Isaiah 7:1-25

Isaiah: God controls the nations

Isaiah declares how God’s people should be living

Isaiah Chapter s 1 to 9

Norman Hillyer

Chapter 7

From now on in the Book of Isaiah, the names Israel and Ephraim and Samaria all refer to the northern half of the land that God promised to his special people. The southern half of the land is called Judah, and includes *Jerusalem, David’s capital. The nation split into these two separate nations after the death of Solomon (see 1 Kings 10:1-16).

• Chapter s 7 to 12 all refer to the need to trust in God, and not in politics. That is, not to make agreements with other countries against a common enemy. It is far safer for the people of God to trust God for their protection.

God’s message to Ahaz

v1 Ahaz was the son of Jotham and grandson of Uzziah. While Ahaz was king of Judah, Rezin and Pekah attacked *Jerusalem. But they could not overcome it. Rezin was the king of Syria. Pekah (the son of Remaliah) was the king of Israel. v2 Syria and Israel had agreed to attack Judah together. When the king of Judah and his people heard the news, they all trembled. They trembled like the trees of the forest shake in the wind. v3 Then the *Lord said to Isaiah, ‘Go with your son, called Shear-jashub, to meet Ahaz. The king will be at the end of the ditch. That ditch brings water from the upper pool on the road. And it continues to the Laundry Field. v4 Tell Ahaz to keep calm. He is not to be afraid of Rezin and Pekah. They are very angry. But they are both only like a fire that is nearly out. v5 Syria and Ephraim (Israel) have made an evil plot against you. v6 They are saying, “Let us march against Judah and overcome it. Let us *seize it and make the son of Tabeal the king there.” v7 The *Lord declares that the plot will not succeed. It will not happen. v8-9 Damascus is just the capital of Syria. King Rezin rules only in Syria. Samaria is just the capital of Israel. King Pekah rules only in Samaria. But in less than 65 years, Israel will no longer exist. And if Ahaz and his officials do not believe me, they too will suffer defeat.’