Isaiah 7

“If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established.” (Isaiah 7:9, NKJV)

It is remarkable how much emphasis God places on faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). We are justified by faith when we believe in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). The things we ask for in faith we receive (Mark 11:24).

But King Ahaz of Judah was a wicked king who had no faith in Yahweh. Nevertheless, God graciously reached out to him. Ahaz was in a pickle. Both the king of Syria and the king of Israel were making war against him. The hearts of Ahaz and his people trembled with fear like trees shaking in a storm. But God told Isaiah to take his son and meet Ahaz and tell him, “Take heed, be quiet, and don’t be afraid or fainthearted.” The plots of the king of Syria and the king of Israel would come to nothing. But if king Ahaz did not stand firm in faith, then he would not stand at all.

Isaiah told Ahaz to ask the LORD for a sign. But Ahaz was so arrogant and unbelieving that he would not do it. So Isaiah said:

“The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14, ESV)

This prophecy had both a near-term and long-term fulfillment. A woman who was then a virgin would get married, conceive, and bear a son whose name would be “Immanuel.” This son would be a reminder that God was with His people and would deliver them. It is likely that this virgin was Isaiah’s second wife and that Isaiah’s second son was named both “Immanuel” and “Maher-shalal-hash-baz”, which means “swift to plunder and quick to carry away” (Isaiah 8:3). Within two years, Assyria would defeat Syria, and ten years later, the Assyrians would conquer Israel. King Ahaz had nothing to worry about if only he would believe in the word of the LORD.

However, the greatest fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy would not occur until a certain virgin of Nazareth became pregnant by the Holy Spirit and gave birth to a Son who would forever be known as “Immanuel”. As with King Ahaz, only those who believe in this word of the LORD will be established.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ as your personal Immanuel? Do you know that He is with you always? If you do not stand firm in this faith, then you will not stand at all.