pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: Ahaz


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True Power and Presence

Reading: Isaiah 7:10-13

Isaiah 7:11 – “Ask a sign from the Lord your God. Make it as deep as the grave or as high as heaven.”

Photo credit: Dan Kiefer

At the start of chapter 7, King Ahaz of Judah receives a word from God through the prophet Isaiah. Ahaz is told that Aram and Israel will not overpower Judah. Both will fall to a resurgent Assyria. In the first half of this week’s reading from Isaiah 7, God says to Ahaz, “Ask a sign from the Lord your God.” A sign could be very reassuring for a still-fearful Ahaz. In times of tension or danger or doubt or fear, it is natural to want a sign that God is with us. It is normal to not want to feel all alone. A sign indicating God’s power and presence helps us to move forward, to not be so afraid…, to have some hope.

In the remainder of verse 11 God adds, “Make it as deep as the grave or as high as heaven.” Often we want this kind of sign from God. We want a flashing neon billboard-sized sign from God, one that is as high as the heavens (or as low as the grave.) We’d prefer a sign so large that there is absolutely no mistaking that God is present and large and in total control. Ahaz does not fall into this temptation. He states that he does not “want to test the Lord.” Although still fearful, Ahaz resists the temptation to ask God to prove God’s power, presence…

In this season of Advent we’re reminded that Immanuel, God with us, did not come in grand fashion. Christ wasn’t born into a powerful and wealthy family. Instead, Jesus was born to humble parents in the simplest of settings. In times when we are seeking God’s power and presence, may we remember that God most often comes in the humble, simple, and everyday of life. When this is the God that we seek, we will find signs of God’s true power and presence.

Prayer: Lord God, in our times of need, turn our eyes and hearts away from the amazing and awesome. Instead, focus our eyes and hearts on the many ways that you are present in and amongst us – in Spirit, in your Word, in one another, and in creation. May this constant presence strengthen and encourage us. Amen.


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A Sign

Reading: Isaiah 7:10-16

Verse 14: “Therefore the Lord will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

In this week’s Isaiah passage, King Ahaz is the king of Judah. The king of Israel and two other kings have formed an alliance and plan on invading and dividing up Judah. The Lord tells Ahaz that this will not happen, encouraging him to “stand firm in your faith.” Then, in today’s text, God encourages Ahaz to ask for a sign – a sign that God is with him. Ahaz refuses. He chooses self over God. God then has a word or two for Ahaz.

At times I’ve gone where Ahaz goes. I’ve been in a tough spot and, instead of accepting the standing offer of God’s help, I essentially say to God, ‘God, I’ve got this. No, I don’t need a sign.’ Maybe you too have let your pride or arrogance get in the way of God working in your life.

After getting on Ahaz for testing God, Isaiah informs Ahaz that God will still give a sign of God’s presence with us: “Therefore the Lord will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” This gift of Jesus will be a sign of God’s continued love for Judah and for Israel and, indeed, for all of humanity. The miracle of the birth and the life of the Son reveals the depth of God’s love.

At the end of verses 16 God hints at the consequence of testing God. The details continue in verses 17. Two kingdoms – Judah and Israel – will fall to Assyria. One after the other will pay for their rebellion against and for their rejection of God. When I’ve chosen self over God, I too suffer. God’s way is always better. Yet, through Jesus, God continues to love even me. Thanks be to God for a love that never ends and for a grace that is always greater than my sin and failure.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your great love. Please continue to shape and refine me, to purge away my chaff. Day by day, break my selfish spirit and align me more and more with the heart of Jesus Christ. Amen.


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Love, Hope

Reading: Isaiah 7: 10-16

Verse 14: “The Lord himself will give you a sign”.

The northern kingdom of Israel has fallen to the Assyrians. The tide is rising against Judah. King Ahaz is trying to do all he can to survive the coming assault. He is doing all HE can. So God speaks to him through the prophet Isaiah, encouraging him to ask for a sign. A sign might guide him, it might give him some direction. Ahaz refuses to put the Lord to the test. He knows that he has been relying on himself; he has not been fully faithful to God and is therefore hesitant to go to God now.

Instead of receiving harsh words or punishment for his lack of faith and trust, Ahaz hears some words of hope. Isaiah tells him, “The Lord himself will give you a sign”. Even though you will not ask – yes, a little more disobedience – God will still speak. Overall the message is not good. Assyria is coming like a razor to cut them down. Briars and thorns will replace the vines, the farmlands will not produce crops. But there, in the midst of all this, we find hope. Ahaz and Judah find hope. The sign is a “virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel”. Why would God offer such a promise, such a hope to a king and kingdom about to be destroyed?

I believe hope and love go hand in hand. Although the nation of Judah awaits punishment, God still loves them. Even though he must punish, God loves his children without limit. The people of Judah and the people of Israel already living in defeat will hear these words and will be reminded of God’s love for them. This will bring them hope.

Many hundreds of years later these words would be read through the Christian lens. Christians connect these words to Jesus, he who took on flesh to be Immanuel – God with us. Like these words to Ahaz and Judah, Jesus brought hope, love, and new promises. Christ offers restoration and healing to a broken and hurting world. As we await the birth and long for his return, we have hope. In love we pray, come, Lord Jesus, come.

Prayer: Father of love, thank you for the greatest gift ever – Jesus Christ. In him we find you. In you we find love, hope, peace, joy, salvation, and so much more. You are an awesome God! May all the praise and glory and honor be yours, both now and forevermore. Amen.