Advent: Love

Background: Chapter 7

Judah is on the brink of a 2 front war with Israel and Syria

They are both near Jerusalem and are getting ready to strike.

Ahaz is about to make an alliance with Assyria to fight off both Israel and Syria

The key verse in chapter 7 is found in v9b with says: “ If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.’ ”

Background: Ahaz

The 12th king of Judah.

The dates of his reign are circa 735–715 bc

Ahaz came to the throne at age 20 and ruled Judah for 16 years. He was probably co-regent with his father, Jotham, for four years before his solo reign began. Ahaz shared the throne with his son, Hezekiah, from 728/7–715 bc

Ahaz placed his trust in Assyria when faced with military threat. His actions led to divine judgment upon Judah.

Isaiah had advised Ahaz to trust in the Lord’s promise to deliver Judah (Isa 7:1–12) rather than joining the coalition or becoming an Assyrian vassal state. Ahaz did not realize that Assyria would have to deal with these nations on its own, and relief could come without the immediate necessity of a tribute payment (Sweeney, 1 and 2 Kings, 380). Isaiah offered Ahaz the choice of any sign he desired to verify the divine promise, but Ahaz refused and appealed to Assyria for help.

In spite of divine intervention through Oded and the guidance offered by Isaiah, Ahaz turned to the Syrian gods for deliverance. He may have reasoned that the Syrian deities had shown their superiority in their victory over Israel (2 Chr 28:23). After traveling to Damascus to affirm his loyalty to Tiglath-Pileser III, Ahaz replaced Solomon’s bronze altar in Jerusalem with a replica of the Damascene one.

1.) With Love of God comes Trust vv10-13

If you love someone you must also trust them.

God offered to provide a sign for Ahaz but he did not want it.

This was a sign to prove to Ahaz that God was real, powerful and will act on his behalf.

Ahaz’s rejection of God and what God might have to tell him is an indication of little faith in God. He is not really interested in trusting God, for he probably has already developed his own plan to put his trust in Assyria to deliver him from Syria and Israel.

Ahaz was weary of God and the people.

In this context weary means:

not to trust or skittish.

Love and mistrust can not live in the same house.

As we have already talked about God tells Ahaz in v 9: “If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.’ ”

2.) With Love of God Comes Salvation vv14-15

God loves us so much that he gave us his own son for a salvation that we could not gain on our own.

v 14 is one of the most quoted verses in the messianic prophecies

Matt 1:23 23  “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”

This plan was laid in place ever since Adam and Eve fell to sin in the garden.

Three things pertain to the sign of the coming Christ:

The Boy would be born of a Virgin

He would be raised in a time of national calamity

He would be called Immanuel

3.) With Love of God Comes Discipline vv 16-17

It is out of love that God disciplines the ones that He loves.

It is only through loving correction that we know which ways are good and which ways are not.

Benediction:

We leave this place claimed and redeemed by the One who is and who is to come. The Savior of the World is here! We go from this place to bear witness to the light that has come and is coming into the world. Come, Lord Jesus, come.