NET Bible Text
7:1 During the reign of Ahaz son of Jotham, son of Uzziah, king of Judah, King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah son of Remaliah of Israel marched up to Jerusalem to do battle, but they were unable to prevail against it.
7:2 It was reported to the family of David, “Syria has allied with Ephraim.” They and their people were emotionally shaken, just as the trees of the forest shake before the wind.
7:3 So the Lord told Isaiah, “Go out with your son Shear-jashub and meet Ahaz at the end of the conduit of the upper pool which is located on the road to the field where they wash and dry cloth.
7:4 Tell him, ‘Make sure you stay calm! Don’t be afraid! Don’t be intimidated by these two stubs of smoking logs, or by the raging anger of Rezin, Syria, and the son of Remaliah.
7:5 Syria has plotted with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah to bring about your demise.
7:6 They say, “Let’s attack Judah, terrorize it, and conquer it. Then we’ll set up the son of Tabeel as its king.”
7:7 For this reason the sovereign master, the Lord, says: “It will not take place; it will not happen.
7:8 For Syria’s leader is Damascus, and the leader of Damascus is Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will no longer exist as a nation.
7:9 Ephraim’s leader is Samaria, and Samaria’s leader is the son of Remaliah. If your faith does not remain firm, then you will not remain secure.”
7:10 The Lord again spoke to Ahaz:
7:11 “Ask for a confirming sign from the Lord your God. You can even ask for something miraculous.”
7:12 But Ahaz responded, “I don’t want to ask; I don’t want to put the Lord to a test.”
7:13 So Isaiah replied, “Pay attention, family of David. Do you consider it too insignificant to try the patience of men? Is that why you are also trying the patience of my God?
7:14 For this reason the sovereign master himself will give you a confirming sign. Look, this young woman is about to conceive and will give birth to a son. You, young woman, will name him Immanuel.
7:15 He will eat sour milk and honey, which will help him know how to reject evil and choose what is right.
7:16 Here is why this will be so: Before the child knows how to reject evil and choose what is right, the land whose two kings you fear will be desolate.
7:17 The Lord will bring on you, your people, and your father’s family a time unlike any since Ephraim departed from Judah ”“ the king of Assyria!”
7:18 At that time the Lord will whistle for flies from the distant streams of Egypt and for bees from the land of Assyria.
7:19 All of them will come and make their home in the ravines between the cliffs, and in the crevices of the cliffs, in all the thorn bushes, and in all the watering holes.
7:20 At that time the sovereign master will use a razor hired from the banks of the Euphrates River, the king of Assyria, to shave the head and the pubic hair; it will also shave off the beard.
7:21 At that time a man will keep alive a young cow from the herd and a couple of goats.
7:22 From the abundance of milk they produce, he will have sour milk for his meals. Indeed, everyone left in the heart of the land will eat sour milk and honey.
7:23 At that time every place where there had been a thousand vines worth a thousand shekels will be overrun with thorns and briers.
7:24 With bow and arrow men will hunt there, for the whole land will be covered with thorns and briers.
7:25 They will stay away from all the hills that were cultivated, for fear of the thorns and briers. Cattle will graze there and sheep will trample on them.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
Simple Summary
In Ahaz’s day, Judah faced a serious threat, but the Lord said the attack would not succeed. God gave the sign of Immanuel to show that he was still with David’s house. Ahaz refused to trust the Lord, and the passage ends with a warning that Assyria would later bring severe judgment on Judah.
What This Passage Means
During Ahaz’s reign, Syria and Israel joined together and marched against Jerusalem. They were strong in fear, but the Lord said their plan would fail. Isaiah told Ahaz not to be afraid or shaken.
The Lord offered Ahaz a sign, even a miraculous one, to confirm his word. Ahaz refused, but his refusal did not cancel God’s message. Isaiah then announced the sign of Immanuel, which means God with us. The sign showed that God had not abandoned the house of David, and the immediate threat would end before the child reached maturity.
Yet the passage also turns to judgment. The Lord said Assyria would come like a razor and humble Judah. The land would be stripped down, and thorns and briers would overtake much of it. So this passage holds promise and warning together. God keeps his word, but unbelief brings discipline.
Important Truths
- God rules over kings and nations.
- The coalition against Jerusalem would not succeed.
- Real security comes from faith in the Lord, not fear.
- Ahaz refused God’s offered sign.
- The sign of Immanuel showed that God was still with the house of David.
- Assyria would become God’s instrument of judgment against Judah.
- God’s promise and God’s discipline both stand in this passage.
Warnings, Promises, or Commands
- Warning: Fear and unbelief leave a person insecure.
- Warning: Refusing the Lord’s word is not true faith, even if it sounds pious.
- Warning: Assyria would bring severe judgment on Judah.
- Promise: The attack on Jerusalem would not succeed.
- Promise: The sign of Immanuel showed that God remained with David’s house.
- Command: Stay calm and do not be afraid.
- Command: Trust the Lord, or you will not stand secure.
How This Fits in God's Plan
This passage belongs to the history of the Davidic kingdom under the old covenant. God preserves his promise to David’s house while also judging a faithless king and a troubled people. The sign of Immanuel keeps alive the hope that God remains with his people, and it fits within the larger Bible story without losing the original historical meaning.
Simple Application
When fear is strong, do not build your life on politics, pressure, or human plans alone. Listen to God’s word, trust him, and obey him. Also remember that God may preserve his people while still humbling them for unbelief.