Wednesday, December 21st 2016
Isaiah 7:1-17
key verse: 14
Today's word is a promise concerning Christ's birth. God predicted it amidst the calamities in Israel.
1. Two smoldering stumps of firebrands (1-9)
The allied armies of Syria and Ephraim were attacking Jerusalem. King Ahaz and his people tremble with fear, like trees which tremble in the wind. But God considers the two enemies as smoldering stumps of firebrands. In his eyes, they are nothing. In fact, these two kingdoms want to submit the third in order to push back the newly arisen Assyria. Together, they want to establish a new king. Human beings make many plans, but God says they will not last. For Judah, this alliance is an unbearable menace. God says they must be firm in faith if they want to be victorious (9b). It is a call to faith, a message continually repeated and the center of gravity in Isaiah's prophecy.
2. His name will be Immanuel (10-17)
Isaiah tells the king to ask for a sign, which he refuses to do. Isaiah's call to faith is above all a call to the will. To refuse the offer is to squarely reject God, but Ahaz had already made a resolution. Faith has no place in his religion or his politics. He conceives a foolish plan to defeat his ennemies by siding with Assyria. In the meantime, God gives a sign. While the king is calling an army, God sees a child. This little sign will gauge the promised victory and above all, will indicate his presence, as is indicated by the name "Immanuel". However, the blindness of the king and his people prevents them from seeing the validity of this sign.
Prayer: Lord, help me not to be political, but spiritual by putting my faith in you. Thank you for being with me this year.
Bottom line: The baby is called Immanuel.
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