God's Signs

Read Isaiah 7-9
 
Isaiah 7:14-16 All right then, the LORD himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us.’). 15 By the time this child is old enough to choose what is right and reject what is wrong, he will be eating yogurt and honey. 16 For before the child is that old, the lands of the two kings you fear so much will both be deserted.
 
IF God said to you, “I have a sign for you to assure you I will do as I say.” How would you respond? Surely an eager “Yes, LORD.” would come from your heart. Don’t we all want God’s clear sign we can trust his word? But Ahaz didn’t. When Ahaz said, “No, I will not test the LORD like that.” (verse 12) God said, “All right then, the LORD himself will give you a sign.” Whether you receive or reject God’s Word, he will do his will regardless. Isn’t it better to live in union with the Living Word?
Isaiah then spoke the sign that both Ahaz and all mankind can use to test God’s assurance.
   Perhaps you’ve heard Isaiah 7:14 often. Each Christmas season brings this to the forefront because it points to Jesus’ virgin birth. He is Immanuel, God come down, taught in Matthew 1:23 and Luke 1-2. 
   And there is more to the sign. Remember, this sign is spoken for Ahaz and his generation of Israel. God’s sign would be of little value if Ahaz would never see it. This prophecy points to both a few years and seven centuries future. 
   There are two ways the prophecy is fulfilled within a few years. The reference to yogurt and honey points to a boy living in a time when agriculture is not producing much food. During the wars against Judah, people had to survive with milk from goats and cattle. They would forage for wild food such as honey, made plentiful as flowers bloomed where crops would have grown.
   Second, God promised the lands of the two kings you fear so much will both be deserted. Within 12 years from  this prophecy, the king of Aram would be deposed, and Israel would be scattered. The two countries threatening Judah would be gone. Even as he rejected God’s help, Ahaz would see the sign of God’s care for Judah.
   The virgin referred to in the immediate fulfillment is most likely any newly married woman of that time who had no sexual relations prior to marriage. A sign would come within a few years as they had children.
          God continually wants you to believe the signs of his grace. God gave many signs to Israel throughout the centuries to assure them of his benevolent presence. As we come to know God better, we can be more alert to his signs for our lives. Some of those include encouragement from friends, circumstances around us or a quiet thought during prayer. Scripture is I AM’s constant sign to teach, warn, save and protect you. Let the LORD’s guideposts faithfully direct you to be united with him.