Sunday: Prophecy Fulfilled
In Isaiah 7:14-16, Immanuel is a sign linked to the specific dilemma of Ahaz: Before the child Immanuel would be old enough to decide between different kinds of food, “the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted” (Isa: 7:16, NRSV). This refers to the land and kings of Syria and northern Israel (see Isaiah 7.1-2, Isaiah 7:4-9) and reiterates God’s promise that their power would soon be extinguished.
Why does Isaiah mention “curds and honey” (NRSV) that the boy would have to eat? Isa: 7:15.
Image © David Sorensen at Goodsalt.com
The crops and fields of Judah would be destroyed by the Assyrians (Isa: 7:23-25). So the people, including the Old Testament Immanuel, whoever he was ( Isaiah 7.14-15), would be forced to return to the diet of nomads ( Isaiah 7.21-22). But while they would be poor, they would have enough on which to survive.
When was the prophecy regarding Syria and northern Israel fulfilled? 2 Kings 15.29-30; 2 Kings 16:7-9; 1 Chron: 5:6, 1 Chronicles 5:26.
This prophecy of Isaiah was given about 734 B.C. In response to the bribe of Ahaz, Tiglath-pileser III did what he probably would have done anyway: He smashed the northern coalition, conquered the Galilee and Transjordanian regions of northern Israel, deported some of the population, and turned the territories into Assyrian provinces (734-733 B.C.). The remainder of Israel was saved when Hoshea, after murdering King Pekah, surrendered and paid tribute. In 733 and 732 B.C. Tiglath-pileser conquered Damascus, the capital of Syria. Then he made Syria into Assyrian provinces. So, by 732, within about two years of Isaiah’s prediction, Syria and Israel had been conclusively defeated, and it was all over for the two kings who had threatened Ahaz.
Soon after Shalmaneser V replaced Tiglath-pileser III in 727 B.C., King Hoshea of Israel committed political suicide by rebelling against Assyria. The Assyrians took the capital city of Samaria in 722 B.C. and deported thousands of Israelites to Mesopotamia and Media, where they were eventually absorbed into the local populations and lost their identity (see Isa: 7:8—within 65 years Ephraim would no longer even be a people). God had predicted what would happen to the enemies of Judah, but His point to Ahaz was that this would happen anyway, without any need to rely on Assyria.
| Think, if you were living in the northern kingdom while all this was happening, how easy it would be to lose faith. What can we do, now, today, to learn to keep our faith intact, so that when tomorrow’s calamities come, we can stay firm? See 1 Pet: 1:13-25. |
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Peter tells his readers that they have been redeemed or "set free" from an empty way of life. Like Ahaz trying to solve problems his own way, I'm picturing us frantically digging our way out of a prison cell when the door is swinging wide open. Or images of chimpanzees that have been kept in cages all their lives too afraid to venture out when they are liberated. Peter's readers - they/us/we - are prisoners set free from bondage to a useless way of life handed down from our ancestors. We don't have to scrabble around worrying about our everyday problems (Matt. 6:25-33; 1 Peter 1:24-25). And not only did God free us from sin, including the sin of worry, He staked His very existence on completely paying our ransom. And not only that, but God's redeeming love in Jesus was present even before we or sin existed (1 Peter 1:18-20). Knowing my everlasting worth to God helps me in my darkest moments to trust Him, if I keep my mind fixed on this (1 Peter 1:13).
Yes to be set free we will come to the realization that
we have nothing good in ourselves. We may be discouraged with our current circumstances, feeling weak, helpless, and despairing. To find peace, love, grace, comfort, and asurence, we turn to Jesus our compassionate Saviour who meets us from a far way off arms wide open. As we approach He throws His arms of love and and His robe of righteousness around us. He presents us the the Father clothed in white garment of His own character. With greater power He pleads in our behalf. In the Lord we have found strength and righteousness, and the solution go our anxious life. Isaiah 45:24.
Getting through political and social upheaval isn’t something that will come about spontaneously. It is by a daily living connection with Christ, through the power of His Spirit that we remain solid and secure when life goes bad.
When we have no control over circumstances, relying on God’s strength, resting in His love and under His protection gives us the power to remain faithful.
Nanci- 'Getting through political and social upheaval isn’t something that will come about spontaneous.
Unless we have been through these unrest we have no idea of what they meant. When I was younger I can remember a little of it, as well as being told by my mother. She told me my country had political unrest and two different ethnic groups were fighting each other. Life was hard and a lot of killing occurred if one ethnic group of people which were the minority living in an area largely populated by the other group, some will be killed.
But it doesn't stop there but spills on to other sectors of life. As Christians when we talk about further events based on the past, many see them as a joke or says, it cant be so bad, after all the Lord will protect us. The Lord was protecting all of the great men and women mentioned in Hebrew 11:1-40 yet danger was their lot .
So true! As I stated, ‘Getting through political and social upheaval isn’t something that will come about spontaneously.’
