The Scripture
Isaiah 7 has
much to teach us about scripture, history, and life. First, let’s look at what we can learn about
scripture. Here in this chapter we have
an incredible demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit to give scripture
and reinterpret it. In fact, we can get
as many as three interpretations out of this scripture. The classifications for those interpretations
are: historical context, future interpretation (re-revelation), personal
interpretation (truth in each of our individual lives).
For example,
take the most famous verse in this passage: Isaiah 7:14. Most Christians read this verse and cannot
help think that Isaiah is speaking about Jesus.
And before you get worried … it totally and completely is a verse about
God’s Messiah: Jesus. This would be an
example of the “future interpretation” type.
The Holy Spirit takes Isaiah’s words from 700 years prior and makes them
true also about Christ. In fact, we
might even say the Holy Spirit takes words spoken 700 years ago and shows that
they are most true about Christ.
However,
there is absolutely an “historical context” type of understanding as well. You see, when Ahaz was king his nation was
challenged by an alliance between Israel – the northern kingdom, remember – and
Syria. When those kings came to attack
Ahaz, Isaiah went to Ahaz to reassure him.
Ahaz would have nothing to hear of it.
So Isaiah tells Ahaz that in the time that it takes for a woman who is
currently a virgin to be married, conceive of a child, give birth to that
child, and then have the child develop enough to know right from wrong that the
alliance between the enemies of Judah would dissolve. For the record, that time is no less than
almost 3 years according to Jewish tradition.
(1 year minimum for the marriage rituals, 9 months for conception, and 1
year for the child to grow enough to know right from wrong.) Essentially, in the actual historical context
of Isaiah, these words of God through Isaiah are informing Ahaz that in less
than three years this threat with which he is so concerned will not even exist.
There is
also a third layer of interpretation.
The virgin shall give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel
(God with us). Jesus is indeed with us
presently. He promises to be with us in
the “breaking of the bread.” He also
promises to send His Spirit to us, which he does. God is indeed with us personally.
So what do
learn about scripture? In the hands of
the Holy Spirit, scripture is indeed a powerful tool. Scripture always has a true historical
context: the alliance did fail within 3 years of the prophecy. We also learn that the Holy Spirit can take
words that were true hundreds or thousands of years before and recycle a new and
deeper layer of truth into them: these verses especially pertain to Jesus
Christ. In many instances, these
passages can also be used by the Holy Spirit again to speak to some truth in
our own life: God is still with us.
The History
Next, let’s
look at what this passage can teach us about history. We’ve already learned that within three years
of this prophecy the foreign alliance threatening Judah dissolves. Verse 8 tells us that within 65 years of the
prophecy that Ephraim – Isaiah’s “pet” name for the northern kingdom of Israel –
will no longer even be a people. We know
that the northern kingdom was taken into captivity under the Assyrians in 722 –
only 12 years after this prophecy was given!
Verses 18 and 19 tell us that the “fly” from Egypt and the “bee” in
Assyria will bother Ahaz since he does not believe God’s promise for
survival. We know that from this point
on the Pharaoh in Egypt and the King of Assyria will pester the reign of all the
kings of Judah – not just Ahaz.
So what do
we learn about history? God’s Word is
genuinely true. God’s Word does not
conform to history, history conforms to God’s Word.
Applications Into Life
Finally,
let’s look at what we can learn about life.
Take a look at Ahaz. He’s
concerned about the kingdoms around him rising up to pester him. This is a legitimate fear and concern. In fact, since God sends Isaiah to Ahaz He is
in effect legitimizing Ahaz’s concern.
He has a reason to be concerned.
God doesn’t mind when we get concerned about what is happening around
us. He wants us to pay attention to the
world around us.
However,
Ahaz refuses to listen to God. Ahaz
refuses to be comforted. He is so preoccupied with reality that he cannot see
that God is in control of reality. He
doubts Isaiah’s word. In fact, he not
only doubts Isaiah’s word; he mocks Isaiah.
When Isaiah tells Ahaz that God will do any sign for him to demonstrate
that his promise is true, Ahaz essentially says that he’s not interested in
God’s perspective on reality when he claims to “not want to put God to the
test.” Ahaz doesn’t want to test
God? Well, I tell you that Ahaz is
testing God’s patience!
What can we
learn? How often do we put our own sight
before God’s Word? How often do we trust
our own understanding? Worse – how often
do we trust our own fear instead of trusting in God’s promise?
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