. (See .) At some point, the tree of Jesse, who was the father of David, would experience a similar fate as only the stump remained. David’s family line would be in apparent jeopardy. However, that would be an end because these verse tell of a a shoot would grow from “the stump of Jesse.” Our God is a promise keeping God. A branch would arise from the roots of the stump and bear fruit. Though God’s people would face judgment and be cut down, He wasn’t finished with them. A descendant of David would arise and have perfect access to the Spirit of the Lord. This included wisdom and understanding. His knowledge would be perfect, causing Him to make right judicial decisions. This ruler would have the power and might to carry out His decisions.

God is our righteous judge, and if you trust in anything else but him, you will be judge according to your own righteousness rather than what Jesus had done on the cross.

Isaiah used powerful imagery in this passage to proclaim about the coming Messiah. There shall come forth a shoot At first glance, verse 1 doesn’t sound like the Messiah comes from very strong stock: “A shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse.” A shoot was a small reed—just a twig—and of course, a stump implies that the dead tree had been cut down. Essentially, this verse teaches us that the line of David was on its way out until the Messiah was born. The Assyrians had all but destroyed the kingdom of Judah, but it was the Babylonians who brought Judah to an end in 587 BC. David’s dynasty appeared as decimated as the Assyrian army at this point. Isaiah looked beyond his people’s trials to the glorious kingdom that would be established when the Messiah—the tender shoot from a seemingly dead stump—came to reign.

Righteousness will be the belt of his waste This child will judge in all righteousness. Decisions will be based on the true nature of the heart. Status, monkey, or political influence will not derail this now perspective on justice.

This reign of justice will require the condemnation of wickedness, the imposition of penalties on the wicked, and the removal of God’s enemies. The righteous character of the Messiah will enable him to do the right thing in all circumstances while his faithfulness will ensure his consistent dependability. He will display perfectoy the character of God because the divine Spirit’s gifts will hang like clothes around him.

GOSPEL MOVE: Here’s the thing. This was a plan. A rescue plan. God knows our desperate state. He Knows our brokenness. The birth of Jesus wasn’t mere circumstance, it was planned by God. CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS and ROSE AGAIN.

BI: The birth of Jesus wasn't mere circumstances, it was planned by God to send a child who will me Mighty God who will judge in all righteousness.

SO WHAT?

There is no recklessness that has happened. This was a plan, that God established when Adam and Eve brought sin into the world. God initiated a rescue plan to redeem, buy back, a people for himself, so that we may call the Holy God, creator of the universe, Father.

This wasn’t something that just happened, it was planned.

GOSPEL MOVE

BI: The birth of Jesus wasn't mere circumstances, it was planned by God. Just as much as you plan to do the simple things in life, God mounted a rescue plan from the beginning when sin entered into the world. He did this by sending his Son, born of the virgin woman who is both 100 God and 100 man to judge in righteousness.

The birth of Jesus was all part of God’s plan for Him to bring us salvation and righteousness. How will you actively trust the sovereign plan of God this week?

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Praise. God has intricately planned the glorious act of salvation. Praise God for putting His perfect plan in place so long ago to bring salvation to you.

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Give. Many people live in areas where they’ve never heard the name of Jesus. Your church likely has a special offering at this time of year to help take the message of the Messiah to the nations. Give to this special missions offering as an investment in the lives of others.

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Share. Ask God for the opportunity to share the good news of the Messiah with someone this week. God will supply the wisdom, compassion, courage, and words if you will be sensitive and obedient to Him.

Response:

Immanuel means “God with us.” What does this truth mean for Christ-followers?

How have you seen Jesus reveal Himself as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, or Prince of Peace?

What can we learn about Jesus’ nature from these verses?

DISCUSS: What does this passage reveal about God’s ultimate plan?

What does this passage reveal about God’s ultimate plan?