Perhaps the main message of this chapter is that we must trust in
the Lord in spite of the threats of mortals. What an important message for our
day!
“The prophecy in this section was delivered on the occasion of
Isaiah’s first interview with wicked King Ahaz (ruled 734-715 BC), after the
first alarm had reached Jerusalem that invasion was imminent by the combined
forces of Israel and Syria. (734 BC) The king was apparently supervising the
measures being taken to ensure a water supply for the city in the event of a
siege, when Isaiah received the command to go with his son Shearjashub.
Rezin king of Syria and Pekah king of Israel tried to persuade
Ahaz king of Judah to ally with them against Assyria, their neighboring
superpower. Meanwhile, Isaiah pleaded with Ahaz to trust the Lord for
deliverance from the invading armies. Ahaz rejected Isaiah’s spiritual counsel
and won the support of Tiglathpilesar III, king of Assyria, who in 732 B.C.
invaded the Northern Kingdom of Israel and captured many cities (2 Kings 15:29;
16:7-9). Because Ahaz rejected Isaiah’s plan, the armies of Rezin and Pekah
invaded Judah, slew 125,000 warriors, and carried away some 200,000 women and
children. Judah was slaughtered, because, in part, of the great sins of her
king and people”. 2 CHR. 28:6-15 (Parry, p.
68-69.)
For historical background read 2 Kings 15:27-17:24
Vs. 1 - Ahaz-(short for Jehoahaz=Jehovah was held) King of Judah (735-715
BC) Son of Jotham and father of Hezekiah. Wicked- burned children in the fire
(2 Chron. 28:3)
Rezin- King of Syria. Together with Pekah rebelled vs. Assyria.
Killed in battle with Assyria. (2 Kings 16:7-9)
Pekah- King of Israel. Son of Remaliah. Rebelled vs., overthrew
and assassinated Pekahiah (King of Israel) Reined for about 5 years (737-732
BC). Was assassinated by Hoshea.(not the prophet) who was king when Israel was
taken into bondage by Assyria. (Lost 10 tribes) There has already been a
preliminary attack of Judah when this chapter takes place.
Vs. 2 - Judah is scared of this
confederation. Ephraim is the most dominant or leader of the northern tribes of
Israel.
Vs. 3 - Shearjashub’s name means a
remnant shall return. There is a message of hope in his name. The king may have
been checking the water supply in anticipation of the upcoming war. Fullers
were those who cleansed and whitened garments in large tubs.
Vs. 4 - Isn't this the message of
prophets today? Don't worry-be happy! A firebrand is smoldering wood or a
torch. The Lord calls those kings, torches whose flames are gone out.
Vs. 5, 6, 7 - Those two kings have a plan to
dethrone Ahaz and put the son of Tabeal (god is good-unknown) in his stead.
Their plan will not fly.
Vs. 8 - Israel being taken captive
into Assyria happened within a dozen years, but the tribes becoming totally
lost apparently was to happen within 65 years. (Samaritans)
Vs. 9 - Bad things loom for Israel but
Ahaz’s disbelief will lead to the end of his dynasty (shall not be
established).
Vs. 10-12 - Ahaz refuses to ask for a sign,
either because of a lack of faith or because he had already put his trust in
Assyria. D&C 63:9-10 says that signs come by the will of God-not man. Ahaz
quotes a little scripture: Dt. 6:16.
Vs. 13 - Isaiah says,
"baloney"
Vs. 14 - The point is that even if Ahaz
wouldn’t do what he was supposed to do and the people were taken into
captivity, the Lord would still come! This is a great example of Dualism in the
fulfillment of prophecy. Isaiah’s wife, who as a symbol of the Virgin Mary,
would conceive and have a son who would be a type of the Savior. When the
Savior comes then Immanuel = God is with us. VS. 14 - See Matt.
1:23-25;I Ne. 11:13-21; Alma 7:10. "The term virgin describes both one who
is physically untouched and one who is pure and undefiled by the world.
Isaiah's wife was a virgin in the latter sense, and Mary, Jesus' mother, was a
virgin in both senses. the Hebrew word al'mah (despite some arguments to the
contrary) does indeed mean "virgin." (Parry p. 75)
Vs. 15 - Butter and honey are symbolic
foods of a humble people.
Vs. 16-25 contain the word of the Lord
concerning contemporary events.
Vs. 16 - Before Mahershalalhashbaz (if
he was the above mentioned son) would arrive at the age of accountability those
kings and their people would be captured by Assyria. (2 Kings 15:29-30; 16:9).
Fulfillment - Syria & Israel were plundered, and both Pekah and Rezin were
killed within 3 years.
Vs. 17 - Bad things lie ahead.
Fulfillment: Sennacherib (Assyrian King) would lay siege to Judah &
Jerusalem in 701 BC.
Vs. 18,19 - Judah was a bone of contention
between Egypt (the fly, zebub), and
Assyria (the bee, dvoray); they would
swarm all over Israel. An attacking bee can sting, and a fly can carry plague.
(Ogden p. 201) You won't be able to hide!
Vs. 20 - Isaiah used a metaphor
teaching that God would use Assyria to chastise his people. Ahaz bribed the
Assyrians to destroy his enemies, Syrian and Israel. God will use that same
instrument (Assyria) to punish Judah. Shaving captives is to humiliate them.
Shaving the beard is worse for Israelites (2 Sam. 10:4-5). The hair of the feet
= the hair of the legs, a euphemism for the genital area. (Ogden p. 201)
Vs. 21 - Poverty, no crops, no big
herds.
Vs. 22 - no crops, just dairy and honey
from bees.
Vs. 23 - destroyed vineyards (big ones)
Vs. 24 - no crops so hunters will be
necessary
Vs. 25 - mattock=hoe - Another
reference to grazing animals replacing crops. It speaks of a time when there
will not be cities and civilization, but herdsmen of lesser cattle, i.e., sheep
or goats.
|
Country
|
Judah
|
Syria
|
Israel
|
|
Capital City
|
Jerusalem
|
Damascus
|
Samaria
|
|
Territory or Tribe
|
Judah
|
Aram
|
Ephraim
|
|
Leader
|
Ahaz, son of
Jotham, of the house of David
|
Rezin
|
Pekah, son of
Remaliah
|
