Isaiah 17: 1-3

Prophecy about Damascus

¹ The oracle concerning Damascus.

“Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city
And will become a fallen ruin.
² “The cities of Aroer are forsaken;
They will be for flocks to lie down in,
And there will be no one to frighten them.
³ “The fortified city will disappear from Ephraim,
And sovereignty from Damascus
And the remnant of Aram;
They will be like the glory of the sons of Israel,”
Declares the Lord of hosts.

From Moab, Isaiah steers his prophecy making northward to Damascus, which was (and is) the capital of Aram--or, today, Syria. "Its location NE of Mt. Hermon on the main land route between Mesopotamia and Egypt made it very influential," according to my study Bible. Of course, this week, Syria is the epicenter of world events.

In reviewing the cross-references for our verses this week, I was pleased to have a history refresher and a re-visit to earlier chapters in Isaiah. [In a very long book such as this, a periodic review is helpful in remembering what you have already (supposedly) covered!] This history helps to set up this chapter. 

Since Isaiah's calling to be a prophet, Judah's kings had had to deal with the brewing situation of a power alliance between Syria and northern neighbor Israel. Both nations had banded together with the hope of thwarting takeover threats by Assyria. The countries believed that having Judah on board with them would secure victory. Problem was that Judah's kings would not play ball. So, the two-nation alliance threatened to invade Judah to forcibly bring about their own triune. Recall King Ahaz--King Panic and not one to follow Godly counsel--who disregarded Isaiah's prophecy:

"...Thus says the Lord God: 'It shall not stand nor shall it come to pass. For the head of Aram is Damascus and the head of Damascus is Rezin (now within another 65 years Ephraim will be shattered, so that it is no longer a people)....'"

--Isaiah 7: 7 and 8 

Rather than listen to God, Ahaz did his own force play, aligning Judah with Assyria.

 

Isaiah steps in now, during King Hezekiah's reign, saying that "Damascus is about to be removed from being a city...." (vs. 1) Even before the prophet forthtold its demise, Amos, the sheep-herder prophet to Israel, had already prophesied its fall:

"Thus says the Lord, 

'For three transgressions of Damascus and for four
I will not revoke its punishment,
Because they threshed Gilead with implements of sharp iron.
'So I will send fire upon the house of Hazael
And it will consume the citadels of Ben-hadad.
'I will also break the gate bar of Damascus,
And cut off the inhabitant from the valley of Aven,
And him who holds the scepter, from Beth-eden;
So the people of Aram will go exiled to Kir,'
Says the Lord."

--Amos 1: 3-5

  

The word had been pronounced; it was just a matter of timing. Isaiah's bringing the same word, again, should have alerted people that the time was yet nearer. Damascus would not just face destruction, but would become "a fallen ruin." (The King James' Version uses "ruinous heap.")

In verse 2, not only Damascus will suffer, but also the cities of the areas of Aroer would be "forsaken." 

 

Aroer was the area on Syria's southernmost border, on the Arnon River--just north of Moab's northernmost border. (You can see Jazer and Elealah on the map.) So, we have an appreciation through the text that Isaiah is referring to the larger physical boundaries of Syria and not just the heart of these cities. At one time, Aroer was under possession of Gad, one of the tribes of Israel, who moved into the area seeking to establish a place to raise  families--especially  children--and livestock, of which they were rich in number. (Numbers 32)

 

Given why Gad sought to stay put in the region sheds light on the rest of verse 2: "They will be for flocks to lie down in, and there will be no one to frighten them." The pastoral land of Aroer will continue to host livestock, only there will be no people, or reason to flee--as all will be gone.

 

Damascus will lose its "sovereignty" among other nations (vs. 3), meaning that any power it once held would be taken. We've already read that Rezin's kingly term came with a terminal limit. Damascus held the reigns in instigating the alliance with Israel, for which it would face God's wrath and judgment. If there were any inkling of a thought that Ephraim's (Israel's) "friend of God" status would keep Damascus' toll to a minimum, Isaiah says no way: These cities will be "like the glory of the sons of Israel." (vs. 3)

 

On the surface, you would think that was a good thing. Of course, at one time, it was the best thing! Israel had had a reputation. Israel had a history. Israel had The Glory! But Israel's sin--worshiping idols and the lack of full reliance on God--tarnished the picture of His Glory resting upon His people. Long gone, and it would also seem long forgotten, were the days when the physical presence of the Glory of God (Shekinah) was with His people. As we said in last week's post about the mighty days of Moab, the glory was fading, and judgment was coming--for Israel and for Syria.

