OUR FATHER WHO GIVES US ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

When Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah based in Jerusalem, king Rezin of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel, formed an alliance so that they could march against the kingdom of Judah and divide it among themselves

King Ahaz and the people of Judah was shaken to the core when they learned of the alliance that had been formed against them. 

It was then that the Lord instructed Isaiah to take a message of encouragement to King Ahaz as recorded in Isaiah chapter 7 verses 4 - 5;

Say to him, ‘Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah’s son have plotted your ruin-,

The Lord said to king Ahaz that if he stood firm in faith, the  combined power of king Rezin and king Pekah would add up to nothing.

Isaiah chapter 7 verses 7 - 9 said it this way;

“‘It will not take place,  it will not happen, for the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is only Rezin.

Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people. The head of Ephraim is Samaria,  and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah’s son.

If you do not stand firm in your faith,you will not stand at all.’”

Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord gave this reassurance to King Ahaz and the Lord offered to show King Ahaz a sign to confirm His word of salvation from destruction if he asked for it.

King Ahaz declined to ask the Lord for a sign because he said he did not want to put the Lord his God to the test even though it was the Lord Himself who told him to ask for a sign.

Isaiah was irritated by King Ahaz for this response saying to him in Isaiah chapter 7 verse 13;

 Hear now, house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 

Isaiah then went on to prophecy one of the most profound and consequential signs of the salvation of mankind ever recorded which is found in Isaiah chapter 7 verse 14;

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Amen.

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