Emmanuel Sign to a Hardening Heart Signs of Christmas, Part I Isaiah 7:1-16

Signs of Christmas

Signs of Christmas

Timeline 1000 BC God promises David an eternal throne, to his Heir

Timeline God promises David an eternal throne, to his Heir 1000 BC +- 5 BC God promises David an eternal throne, to his Heir Angel appears to Mary: “The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David… his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:31-33

King Ahaz, descendant of David, under attack in Jerusalem. Timeline 735 BC 1000 BC +- 5 BC God promises David an eternal throne, to his Heir Angel appears to Mary: “The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David… his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:31-33 King Ahaz, descendant of David, under attack in Jerusalem.

Syria and Israel join forces to attack Judah (Rezin) ISRAEL (Pekah) Syria and Israel join forces to attack Judah JUDAH (Ahaz)

God comforts Ahaz Be careful, keep calm and don't be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. Isaiah 7:4

God offers any sign to Ahaz Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights. Isaiah 7:11

Behind the Scenes of Isaiah 7 described in 2 Kings 16 & 2 Chronicles 28 Things to note:

Behind the Scenes of Isaiah 7 described in 2 Kings 16 & 2 Chronicles 28 Things to note: God brought the enemies due to Ahaz’s unfaithfulness (2 Chron 28:19)

Behind the Scenes of Isaiah 7 2 Chronicles 28:19 The LORD had humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had promoted wickedness in Judah and had been most unfaithful to the LORD.

Behind the Scenes of Isaiah 7 described in 2 Kings 16 & 2 Chronicles 28 Things to note: God brought the enemies due to Ahaz’s unfaithfulness (2 Chron 28:19) Ahaz already had his OWN strategy (2 Kings 16:7-8)

Behind the Scenes of Isaiah 7 ASSYRIA (Tiglath-Pilesar) Ahaz’s Strategy -trust in Tiglath-Pilesar

Behind the Scenes of Isaiah 7 2 Kings 16:7-8 Ahaz sent messengers to say to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, "I am your servant and vassal. Come up and save me out of the hand of the king of Aram and of the king of Israel, who are attacking me.“ And Ahaz took the silver and gold found in the temple of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace and sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria.

Behind the Scenes of Isaiah 7 described in 2 Kings 16 & 2 Chronicles 28 Things to note: God brought the enemies due to Ahaz’s unfaithfulness (2 Chron 28:19) Ahaz already had his OWN strategy (2 Kings 16:7-8) Ahaz didn’t want to believe God

Behind the Scenes of Isaiah 7 Disappointed Hope… 2 Chronicles 28:10-21 Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came to him, but he gave him trouble instead of help. Ahaz took some of the things from the temple of the LORD and from the royal palace and from the princes and presented them to the king of Assyria, but that did not help him

The Prophet was Right

God’s Sign to a Hardening Heart “the Lord himself will give you a sign” The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right. But before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste

God’s Sign to a Hardening Heart “the Lord himself will give you a sign” The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Matthew 1:21-23