"'The remnant of Syria shall be as the glory of the children of Israel; those few that remain of the Syrians shall be in as mean and despicable a condition as the children of Israel are, and the glory of Israel shall be no relief or reputation to them.' Sinful confederacies will be no strength, no stay, to the confederates, when God’s judgments come upon them."

--Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible

 


As with Moab, a similarly sized remnant will be found in Syria, also. ...'Til next Wednesday!

Photo: twilark.wordpress.com, http://bibleatlas.org/regional/aroer_2.htm

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Next week:  Isaiah 17: 4-6
 
Note: I read from the New American Standard Bible translation,
specifically, The MacArthur Study Bible (NASB).
I will quote other sources if used in a post.
I also use Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
(with notes from the King James Version).

Isaiah 9: 8-12

God’s Anger with Israel’s Arrogance

⁸ The Lord sends a message against Jacob,
And it falls on Israel.
⁹ And all the people know it,
That is, Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria,
Asserting in pride and in arrogance of heart:
¹⁰ “The bricks have fallen down,
But we will rebuild with smooth stones;
The sycamores have been cut down,
But we will replace them with cedars.”
¹¹ Therefore the Lord raises against them adversaries from Rezin
And spurs their enemies on,
¹² The Arameans on the east and the Philistines on the west;
And they devour Israel with gaping jaws.

In spite of all this, His anger does not turn away
And His hand is still stretched out.

There are many times when I appreciate the subheads contained within chapters of Scripture. As with other forms of documentation, subheads break up large amounts of text. They make it easier to read, to know what is contained within a section and to help remember where certain passages are. But, the original text of the Bible was not written with these subheads, and, sometimes, the editors'/translators' choices are curious.

My study Bible explains that Isaiah 9:8 begins a poem, which runs several stanzas through 10:4--which is after a new chapter subhead while 10:5 does not contain a new subhead. You might think a poem would stand on its own. But, I'm not a Biblical scholar/editor/translator. Just so you know what you're reading!

You will recognize the refrain of the poem, which is found in verse 12, and will be repeated throughout the poem. We first read it as part of Isaiah 5:25--

"On this account the anger of the Lord has burned against His people,
And He has stretched out His hand against them and struck them down. 
And the mountains quaked, and their corpses lay like refuse in the middle of the streets.
For all this His anger is not spent,
But His hand is still stretched out."

^{--Isaiah 5:25 (italics mine)}

^{The Lord's discipline is still to be completed.}

^{Back to the top, verse 8, "the Lord sends a message against Jacob...." We know that Jacob was the father of sons representing the original 12 tribes of Israel. God changed Jacob's name to Israel ("...For you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed."--Genesis 32:28b) after Jacob wrestled with Him. The second part of verse 8 further clarifies: "It falls on Israel," meaning the Northern Kingdom, the 10 tribes (as opposed to Judah, the Southern Kingdom). To make that even more specific, in verse 9, Isaiah uses 'Ephraim' for the nation of Israel and those of its capital city, "Samaria."}

^{What was the word sent forth? Prophets and others had told the nation of its "pride and arrogance of heart." As we learned from studying Amos and Hosea--prophets to Israel--the nation had a massive struggle with its self-sufficient nature. It had worked itself up to a stage of not finding a need for God, all the while building up its city walls and fortresses, and giving itself every good pleasure for living. Besides 'haughtiness' and 'highhandedness,' it seems appropriate to find 'lordiness' listed as synonymns for 'arrogance.' [Dictionary.com] Israel was lord of itself, despite the words of Truth handed down through its messengers. Striving took on a whole new emphasis.}

"Boast no more so very proudly,

Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth;

For the Lord is a God of knowledge,

And with Him actions are weighed."

