7:7-9
There was no doubt all sorts of political intrigue and discussions on the military prospects, along with sabre rattling. “Yet this is what the Sovereign Lord says ..” We need to recognise the limitations of human wisdom, which includes our own wisdom! “It will not take place”. At the time of writing (8 Feb 2019) there are all sorts of discussions about what will and will not take place with Brexit. Most of the talk will prove to be just that. It is the Sovereign Lord who is speaking here, the only one who really knows what is going on, and where it is all going to end. Damascus and Ephraim were just nations headed by men who were nothing. And Ephraim (Israel) would come to nothing.
So what is Ahaz to do? “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all”. We must stand firm in our faith at all times, whatever the pressures.
7:10-12
When Jesus was on earth people, particularly the religious leaders were forever asking for a sign, and Jesus refused to give them one. Here Ahaz is commanded to ask for a sign, but Ahaz refuses to do so, saying that he will not put the Lord to the test. This mirrors one of Jesus’ responses when faced with temptation in the wilderness. It is difficult to tell whether Ahaz’s response is a godly response, or simply being pig-headed. The latter seems to be the more likely. The last thing he wants to do is to have to trust in the Lord. This is a very human response.
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