Isaiah 7 – 12
Remember, we are not covering every verse and every chapter.
This next section of Isaiah groups together chapters 7 – 12 as chapters that groups prophecies about the threats of the Aramean and their alliance with Israel (the 10 northern tribes) against Judah and the rejoicing over the deliverance from the Assyria.
NASB listed the chapter breakouts as:
- Chapter 7 – Ahaz is warned not to fear the North or the Aramean, or their alliance with the North Tribes.
- Chapters 8 – 9:7 – Isaiah and his son come to Ahaz
- Chapter 9:8 – 10:4 God’s Judgment against Israel (the Northern tribes)
- Chapter 10 – 12
- The destruction of Assyria (Isaiah 10:5 – 34)
- The establishment of the Davidic Kingdom (Isaiah 11)
- Songs of joy for deliverance (Isaiah 12)
Key Verse
7:14
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.
Chapter 7
This chapter contains a prophecy about the preservation of the kingdom of Judah from its enemies; a confirmation of that preservation by a sign; and a prediction of various calamities that will come to Israel. The enemies of Judea are named and the attack of Jerusalem by them. The prophecy of the child in verse 14 tells the timing of the coming attack, before he can tell “good from evil”. Isaiah 7:3 the orders are given by the Lord to the Prophet Isaiah, to take with him his son and meet Ahaz, at a certain place. Isaiah 7:3 was to comfort Ahaz and exhort him to take care and calm since the conspiracy formed against him would not stand. Isaiah 7:11 is where the king is told to ask for a sign of the Lord for confirmation God’s protection. Ahaz refuses to ask or test the Lord under the pretense of testing the Lord. Ahaz is reproved because by refusing to obey, he is actually trying the patience of God. A sign is given nevertheless – which holds true in two different time frames, one which we are most familiar with is that of the birth of the Messiah of a virgin, who would be truly God, as his name Immanuel shows. The other is a child during the life of Isaiah and would prove to the nation that God was in control of all things. Language is selected such that while partially applicable to the immediate event, receives its fullest, most appropriate, and exhaustive accomplishment in Messianic events.
Isaiah 7:10 suggests that the deliverance of Judea from the two kings of Syria and Israel should be quick, even before the young child Isaiah had with him was capable of knowing to refuse evil, and chose good. Isaiah 7:16 is a chastisement of the house of David for their unbelief in this matter and slight of the divine goodness, various things are threatened to befall them, before the birth of the named son, even such as had not been since the revolt of the ten tribes; as that their enemies, the Assyrians and others, should come upon them in great numbers, and fill all places, so that they would be in the utmost distress, and not be able to escape.
In Isaiah 7:17 there would be a great consumption of men of all sorts, high and low, signified by shaving off the hair of the head, beard, and feet so that the few that remained would enjoy plenty. Isaiah 7:20 speaks of the lack of men to till the land so it would be covered with thorns and briers. Naming the cause of wild beasts, the few men in it would be obliged to defend themselves with bows and arrows. Isaiah 7:23 after this the land should become fruitful again before the Messiah’s coming, Isaiah 7:25, as some interpret it.
Comment about verse 14 – Language is selected such as, while partially applicable to the immediate event, receives its fullest, most appropriate, and exhaustive accomplishment in Messianic events. In the Hebrew, which is how it was originally written, the word could mean young woman or virgin. In the Septuagint, it was precisely virgin. And in fact, as Matthew uses it, it is precisely virgin.
1. Here are some things to think about from Isaiah 7. (Please reference 2 Chronicles 27–28 for more about Ahaz.)
a. As you read this passage, keep in mind that Ahaz sacrificed his own children at an altar of a foreign god.
b. As terrible as Ahaz might have been, God still had a promise to keep since the Messiah would come through the house of David. Matthew 1:9. The lesson is this: That God’s promise in the case of the house of David was not dependent on the people in the line, but it was made and kept by God.
c. The pretense of refusing a sign and quoting scripture to hold that position was not godly although Ahaz would have liked it to look that way. God commanded him to ask and he told God no. But God did it even though Ahaz wanted to refuse it. Again we see how the belligerent religious non-believer responds to God.
Chapter 8 is remarkable if read the passage and put it into today’s modern world. Read verses 8:11-17. Think about all the discussion we are exposed to regarding a plan to destroy this nation or that – what is boils down to is that God is in control and we are not to fear what the rest of the people of the world fear. Our fear is to be reserved for God and God alone. You might hear about wars and rumors of war, but never doubt that God is in control of the world and the politicians of the world. They probably are not responding with obedience to God’s plan but that does not mean they can defeat God’s plan. God calls us out from a world that fears other men to be a people who fear only Him and a people who bow down to no one but Him. We are to come to Him for our sanctuary, not to man’s plans or schemes.
Another remarkable passage in this short section of Isaiah is also found here, and it is the source of words we know from Handel’s Messiah: Isaiah 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. This prophecy about a kingdom to come is in direct contrast to the passage before, in chapter 8, where the state of the Israel is very dismal. The nation will go from Isaiah 8, where people are consulting mediums (v. 19), looking to the dead for answers (v. 19), ignorance of God’s truth (v. 20), hungry and cursed while cursing God for their lot (v. 21), they will look to the earth rather than look to God (v. 22) and finally driven away to darkness (v. 22).
Then in Chapter 9, we read about a new day. The people who walk in darkness shall see a great light. There will be gladness in the land. And it is all because of the child who will be born to us. (v. 9:9) There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace. The zeal of the Lord will accomplish this – not the physical strength of men, or any of the natural things that accomplish things, but God’s zeal.
In chapter 10, we see a little how God uses ungodly nations to accomplish His purposes. Verse 1-2 and then verse 5 are interesting. Notice that Assyria is warned but they are still God’s rod of anger against people who have set up their own idols. And even though their idols were worse than those in Israel, God reached out to them to discipline His children. To see the purpose in the strike, read verse 10:20.
In chapter 11, we see again a reminder of a coming day, a different day. Verses that are most likely familiar to most of us, where a shoot will spring form the stem of Jesse. (11:1) Someone who will delight in the fear of the Lord. What does that mean to us in reality? What does it mean to delight in the fear of the Lord?
Chapter 12 is a chapter of praise – as the prophet blesses the Lord (acknowledges all that is good comes from God, even if he doesn’t actually have it yet. He looks forward to a day when that will be his heart and words towards all that the Lord has done.)