--I Samuel 2:3 (from Hannah's "Song of Thanksgiving")

^{The actions of people are weighed before God, and God's actions should be weighty matters when they fall upon His people! "All the people will know it," returning to verse 9. If they hadn't learned through the words of God's messengers, God would demonstrate His point through His actions.}

^{"Those are ripening apace for ruin whose hearts are unhumbled under humbling providences; for God will walk contrary to those who thus walk contrary to him and provoke him to jealousy, as if they were stronger than he."}

^{--Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible}

^{Verse 10 is a response by Israel to what God has been trying to tell them about their heart. "If there is trouble to come, Lord, no problem. We can handle it. If the nations tear down our homes, we'll rebuild, and rebuild even better than before! We'll use 'smooth' or 'hewn' (King James Version) stones and long-lasting, sturdy cedar instead of the fickle sycamore. It's OK, Lord. Thanks, anyway. We got this!"} Again, Israel's take-charge ways would get the best of them.

^{In verse 11, God tells how. He plans to send in forces which are Rezin's (king of Syria) adversaries. That would be the Assyrians. The Syrians or "Arameans" would also be involved, as would the Philistines who carried a long battle history. God was raising up forces all around. Where's your mighty fortress now?}

^{"Did we in our own strength confide,}

^{our striving would be losing,}

^{were not the right man on our side,}

^{the man of God's own choosing...."}

^{--from A Mighty Fortress is Our God (lyrics by Martin Luther)}

 

^{"Therefore, they will now go into exile at the head of the exiles,
And the sprawlers’ banqueting will pass away.}

The Lord God has sworn by Himself, the Lord God of hosts has declared: 

'I loathe the arrogance of Jacob,
And detest his citadels;
Therefore I will deliver up the city and all it contains.'"

--Amos 6: 7 and 8 

The poem continues.... 'Til next Wednesday. (And thanks for your patience in waiting a day, as I had seasonal service opportunities not to be missed yesterday!).... 

Photo: www.keyway.ca

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Next week: Isaiah 9: 13-17

Note: I read from the New American Standard Bible translation,
specifically, The MacArthur Study Bible (NASB).
I will quote other sources if used in a post.
I also use Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
(with notes from the King James Version).

Isaiah 8: 5-8

 

⁵ Again the Lord spoke to me further, saying,

⁶ “Inasmuch as these people have rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah
And rejoice in Rezin and the son of Remaliah;
⁷ Now therefore, behold, the Lord is about to bring on them 

the strong and abundant waters of the Euphrates,
Even the king of Assyria and all his glory;
And it will rise up over all its channels and go over all its banks.
⁸ Then it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass through,
It will reach even to the neck;
And the spread of its wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel."

Isaiah has shared the Word from God that Syria and the Northern Kingdom are going to be invaded, its people left to face death or captivity at the hand of the Assyrian Empire. The prophet opens today's passage in Chapter 8 saying, "Again the Lord spoke to me further...." (vs. 5) A direct word for Judah!

"Inasmuch as these people have rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoice in Rezin and the son of Remaliah...."

--vs. 6

My study Bible defines Shiloah as a small stream that had its beginnings at the Gihon Spring outside Jerusalem's city wall. The stream flowed into the city, its waters gathering at the Pool of Siloam. ["Siloam, the only perennial fountain of Jerusalem, and symbolic of God’s protection and sustaining power."--from vs. 6, Amplified Bible] You might recall Siloam as being the pool at which Jesus told a blind man to wash his eyes as part of His miraculous healing process. [John 9] Hold this reference for just a moment as we finish reviewing the rest of the verse.

"These people"..."rejoice in Rezin and the son of Remaliah." In the Hebrew, "these people" actually is expressed in a singular form, meaning "this people." With Isaiah speaking to the people of Judah, it is very likely that this is a direct address to the nation. Remember from past weeks the names of Judah's enemies--Rezin, king of Syria; and the son of Remaliah, or Pekah, the king of Israel. As much as these nations were invaders of Judah and whose alliance posed a continued threat to the nation, the people yet found reason to "rejoice" in them.

"...They cried them up as brave men, magnified their policies and strength, applauded their conduct, were well pleased with their successes, and were hearty well-wishers to their designs, and resolved to desert and go over to them. Such vipers does many a state foster in its bosom, that eat its bread, and yet adhere to its enemies, and are ready to quit its interests if they but seem to totter."

--Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

God, of course, is not supportive of Judah's choices. Isaiah, using another strong comparative metaphor, says that He will "bring on them [Judah] the strong and abundant waters of the Euphrates...." (vs. 7) Take a look at the picture up top. No, it's not the Nile, but the Euphrates certainly is a mighty river! Look how much territory it covers. What strikes me most, as I read into verse 8, is that this is the river that is going to "sweep on into Judah." If this were a literal reference, that would be quite a flood!

