Scott
Puritan Board Graduate
Isa. 7 describes a conversation between Isaiah and King Ahaz. Here in an excerpt:
From the context it appears that this is intendned to refer initially to a contemporary of Ahaz. The account regards a sign for Ahaz to comfort him regarding comnteporary events (an invasion of Judah). Isaiah tells Ahaz to ask for a sign that a near-term planned invasion of Judah will be foiled. Ahaz refuses to ask and so a sign is chosen for him. The entire context concerns events events contemporary to Ahaz' time. Vs. 16 seems to reinforce the idea that the sign would be contemporary to Ahaz. It says that the child would not reach a certain age before the events happened. I suppose this could mean that the child would not be born for hundreds of years, but the way it is worded suggests that the child will be alive and young during the fulfillment of the prophecy.
If the prophecy does refer to a contemporary of Ahaz, who is it? I believe that Jewish commentators believed it was Hezekiah, right?
Thoughts?
Scott
Who is Immanuel here? Does it refer exclusively to Jesus? Or does it refer initially to someone else and then typologically to Jesus?Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, 11 "Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights." 12 But Ahaz said, "I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test." Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you [c] a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and [d] will call him Immanuel. [e] 15 He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right. 16 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. 17 The LORD will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria."
From the context it appears that this is intendned to refer initially to a contemporary of Ahaz. The account regards a sign for Ahaz to comfort him regarding comnteporary events (an invasion of Judah). Isaiah tells Ahaz to ask for a sign that a near-term planned invasion of Judah will be foiled. Ahaz refuses to ask and so a sign is chosen for him. The entire context concerns events events contemporary to Ahaz' time. Vs. 16 seems to reinforce the idea that the sign would be contemporary to Ahaz. It says that the child would not reach a certain age before the events happened. I suppose this could mean that the child would not be born for hundreds of years, but the way it is worded suggests that the child will be alive and young during the fulfillment of the prophecy.
If the prophecy does refer to a contemporary of Ahaz, who is it? I believe that Jewish commentators believed it was Hezekiah, right?
Thoughts?
Scott