He Will Be Called Immanuel (Isaiah 7:1-25)

He Will Be Called Immanuel (Isaiah 7:1-25)

What is fear? What causes fear? How could not fear? Fear is a basic, intense emotion triggered by the perception of threat, prompting a bodily response for survival. Natural disasters, accidents, diseases can all cause fear, as can conflicts in relationships. Essentially, fear is driven by uncertainty. Everyone is susceptible to experiencing fear since no one knows what will happen tomorrow.

Fear is the opposite of faith. When the king of Israel and his people heard the news of enemy’s invasion, they fell into great fear because they lacked faith in the Almighty God. The root cause of fear is the lack of faith in God. How did God help King Ahaz through the prophet Isaiah? God gave King Ahaz a sign, revealing the promise of Immanuel—God with us.

The Heart of the King and the Hearts of His People Shook Like the Trees Of the Forest Shaken by the Wind

1 When Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem, but they could not overpower it. 2 Now the house of David was told, "Aram has allied itself with Ephraim"; so the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind (Isaiah 7:1-2).

After Solomon’s reign, the nation was divided into the northern and southern kingdoms, leading to constant conflict between brothers. This tragic civil strife even saw alliances formed with enemy nations to attack one another. Pekah proposed to Ahaz that they join forces against the emerging superpower, Assyria. However, when Ahaz refused, Pekah joined forces with Aram to attack Jerusalem (Isaiah 7:6). In response, Ahaz sent tribute to the king of Assyria, seeking help (2 Kings 16:7-8).

Though Rezin and Pekah attacked Judah, they did not prevail. Yet, when the news of Aram allying with Ephraim reached Jerusalem, everyone from the king to the people trembled with fear, like trees shaken by the wind. Ahaz, the elders, the priests, and all the people were terrified and shaken.

What was the true source of this fear? At first glance, it seems to be the news of Rezin and Pekah’s army approaching. However, this is just the surface reason—the real reason was God’s anger. Ahaz (732–716 BC) had done evil in the eyes of the Lord, even sacrificing his own son in the fire (2 Kings 16:2-3). God had brought peace on the land when His people turned away from idols and worshiped Him. However, when they fell into idolatry, practicing evil and robbing the poor, He handed them over to their enemies.

Do Not Be Afraid or Lose Heart

3 Then the Lord said to Isaiah, "Go out, you and your son Shear-Jashub, to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field. 4 Say to him, '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 7:3-4).

God sent Isaiah to Ahaz to reassure him: “Do not be afraid or lose heart.” God wanted Isaiah to bring his son, Shear-Jashub (meaning "a remnant will return"), to the place where Ahaz could be found. God referred to Rezin and Pekah as “two smoldering stubs of firewood”—nothing to fear.

Why did God designate a specific place to meet the king? The Upper Pool is a source of water, and the Launderer’s Field was where clothes were washed. Washing involves cleansing and removing dirt, symbolizing God’s desire for Ahaz to repent and be cleansed from sin.

Likewise, God is seeking for the lost. Jesus entered and stayed at Zacchaeus’ house, where Zacchaeus repented of his sins, offering to pay back four times what he had cheated. Jesus then declared: 9 Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:9-10).

Why did God instruct Isaiah to bring his son Shear-Jashub along? The name means “a remnant will return.” God knew the people would hear but not understand, see but not perceive, until their cities lay in ruins. Yet, the holy seed would remain—the remnant of the faithful.

Why did God tell Ahaz not to be afraid or lose heart? Because God is Almighty. Isaiah had seen the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, with seraphim declaring: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory" (Isaiah 6:3). The temple shook at the sound of their voices, showing God’s power over the universe. Therefore, Ahaz, the elders, and priests had no reason to fear if they trusted the Almighty God.

When Jairus, a synagogue leader, heard that his daughter had died, he was devastated. But Jesus said: "Don’t be afraid; just believe" (Mark 5:36).

The real object of fear is not human enemies, political situations, disasters, or diseases, but the Lord Almighty. Israel’s fear arose because God handed them over to their enemies as judgment for their sins. It was the divine wrath that brought about fear.

After the miracle of feeding the five thousand, the disciples faced a storm while crossing the sea. Jesus walked on water to reach them, but they were terrified, mistaking Him for a ghost (Matthew 14:26). When Jesus got into the boat, the wind died down, and they were comforted. The disciples were terrified by the Lord Jesus walking on the water, and released from fear when the Lord got into the boat. True fear belongs to the One who has the power to give peace or deliver judgment—the Lord Almighty.