It is not a literal reference, but the effect of the flood is no less powerful and wide-sweeping. Go back to verse 7 as we see "the king of Assyria and all his glory" pegged for the Euphrates. Even though Judah had temporary safety, as King Ahaz aligned himself with Tiglath-pileser of the Assyrian Empire, this was not an alliance of trust--nor of earthly control. Do note, again, that "the Lord will bring upon them" the perils of the Assyrian armies. Judah was not going to escape punishment for its heinously sinful living and rejection of God. They would long for the perennial safety and security of the peace-filled, gentle waters of Shiloah.

Yet, even though Judah would be devastated, it would not be completely destroyed in this invasion. "It will reach even to the neck," says verse 8. That's pretty close to the full body, but the head of the nation--Jerusalem--would be spared in the 701 B.C. onslaught. [Reformation Study Bible] Matthew Henry reminds us of the greater picture here, as God still has plans for His people:

"Note, In the greatest deluge of trouble God can and will keep the head of his people above water, and so preserve their comforts and spiritual lives; the waters that come into their souls may reach to the neck, but there shall their proud waves be stayed."

--Mathew Henry

"Save me, O God,
For the waters have threatened my life.
I have sunk in deep mire, and there is no foothold;
I have come into deep waters, and a flood overflows me....
O God, it is You who knows my folly,
And my wrongs are not hidden from You."

--Psalm 69:1, 2 and 5

One of the clues to a bigger picture is the closing reference to 'Immanuel.' Yes, the prophet is referring to Jesus here. What a picture the Son has to see! The land of His birthplace, His earthly home, His place of ministry. I wonder if this first picture didn't come to His mind when He wept over it while He was in the flesh. "The breadth of Your land," says verse 8, will endure great hardship and devastation, "the spread of its [Assyria's] wings" to cover and control. Do you remember what He said when He wept over Jerusalem, how He offered His safety and protection?

"'Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate!'"

--Matthew 23:37 and 38 (emphasis mine)

The prophet says--next week--that there is coming a time of peace and security for some, but not before the "chicks" are scattered.

"A believing remnant".... 'Til next Wednesday!

Photo: biblestudy.org

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Next week: Isaiah 8:9-12

Note: I read from the New American Standard Bible translation,
specifically, The MacArthur Study Bible (NASB).
I will quote other sources if used in a post.
I also use Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
(with notes from the King James Version).

Isaiah 7: 5-9

 

⁵ Because Aram, with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has planned evil against you, saying, ⁶ “Let us go up against Judah and terrorize it, and make for ourselves a breach in its walls and set up the son of Tabeel as king in the midst of it,”  
⁷ thus says the Lord God: “It shall not stand nor shall it come to pass.  
⁸ For the head of Aram is Damascus and the head of Damascus is Rezin (now within another 65 years Ephraim will be shattered, so that it is no longer a people),
⁹ and the head of Ephraim is Samaria and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. 
If you will not believe, you surely shall not last.”’”

You may wish to review last week's post if last week's names have escaped you. We'll be picking up our story of the pending war against Jerusalem in Isaiah, Chapter 7, right where we left it. In fact, God reviews the story for us in verses 5 and 6. Aram [Syria, under Rezin] and Israel [Ephraim--10 Northern tribes of Israel, under Pekah] have joined forces to launch an attack on Judah--all to strengthen themselves against the mighty presence of King Tilgeth-Pileser of Assyria.

A new piece of information that was not in last week's passage is the last part of verse 6: "...and set up the son of Tabeel as king in the midst of it." It is unclear if Tabeel resided in Aram or Ephraim, but the son of this man is the allied invaders' choice to place in the throne after Ahaz is deposed. Interestingly enough, Tabeel means "God is good" in Hebrew.

And God says, "It ain't happenin'!"

Not only does Judah's King Ahaz hear that he should not fear or be fainthearted, but the plans of these opposing kings will not go forward. God tells him so.

"Why are the nations in an uproar
And the peoples devising a vain thing?

The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together

Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,

'Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!'

He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them."

