The message of this chapter is we should trust the Lord's word that comes through his prophet and not the arm of the flesh. What seems logical isn't always the right thing. The motivation of leaders in the world is often based on selfish interests and fears. Right now, Israel is divided into two kingdoms. The northern half of the country is called Israel and made up of what is left of the ten tribes of Israel. The other two tribes, Benjamin and Judah have combined into the one people, Judah, and they occupy Jerusalem and the southern half of the country. The Lord tells Isaiah to meet with Ahaz, the king of Judah at the aqueduct of the upper pool. This was probably near the Gihon Spring in the Kidron Valley which is the valley that separates the old city of Jerusalem from BYU's Jerusalem Center today. The Mount of Olives is on one side of the Kidron Valley.
Rezin, the king of Syria, and Pekah the king of Israel (northern half) want Ahaz to ally with them against Asssyria, the neighboring super power. Isaiah pleads with Ahaz to not do this but trust that the Lord will deliver them. Ahaz rejects Isaiah's counsel and tries to play both sides by also winning the support of the king of Assyria. Assyria then invades Israel and takes a number of cities captive. Because of this, Syria and Israel invade Judah slaying 120,000 soldiers and carry away 200,000 women and children.
Isaiah gave Ahaz a sign. The sign was a virgin will conceive and bare a son whose name will be Immanuel. This has a duel meaning because it not only prophesies that through Judah the Messiah will be born, but it is a sign for their time and refers to Isaiah's wife giving birth to their first son.
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