Isaiah 7

Summary War is coming. Ahaz, king of Jerusalem is afraid as three different armies have gathered to attack the city. Isaiah arrives to challenge the King to trust in God. Instead Ahaz argues with Isaiah choosing to continue down his path of doing things his own way. Isaiah warns that this “big threat” will be gone in only a few months (by the time a new born baby starts eating baby food). If they don’t trust God, Israel will be wiped out too. Instead of the garden God wants them to be, they will be an infertile field. God We can see God inviting Ahaz to try following and believing. Yet he isn’t willing to listen. God tries to reach us and guide us even if we don’t want to go his way. God’s goal is to strengthen us. The sad story is how often we neglect God. Gospel It is good news that even with human failure and faithlessness God is still with us. God is with us when we are afraid, when surrounded by troubles, and when we give up. God gives a promise of a child born in a war. God is promising a future peace when things look bleak. While people reject and ignore God - he still wants to be with them. This is the promise that looks forward to Jesus - who is God with us (Matthew 1:23). Reflection Read the encounter King Ahaz had with Isaiah. What is God saying to Ahaz that you can apply to yourself?