--Psalm 2: 1-4

Beyond His affirmation, He explains to Ahaz that He has determined the boundaries for Rezin and Pekah, and they do not extend beyond the turf they already have. "The head of Aram is Damascus [capital city] and the head of Damascus is Rezin...," (vs 8) "...and the head of Ephraim is Samaria [capital city] and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah [Pekah]." (vs 9)

"...As God has appointed men the bounds of their habitation (Acts 17:26), so he has appointed princes the bounds of their dominion, within which they ought to confine themselves, and not encroach upon their neighbours’ rights."

--Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

Not to mention that there is judgment coming down on Israel that will have a major influence on such plans. The prophet Amos foretold Israel's collapse at God's hand after their rampant idol worship. ("Since Israel is stubborn like a stubborn heifer, can the Lord now pasture them like a lamb in a large field? Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone."--Amos 4:16 and 17) Isaiah says that within 65 years, "Ephraim will be shattered...." (vs 8) Although there is some confusion as to whether that is a solid 65 years and from what point in time it begins, the prophets' words would prove true, and collapse did occur. Assyria swoops in to take the Israelites to captivity in 722 B.C., replacing the land with foreigners.

"The king of Assyria brought men from Babylon and from Cuthah and from Avva and from Hamath and Sepharvaim, and settled them in the cities of Samaria in place of the sons of Israel. So they possessed Samaria and lived in its cities."

--II Kings 17:24

For me, the most powerful line of today's passage comes in the second half of verse 9: "If you will not believe, you surely shall not last." God was speaking of all of Judah, but, He also was cutting straight to Ahaz's heart with this statement. Even with all of the good word Isaiah had given to the king, God knew that he wasn't going to take what He said without some thought. God knew the faith block to Ahaz's heart stood strong, yet he offered the king the opportunity for relationship, even as He was offering him and God's people safety.

Even if he had trouble accepting God's word straightaway, would Ahaz consider his plight through the example of King Jehoshaphat--8 kings of Judah before him--who faced a similar situation? With Moabites, Ammonites and Edomites all threatening, Jehoshaphat expressed fear, but "turned his attention to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah." (vs 3, from II Chronicles 20, the chapter from which all of the following quotes are taken.) He led the people in prayer: "For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” (vs 12b)

The Lord responded to Jehoshaphat's faithfulness and prayerful response saying that Judah did not need to fear, "for the battle is not yours but God’s." (vs 15) The king then turned to the people, saying, "Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the Lord your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.” (vs 20) God then set ambushes which caused the enemies to destroy themselves, leaving nothing but corpses by the time the forces of Judah had come forward to attack.

King Ahaz had the opportunity to keep the people of Judah "established" where they were, to bring success in His trusting of God's word through His prophet. He had been told how the "smoldering firebrands" would not leave their ashen mark upon him, the people or the land. Did Ahaz believe? How did Ahaz respond?

"Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.

Worship the Lord with reverence
And rejoice with trembling. 

Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!"

--Psalm 2: 10-12

We'll find out next week. (Doh! Sorry, I know, another cliff-hanger!)



"The Child Immanuel"--Ahaz's response brings one of Isaiah's most important prophecies to the surface.... 'Til next Wednesday!

Photo: russjones.us

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Next week: Isaiah 7: 10-16

Note: I read from the New American Standard Bible translation,
specifically, The MacArthur Study Bible (NASB).
I will quote other sources if used in a post.
I also use Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
(with notes from the King James Version).

Isaiah 7: 1-4

 Isaiah 7:1-4

War against Jerusalem

¹ Now it came about in the days of Ahaz, the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Aram and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but could not conquer it. 

² When it was reported to the house of David, saying, “The Arameans have camped in Ephraim,” his heart and the hearts of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake with the wind.

³ Then the Lord said to Isaiah, “Go out now to meet Ahaz, you and your son Shear-jashub, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, on the highway to the fuller’s field,
⁴ and say to him, ‘Take care and be calm, have no fear and do not be fainthearted because of these two stubs of smoldering firebrands, on account of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and the son of Remaliah.

It is hard to leave Chapter 6 of Isaiah, as I easily could have read something from the prophet regarding his inner thoughts on his vision. In fact, dining with Isaiah after that moment would have been an amazing and most memorable meal! But, on to Chapter 7, and the tone and topic change dramatically, as you can see from the chapter's title. Lots of people and place names, so let's explore carefully, today, with that in mind, using the map above and making connections as the Holy Spirit allows.

