Isaiah 7:10–16
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
Click to read passage
Advent reminds us that God is present and that He desires to speak to us. Yet whether we are willing to slow down, listen attentively, and truly trust Him is another matter. Today’s passage brings us into a moment of great historical tension. King Ahaz of Judah was facing the threat of foreign enemies. The nation is unstable, and his heart is filled with fear.
God takes the initiative to speak to Ahaz and even invites him, saying, “Ask a sign of the Lord your God” (v. 11). This is a rare opportunity. God is not inviting Ahaz to test Him, but graciously accommodating human weakness, offering a visible sign to strengthen his faith. Yet Ahaz replies, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” On the surface, this sounds humble, but in reality, Ahaz has already decided to rely on the power of Assyria rather than place his full trust in God.
Even so, God remains faithful. He gives a sign of His own initiative: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel,” which means “God with us.” For Judah at that time, this was a deeply personal comfort and promise. As Ahaz faced powerful enemies and political instability, this child was a reminder that even amidst danger and uncertainty, God remained in control and would not abandon His people.
The passage goes on to say that before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the lands of the two kings they feared would be deserted (v. 16). This means the crisis was not endless. God had already determined its outcome. The child eating curds and honey also suggests that even in hardship, God would preserve His people and provide for their daily needs. In other words, God’s presence is far more reliable than any earthly power.
Today, this sign finds a fuller fulfilment in Advent through the birth of Jesus Christ. God is not far away. He entered into human history, stepping into a world filled with chaos and fear. God did not wait until we were ready. He came to us in our weakness, anxiety, and uncertainty.
Are we like Ahaz at times, claiming to trust God with our lips while insisting on our own solutions in our hearts? Do we resist God’s guidance simply because His will disrupts our plans? Yet thanks be to God: even when we are weak, He remains faithful. Even when we do not ask for a sign, He still gives salvation.
Reflection:
In your current situation, where might you be saying you trust God, while inwardly holding firmly to your own way? Are you willing to let the presence of “Immanuel” enter the areas of your life where you feel the most anxious and least willing to surrender?
Prayer:
Lord, Immanuel, God with us, thank You that even in our unbelief and hesitation, You still draw near. Shine Your light on the fears and need for control within my heart. Help me not to offer only verbal obedience, but to place genuine trust in You. During this Advent season, teach me to wait, to obey, and to believe that You are truly with me. I pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Click to read passage
Advent reminds us that God is present and that He desires to speak to us. Yet whether we are willing to slow down, listen attentively, and truly trust Him is another matter. Today’s passage brings us into a moment of great historical tension. King Ahaz of Judah was facing the threat of foreign enemies. The nation is unstable, and his heart is filled with fear.
God takes the initiative to speak to Ahaz and even invites him, saying, “Ask a sign of the Lord your God” (v. 11). This is a rare opportunity. God is not inviting Ahaz to test Him, but graciously accommodating human weakness, offering a visible sign to strengthen his faith. Yet Ahaz replies, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” On the surface, this sounds humble, but in reality, Ahaz has already decided to rely on the power of Assyria rather than place his full trust in God.
Even so, God remains faithful. He gives a sign of His own initiative: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel,” which means “God with us.” For Judah at that time, this was a deeply personal comfort and promise. As Ahaz faced powerful enemies and political instability, this child was a reminder that even amidst danger and uncertainty, God remained in control and would not abandon His people.
The passage goes on to say that before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the lands of the two kings they feared would be deserted (v. 16). This means the crisis was not endless. God had already determined its outcome. The child eating curds and honey also suggests that even in hardship, God would preserve His people and provide for their daily needs. In other words, God’s presence is far more reliable than any earthly power.
Today, this sign finds a fuller fulfilment in Advent through the birth of Jesus Christ. God is not far away. He entered into human history, stepping into a world filled with chaos and fear. God did not wait until we were ready. He came to us in our weakness, anxiety, and uncertainty.
Are we like Ahaz at times, claiming to trust God with our lips while insisting on our own solutions in our hearts? Do we resist God’s guidance simply because His will disrupts our plans? Yet thanks be to God: even when we are weak, He remains faithful. Even when we do not ask for a sign, He still gives salvation.
Reflection:
In your current situation, where might you be saying you trust God, while inwardly holding firmly to your own way? Are you willing to let the presence of “Immanuel” enter the areas of your life where you feel the most anxious and least willing to surrender?
Prayer:
Lord, Immanuel, God with us, thank You that even in our unbelief and hesitation, You still draw near. Shine Your light on the fears and need for control within my heart. Help me not to offer only verbal obedience, but to place genuine trust in You. During this Advent season, teach me to wait, to obey, and to believe that You are truly with me. I pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.