Read Isa. 7:10-20
Ahaz must have had a hard time believing what Isaiah was saying but was too afraid to have it confirmed in a sign. Maybe then he would have to believe. So God decided to give him one anyway. He prophesies both the birth of Jesus to the virgin Mary and the birth of a child which will be born to the prophetess, Isaiah's wife in the next chapter. The word "virgin" can also mean a "young woman". She was a type of Mary just as the baby was a type of Jesus. Isaiah says the name of the child will be Emanuel meaning "God with us" which is talking about Jesus. We will discuss the name of Isaiah's baby in the next chapter. Then as quickly as he gives that word about Jesus he shifts back to the present and talks about his baby. He will eat
butter and honey which describes the condition of their land. There only food will be what they can find on their own. In verse 16 it says, "before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good." This is referring to the day he becomes a man and is responsible for his own actions which is the age of 12 - the age Jesus was when he went to the temple and wanted to be about his father's business. By this time the two nations that Ahaz is afraid of (Israel and Syria) will be destroyed. God will use Egypt and Assyria to bring shame on Israel and Syria.
Lord, you are always giving us signs about what you are doing in our lives. Help us to see them and read them correctly.
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