There are three key people mentioned in the passage, and one who is not mentioned:

Ahaz--He is the king of Judah at the time of this war against Jerusalem. But, note, he is the third king to rule during the prophecy of Isaiah. (We have jumped in time since King Uzziah's death in Chapter 6. In fact, there are no recorded prophecies from Isaiah during the reign of Uzziah's son, Jotham.) Unlike Jotham and Uzziah--Ahaz's father and grandfather, respectively--Ahaz "did not do right in the sight of the Lord" (II Chronicles 28: 1).

Rezin--He is the king of Aram, the capital of which is Damascus and which we now know as Syria.

Pekah--He is the king of Israel, which does not mean the entire nation of Israel here, but, rather, the 10 Northern tribes of Israel, (Ephraim being the largest tribe and often used as a name for Israel). His father is Remaliah.

Tilgath-pilneser (unmentioned)--He is the king of Assyria and plays a role in causing these kings to respond as they do.

Tilgath-pilneser had planned to invade Israel during Azariah's reign in Judah, but a bribe by Menahem, then king of Israel, cooled off things for awhile. The Assyrian Empire was a huge presence to both Israel and Aram, which is why both of those nations eventually formed an alliance. And, why stop at two nations against a powerhouse when you could potentially have three. So, Rezin and Pekah decide that an attack on Judah would be profitable. God, who is angered by Judah's rebellious nature, allows them victory for a time--specifically, at the close of King Jotham's reign (II Chronicles 28), before Ahaz comes to the throne. The nations are then poised to take on Jerusalem, but, at the time of Isaiah's writing, the nations are unsuccessful. (Isa. 7:1)

Judah was not in a position to withstand an attack by Tilgath-pilneser, certainly, much less the continued threats of Rezin and Pekah. This all started to weigh on Ahaz's strategic thinking. As verse 2 reports, "'The Arameans have camped in Ephraim'" his [Ahaz's] heart and the hearts of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake with the wind." Palpable fear, at their own doing.

"They had made God their enemy, and knew not how to make him their friend, and therefore their fears tyrannised over them; while those whose consciences are kept void of offence, and whose hearts are fixed, trusting in God, need not be afraid of evil tidings; though the earth be removed, yet will not they fear; but the wicked flee at the shaking of a leaf." (Leviticus 26:36)

--Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

Now, check out this next part: "Then the Lord said to Isaiah...." So, God is going to intervene at this time through Isaiah. Did He have to? He's got an evil king on the throne. But, catch verse 2, it is the "house of David" that is on the throne, even if the current king is evil. God intervened for the sake of His people! Isaiah is told to go with his son to meet Ahaz. Names are terribly significant in Scripture, and Isaiah's son's name is no exception: Shear-jashub, which means "a remnant shall return." Wow! Echoes what Isaiah was hearing in his vision from God--a key message of his prophecy.

Just a short note on the location for this meeting. They were to meet Ahaz "on the highway to the fuller's field." A fuller, according to the Encyclopedia of the Bible, is "one who cleans, shrinks, and thickens newly shorn wool or cloth." The cleaning process in preparing the wool or cloth was messy and stinky, apparently, so the fuller's work was done in a place outside of the city and near a source of water. [I was also wondering if Fuller, of Fuller Brush Company, had any relationship to 'fuller.' Cannot find any definitive link, but it is an interesting parallel.]

Moving on to the Lord's actual words, in verse 4, "'Take care and be calm, have no fear....'" Now, if you were the leader of a nation surrounded by challenging forces and heavy artillery, standing with a multi-king-serving prophet of the living God and his son, who carries the eternal prophecy for your people, would these not be words that would bring huge relief? Ponder that....

Finishing today's passage, the description of Rezin and Pekah is so over-the-top, you almost can't believe it's for real from God: "...these two stubs of smoldering firebrands...." Literally, a firebrand is the burnt end of a stick, and this says "stubs" of sticks. In other words, "Ahaz, these guys are not a problem. I've got this one," says the Lord.

And what does Ahaz say? [Sorry, we're just not there yet!]


More background on our "smoldering firebrands".... 'Til next Wednesday!

Photo: sareltours.com

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Next week: Isaiah 7: 5-9

Note: I read from the New American Standard Bible translation,
specifically, The MacArthur Study Bible (NASB).
I will quote other sources if used in a post.
I also use Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
(with notes from the King James Version).