Ahaz’s Sign – Isaiah and Ahaz – God With Us

Description

AHAZ’S SIGN

More than 700 years before the birth of the Savior, the people of Jerusalem were frightened. Their peace was threatened by a ruthless power from the north, called Assyria who was taking over country after country. Judah’s neighbors, Ephraim and Syria were hastily forming political alliances to guard against the threat.

Judah’s king, Ahaz refused to join the alliance, choosing instead to bargain with Assyria directly for his nation’s safety. The Kings of Ephraim and Syria were angered that Ahaz and Judah would not join them and promised to invade and remove Ahaz as King. Isaiah the prophet came to Ahaz and told him not to fear the two allied kings. Don’t listen to them, be at peace and trust the Lord. But the imminent political threat was too much for the wicked Ahaz. In his heart he would not believe it. How could he? Their doom seemed sure in spite of Isaiah’s promises.

Knowing that, Isaiah said, “Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either the depth, or in the height above.” To seek signs of ourselves is evil, but when the Lord commands us to ask for one, it is evil not to. Moreover to be told that his sign can come from the depths of hell or the heights of heaven, whatever he wants, must mean that God is very determined that this doubting man believe His promises.

Stubbornly, Ahaz refused to ask. Isaiah was disgusted with him and all his nation, and said the Lord would give him a sign anyway. “Behold,” He said addressing himself now to all the nation, “a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Which means God with us.

A virgin bearing a son? That’s impossible. Yet, God did the impossible on that first Christmas when Jesus was born. But Ahaz would not live to see the sign fulfilled.

Christ would not be born for another seven hundred years. So why was it given? Because this was not just a sign to Ahaz, but to all the children of God that doubt Him and His promises.

Every Christmas is reminder that God did once and can do again the impossible. Any of you listening to me that are troubled for any reason and seek peace, need only look at the miracle of Christmas to awaken your latent faith. This is, ironically, the season of the coldest weather and yet for a time, the warmest hearts.

When Christmas comes “God is with us” again, in our hearts, our homes, and even our music. One need only look how our world changes this time of year to know that Christ is still in Christmas. Indeed, Christmas is an everlasting sign to a doubting world that God is still with us and that He loves us that He can still do the impossible, this time for you.

Sources:

734 B.C see Sidney B. Sperry The Voice of Israel’s Prophets [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co. 1952] p. 28
Isaiah 7:2,6,9-14
Some have contended that virgin is not Isaiah’s meaning, but rather an unmarried woman, but Nephi affirms that the impossible did happen; a virgin did conceive and bear a child. See 1 Nephi 11:18