November 25: GOD WITH US
Now it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to make war against it, but could not prevail against it. Isaiah 7:1
Young King Ahaz, grandson of Uzziah, was inexperienced; age 20 when he became Judah’s king. This opening verse announces that Israel and Syria united against Judah. Incredible!
A little background is necessary here. The tallest shadow over all nations of the known world at this time was Assyria, led by Tiglath-pileser III, who aggressively sought to expand his domain. Syria and Israel felt the threat of annihilation and united in a stand against Assyria. These two “bed partners” felt that Judah should join their alliance, but neither the people of Judah nor King Ahaz wanted to join. Syria and Israel were so desperate that they would not take “no” for an answer. They made a plan to force Judah into their alliance by deposing Ahaz and placing a puppet ruler whom they could control (vv.5-6). So they marched their combined armies to Jerusalem and besieged it (2 Kings 16:5). Behind this plan was Satan; he was plotting to crush the dynasty of David (through whom the promised Savior would come) out of existence.
And it was told to the house of David, saying, “Syria’s forces are deployed in Ephraim.” So his heart and the heart of his people were moved as the trees of the woods are moved with the wind (v.2).
Today we might say that Ahaz and Judah were “shaking in their boots.” This was a wonderful opportunity for Ahaz to turn to God. We’ve seen already (v.1) that the Syrian/Israeli alliance would not be allowed to prevail against Judah. Their evil plan “shall not stand, Nor shall it come to pass” according to the Lord GOD (v.7). God sent Isaiah to meet Ahaz, to comfort him regarding the threat (vv.3-4) and give him a prophetic peek into the future to share with Ahaz (vv.8-9). In addition, the LORD encouraged Ahaz to ask for a sign that he could be certain of ongoing divine involvement. But proud Ahaz refused that opportunity! Incredibly, he decided to submit to Assyria in exchange for their protection. He went “all in”, so to speak! Even though God was already protecting Judah from the siege of the Syrian/Israeli alliance, Ahaz sent a handsome bribe to Tiglath-pileser along with a message declaring allegiance to him and pleading for protection from his attackers, Syria and Israel (see 2 Kings 16:7-8).
Now, as a member of the Davidic dynasty, Ahaz was well-informed regarding the divine promise of the Messiah to come through that line. And what a mistake to spurn God’s gracious offer of a sign! The allegiance of Ahaz given to the Assyrian power came at a terrible cost and brought no benefit (see 2 Chronicles 28:20-22). The rejection of God’s protection and assurances, in a spiritual sense, was suicidal. Nevertheless, the God of heaven followed up for the sake of all who would listen:
Therefore 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