The sign of Immanuel

Isaiah 7:1-14

Key Verse 7:14

This passage shows us that for those who believe, the Lord is the ever present help, helping his children, leading them out of troubled waters and into peace of mind and the joy of life.

The word "sign" indicates that as abstract-sounding as the word "God" is, and as invisible (to physical eyes) as he is, still the Lord provides his children with plenty of ways to know his presence (the presence of him who is willing and ready to help them out in good times and bad times.)

1. Read verse 1. What came to pass to the King of Judah? Can you think of anything similar [challenge(s)] coming to pass in your life (or your family, society, or nation)?

** Two northern kingdoms banded together to make war against Judah. 

** Jesus says that while we are in this world we will have trouble. The things that are happening in the U.S. (job markets etc.) are but some of many other examples.  

2. Read verse 2. How did Ahaz and his people respond to the news? Verse 1 talks about the challenge hitting "the king of Judah", but verse 2 refers to "the house of David". Why? 

** They were like the trees of the forest shaken by the wind.

** Most likely it is to remind them of the way in which David met the challenges such as Goliath. 

3. In verse 3 the Lord asked his servant Isaiah to go out and help Ahaz. In so doing the Lord also asked Isaiah to take his son. What does this passage tell us about the way the Lord helps his people? 

** It shows us: a) the Lord helps his people by sending his servants such as pastors, shepherds, etc.; b) the Lord uses plenty of devices/ways to get the message across such as the meaning of the names of Isaiah or Shear-Jasub. It is not improbable that as Ahaz greeted the two he might have understood the Hebrew meanings of the word Isaiah (which means "The Lord [or God] is my salvation" and the name of his son (which means "A remnant shall return"). These two names offer Ahaz ways to deal with the challenge, that is, if he turns to the Lord in repentance and in earnest prayer for the Lord's guidance, the Lord would help him out, so he would be out of the forest. But if he does not turn to the Lord, he and his followers would only go through troubles. Only those who are humble and believing come back to a peaceful way of life. 

In our practical life, if we are willing to listen to the Lord's wise advice, we can find plenty of servants who can help us out; but because often times we are too proud, we end up not looking for their help.  

 

4. Read verses 4-9. Verse 4 reads, "Say to him..." This passage also describes not only what Judah's opponents say, but also what the Lord had to say. What does this passage show us about the way the Lord helps his children? 

** The Lord wants us to go by his words rather than by what people (esp. our enemies) are saying. We have the Bible which is filled with the Lord's good wisdom.

A comparison of the Lord's words with the words of people (Judah's opponents) indicates that God's word helps us to correctly assess the nature of the challenges we have in life. So we need to weigh what is going on in this world with the word of God. Then we can quickly know that these problems are manageable, because for those who love the Lord, problems in life serve as opportunities to grow in faith, deepening our relationship with the Lord. 

5. Read verses 10-12. What did the Lord ask Ahaz to do? How did Ahaz respond to the Lord's request? What does his response tell us about Ahaz? (cf. 2Ki 16:7-9)

** Seek a sign

** He said "No thank you."

** He relied on visible people like Assyrians who ended up causing more troubles, rather than offering solutions.  

6. Read verse 13-14. What does this passage tell us about God? 

** God is long patient. 

7. Read verse 14 again. What is the function of a "sign"? Which child (or son) in the New Testament Scriptures is also Immanuel? (Matthew 1:23) What does the name "Immanuel" tell us about the way the Lord helps his children?

** A sign shows the direction we need to go to reach our destination. In this case it serves as the sign showing which way to turn to seek help in times of trouble. 

** Jesus Christ. Matthew 1:23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."

** The four gospels (and the book of Acts and many more) tell us that God sent Jesus to get us out of this troubled world into his kingdom where we can find eternal security. The name "Immanuel" indicates that this help begins here and now. 

The end.