Isaiah chapters 7-12, Hard Truths and Hope

The next section of chapters we will study in Isaiah are seven through twelve. These prophesies are sometimes hard to discern but they are still part of God's inspired word so we should be faithful to studying them.

Prophecy sometimes speaks of an immediate future, a near future or a distant future event taking place. Often phrases like, in that day or the day of the Lord are used to indicate things happening in the distant future.

Chapter Seven
Chapter seven speaks of the sad distrust that king Ahaz displays. He is threatened by his brothers of the Northern kingdom of Israel and their ally Syria. God's children should have never been at war like this but sadly it happened. God uses Isaiah to speak to Ahaz to let him know there was no reason to be afraid. As he approaches Ahaz he comes with his son whose name means a remnant will return. Ahaz is assessing the water supply making sure he was ready for the coming threat of war. God has a message for Ahaz that tells him plainly their plan of attack will not succeed. God tells Ahaz that if his faith does not remain firm, then he would not remain secure (Isaiah 7:9b).

Yet Ahaz failed to believe. God told him to ask for a sign but Ahaz refused. His heart was not believing or trusting God. God then speaks of the coming exile of Israel. In fact with in 65 years the Northern kingdom indeed would be shattered.

The name Ephraim is used to refer to the Northern kingdom (which consisted of the 10 tribes that split at the time of Jeroboam) because they became the leading tribe of the group.

Now all Scripture points us to Christ and here in this chapter is an interesting look at the coming of Christ child. It is given after Ahaz refuses a sign from God. God provides this sign anyway. Now in the context and fulfillment in this time frame there will be a child born to Isaiah who was named Immanuel. However, the later fulfillment is the Christ child Immanuel who would save us and reign forever (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:21).

Chapter Eight
Because Ahaz has rejected God, He will use Assyria as an instrument to take Israel and Syria into captivity and Judah will feel it too. They suffered much destruction.

Isaiah is told to name his next son Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz which means quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil; and added to this name is Immanuel. God will be with His people still through this judgement.

There is much politically going on here. Also, the point that I see is that the Lord is in control of the rising an falling of nations. His hand can control it all. He saves those that are His and punishes those who refuse to repent. It is amazing to see all of this happening. God will accomplish His plans. Period. He is sovereign so we need not be afraid ever.

I look at the state of my nation of America and well, morally it is on a rapid decline. It is so sad to watch, yet I can trust God and His greater plan. It makes perfect sense that a nation that turns it back on God will be disciplined. The reason for that discipline is to drive us closer to HIM. There will remain a remnant from all the nations that belong to Him. He saves those who are His and fulfills all of His promises to them.

The people of Isaiah's time were trusting in mediums and wizards and speaking to the dead. All these things in darkness instead of seeking the Light of God. He is the only one who can truly save. Sometimes we need to be redirected to that.

One thing that really stood out to me in this chapter was this verse 18, ^"Here am I, and the children the Lord has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from the Lord Almighty, who dwells on Mount Zion."

I love that God used Isaiah whose name means The Lord is Salvation, and His sons whose names mean a remnant will remain and quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil, the Lord is with us. These would be reminders the people would remember anytime they were out and about. Though God's anger and hand is on them it would not be forever. He is true to His covenant promises and a coming Savior would save them and "all the nations of the earth would be blessed" as God promised Abraham through the coming Christ.

Chapter 9
verses 1-7 tell of the coming Savior in Jesus. This prophecy fulfills the Davidic covenant as well. It is a very beautiful passage. It contrasts the darkness they were in to the great coming light. The people may have thought, how will this be accomplished so the verse ends with "The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this." 

God is jealous for those of us that belong to Him. He will stop at nothing to win our hearts to Himself. He sent His Son to die on our behalf on the cross taking all of our sin away so we could be forever in His presence. That is some amazing love! Christ willingly came because of love, He came and humbled Himself to a dependent infant and walked in skin like us to end in our salvation that was promised from the beginning. None of this was a mistake or back up plan. In the beginning this was planned out. God knew we would need a great Savior and Jesus would be that for us.

verses 8-21 are speaking of the anger of the Lord. Arrogance is never excused before the Lord. 

Chapter 10
This can be a hard chapter because it deals with the sovereignty of God. Either God is in complete control of all things or He is not. He cannot be a little bit in control here or there. The way He rules is hard to understand but we must always remember that He is good. He gave plenty of warning to the Israelite s before this as well.

Verses 5-11 speak about God sending the nation of Assyria to be a rod to Jerusalem. Remember Jonah? Assyria was where he was sent then to speak repentance to a wicked nation. Assyria was wicked still at this time period of Isaiah and God was going to use them to "discipline as a rod" His children Israel. Now ponder this.

verses 12-14 state that Assyria who God will use to discipline His children will then in turn be punished for its pride. God is not evil nor does he tempt us to evil however He allows things to accomplish His greater purposes. Now ponder this.

verses 15-19 states Israel gets itself back again with God and the enemy is destroyed.

verses 20-23 states that the remnant will return and never again rely on another other than the Lord. (This will be a great day!)

verses 24-27 states that Israel need not be afraid of anyone again but instead remember what the Lord has done in the past for them.

and finally God wins, He conquers the arrogant.

Chapter 11 and 12
These chapters focus on hope after this coming storm. God gives them a glimpse of the final days when the earth is restored. In this coming day all will know Christ is King. All the remnant will gather to plunder their enemies. It is a beautiful picture of praise and hope.




Specifically verses 1-5 describe the coming Christ! I love how many times we see a glimpse of Christ through this book.