You’re right, it’s real and as history bears out, God is with His people at all times but there have been countless saints who’ve given their lives rather than compromise during times of upheaval.
Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink...Matt 6:25-34.
Prophecy Fulfilled
What can we do, now, today, to learn to keep our faith intact, so that when tomorrow’s calamities come, we can stay firm?
See 1 Pet: 1:13-25.
Today I will like to look at our diet, yes food. What can we do with our food/the things we choose to eat/the amount and quality. Food is one of the things from creation that caused humans their predicament, it was used as a test to humans loyalty to their creator and food will be a major test for the last days.
Creation- Gen 3:2
In Noah time and the words of Jesus in the last days- Luke 17:26-27.
In the wilderness- Num 11:4-33
Elijah was fed by ravens, then being fed by a widow- 1 Kings 17:2-16
We are told our water and bread will be sure, but are we demanding other things like the Israelites? Are we content with our diet presently? Today Giving praise and thanks to God as our Bread of life and provider?
Amen
Question? At what age does a Hebrew boy " know to chose right or wrong - good or evil?"
I thought it was at age 13?
Are there any texts in the Bible or is it in their traditions?
A boy becomes "Bar Mitzvah" at age 13. A girl becomes "Bat Mitzvah" at age 12. This is when they are considered to be adult. They are considered to be responsible for their own actions at that age.
So that was a long time to wait for their enemies to be defeated!
Are we prepared to wait so long for God's plan for our lives to be fulfilled?
Maurice Ashton how are you feeling? Are you better?I have missed your comments. from Kenya
I am fine thank you, Valentine. Maurice
Please help me answer my below question and again I do not quiet understand the Tuesday part of the lesson
I have a question please. My version of the Bible says in verse 16 of Isaiah 7.that(Let me paraphrase) " for before the boy knows how to refuse evil and choose the good, the land whose two Kings you dread will be deserted" so my question Shirley is, from this comment is like you were trying to say that Ahaz and His people were to wait till the boy was 13 years, (when he knew to differentiate between good and bad) so that the enemies can be defeated...
I am paying attention to this word written FOR BEFORE,doesn't that mean the enemies were to be defeated before the 13yrs of the child?
Please help members and Happy Sabbath filled with God's blessings
I think that Isaiah is here simply giving a time schedule for the prophecy.
Valentine, I am also puzzled by the timing of the prophecies in Isaiah 7&8. The study guide talks about two years between 734-732 and 12 between 734-722 and 65 years until the kingdom of Israel no longer existed. Dr Roy Gane the author of these lessons is a Hebrew scholar and a teacher of Old Testament at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary on the campus of Andrews University so can be trusted to know the facts but I like to be able to work it out myself.
However I do understand the message - trust the LORD no matter the circumstances, sometimes He acts immediately and sometimes He waits before He acts, He knows which is best for us and His overall plan.
I believe that the Bible teaches the age of accountability was 20. Those under that age in the wilderness wanderings were not left to die in the wilderness with those who were 20 and older.
Using the insights of this lesson for learning God's Truth, I can say that the Lord God is true to His Word. It is for me to seek understanding of His Word so that I do not sin against Him; my faith shall remain strong when I humble myself and submit my choices to reflect His Will. His blessings of peace in my heart and mind will be the evidence that my Father cares for me; it is His Spirit that testifies to my spirit that He watches over me even in unsettling circumstances.
Ahaz’s example teaches universal Truth to all who are willing to see it. As soon as he placed his faith into the strength of his own arm, he suffered the helplessness of those who have no other recourse but the imaginations of their own mind, leaving them open to suffer the effects of *all types of unforseen circumstances*. Once we acknowledge, believe and respond with humble submission that God is in control of all aspects of Life, we cannot ignore this awareness and continue to oscillate between faith in God and faith in self.
Should we have dependents, it is paramount to demonstrate to them the living example of our faith. In extension, included in the blessings the personal *family* receives, are the people we encounter in our daily lives. This living faith is the Light showing the Glory of God to whomever we come in contact with; extended through our actions, His loving kindnes, justice and mercy will be in everything we do in our daily lives; ultimately self-evidencing the presence of the Father from whom all blessings flow. Everything a faithful, loving, kind and mercyful believer comes in contact with is blessed when our Father blesses us individually – Gen.12:3KJV.
Having given ourselves into our heavenly Father’s hands, we are assured that His perfect Will guides our lives for the better. Since our life is expressed in our actions, our free will choses whether we give glory to our heavenly Father’s Name. It is up to our actions whether we discount His Name as just another god among other gods when going our own way, or if we humble ourselves and faithfully walk His Way of Light and Life.
King Ahaz and his contemporaries, and so do all who reject the counsel of God, experience the consequences which follow when man forsakes the God of Creation; it will remain so until the time when God calls the end of this age. God’s new earth, “shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” – Isa.11:9KJV.