(1) The background of the prophecy 7:12-13
12 But Ahaz responded, “I don’t want to ask; I don’t want to put the LORD to a test.” 13 So Isaiah replied, “Pay attention, family of David. (NET-The address to the “house of David” is designed to remind Ahaz and his royal court of the protection promised to them through the Davidic covenant. The king’s refusal to claim God’s promise magnifies his lack of faith.) Do you consider it too insignificant to try the patience of men? Is that why you are also trying the patience of my God? (EBC-Ahaz may have been the current occupant of the divinely secured throne of David; but it was incumbent on him to hear the divine word through the prophet who, unlike him, was in a sensitive and responsive relationship with God. It was that relationship that made the king’s rejection of the prophetic word a trial of God’s patience and not simply man’s. God was weary of his unbelief)
(2) the prophecy v.14-15
14 For this reason the Lord himself will give you a confirming sign. (BDB-promised by prophets as pledges of certain predicted events. NET-The Hebrew term אוֹת (’ot, “sign”) can refer to a miraculous event (see v. 11), but it does not carry this sense inherently. Elsewhere in Isaiah the word usually refers to a natural occurrence or an object/person vested with special significance (see 8:18; 19:20; 20:3; 37:30; 55:13; 66:19). Only in 38:7–8, 22 does it refer to a miraculous deed that involves suspending or overriding natural laws. The sign outlined in vv. 14–17 involves God’s providential control over events and their timing, but not necessarily miraculous intervention.) Look, this young woman is about to conceive and will give birth to a son. You, young woman, will name him Immanuel. 15 He will eat sour milk and honey, which will help him know how to reject evil and choose what is right. (NET) The following context indicates that sour milk and honey will epitomize the devastation that God’s judgment will bring upon the land. Cultivated crops will be gone and the people will be forced to live off the milk produced by their goats and the honey they find in the thickets. As the child is forced to eat a steady diet of this sour milk and honey, he will be reminded of the consequences of sin and motivated to make correct moral decisions in order to avoid further outbreaks of divine discipline.
(3) The judgment v.16-17
16 Here is why this will be so: Before the child knows how to reject evil and choose what is right, the land whose two kings you fear will be desolate. 17 The LORD will bring on you, your people, and your father’s family a time unlike any since Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria!”
(NET) The curds and honey will be signs of deprivation, not prosperity, the relief announced in verse 16 will be short-lived, and the new era will be characterized by unprecedented humiliation, not a return to glory. Because of Ahaz’s refusal to trust the Lord, potential blessing would be transformed into a curse, just as Isaiah turns an apparent prophecy of salvation into a message of judgment. Because the words “the king of Assyria” are rather awkwardly tacked on to the end of the sentence, some regard them as a later addition. However, the very awkwardness facilitates the prophet’s rhetorical strategy here, as he suddenly turns what sounds like a positive message into a judgment speech. Actually, “the king of Assyria,” stands in apposition to the earlier object “days,” and specifies who the main character of these coming “days” will be.
Summary and Reflection: As a king in the family of David, Ahaz was in a covenant position of God, but he abandoned that. He feared what the world fear, but he did not fear God. He did not believe that what the prophet said would come true. Therefore, he did not ask for a confirming sign from God. God's prophecy would come true, but Ahaz would be judged for his unbelieved, i.e. the 2 invading countries would be desolated, but Judah would have an even stronger enemy-Assyria.
Have I abandoned my opportunities to fear God and trust in His word? Do I trust God's word and no need to fear man? God's judgment for man's unbelief is still true today. Do I have any unbelief in God?
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