If You Do Not Stand Firm in Your Faith, You Will Not Stand At All

5 "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." Aram, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah have plotted evil against you, saying, 6 "Let us invade Judah; let us tear it apart and divide it among ourselves and make the son of Tabeel king over it." 7 Yet this is what the Sovereign Lord says: "It will not take place, it will not happen. 8 For the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin. Within sixty-five years, Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people. 9 The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah's son. If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." (Isaiah 7:5-9)

Rezin and Pekah planned to attack Jerusalem and set up the son of Tabeel as a puppet king. However, their plan failed because God would not allow it. God declared that within sixty-five years, Northern Israel would be destroyed and never again be a nation. This prophecy was fulfilled in 722 BC when Samaria fell to Assyria.

Through Isaiah, God told King Ahaz, "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." God wanted Ahaz to trust Him, but even if Ahaz did not believe, Rezin and Pekah's attack would still fail. Yet, not trusting in the Lord meant missing out on His spiritual blessings. Instead of relying on God, Ahaz sought help from Assyria. When Jerusalem survived, Ahaz might have mistakenly thought it was his plan that succeeded. In reality, it was God's word through Isaiah coming true.

A Son Born of the Virgin Will Be Called Immanuel

10 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." 13 Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:10-14)

God wanted to strengthen Ahaz’s faith. So, He offered Ahaz a sign, whether from the deepest depths (death) or the highest heights (heaven). Gideon asked for a sign twice to be sure that the Lord was with him. But Ahaz, pretending to be spiritual, refused to ask for a sign. He didn’t want the sign to come true because he didn’t want to trust and depend on God. Instead, Ahaz wanted to follow his own plans without any interference.

The kings, priests, and elders of Israel neglected the poor, widows, and orphans; instead, they exploited them. This showed their disregard for God, which grieved Him, because they broke God’s command to care for the needy and the oppressed. The prophet Amos warned that Israel’s leaders would face destruction because they devoured the poor, deceived people with false scales, exploited them, and even enslaved the powerless (Amos 8:4-6).

Therefore, the Lord Himself will give a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. This is a sign of God being with us and also a rebuke to Ahaz for refusing to trust in God. The prophecy first pointed to an event that would happen soon—Aram and Israel would be destroyed by Assyria, just as God had spoken (Isaiah 7:15-17).

Moreover, this prophecy also pointed to the coming Messiah. An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph, telling him that Mary was pregnant by the Holy Spirit and instructing him to name the baby Jesus (Matthew 1:20-21). The author of the Gospel of Matthew affirmed that this fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy (Matthew 1:22-23). God sent His Son, Jesus, to save the world from sin. His name, Immanuel, means “God with us.” God showed that He was with us by giving His only Son, and He will continue to be with us until we reach our eternal home—and forevermore.

The Immanuel God, Jesus Christ Was With His People

Let’s revisit what happened when Jesus, the Immanual God, was with His disciples during His messianic ministry in the first century. During this time, Jesus faced the strong opposition and hostility from the Jewish religious leaders, which ultimately led to His death on a cross after being handed over to Roman authorities. Despite of constant threats and hostility toward the Lord and his followers, especially the twelve disciples, the Immanuel God protected them no matter what.

One instance of this divine protection was when Jesus defended His disciples against accusations of violating the Sabbath Law after they picked up grain in the field to satisfy their hunger. Another instance of His divine intervention occurred when Jesus was arrested by the religious authorities. Jesus told the soldiers, “If you were looking for me, then let these men go.” (John 18:8)

"While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.” (John 17:12)

How Has God Been Faithful in Keeping His Promise to Be Immanuel, God with Us?

After the fall of Adam, God promised to redeem the fallen human race through the offspring of a woman. He declared, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15). Throughout the centuries, God continually reassured, amplified, and repeated this promise through the patriarchs, the Levitical law, and the prophets.

Again and again, God called His people to keep His laws and commandments, promising prosperity and blessings if they obeyed. Yet, they repeatedly failed to follow the Law, turning instead to idol worship. They neglected the weak and the poor, including orphans and widows, and even went so far as to sacrifice their own children, adopting the detestable practices of the surrounding nations.

In response to their disobedience, God allowed them to be conquered and taken into exile in a distant land. Yet, despite their unfaithfulness, God’s mercy prevailed. After seventy years of captivity in Babylon, He brought them back, as He had promised through Isaiah, preserving a holy remnant. Upon their return, they rebuilt the temple and the walls of Jerusalem. However, their hearts remained distant from the Lord, consumed with their own well-being and influenced by Hellenistic culture. It perfectly reflects what is happening in churches today, including our own.

God sent the prophet Malachi as a final messenger, and then there was silence for 400 years. Yet, at the appointed time, breaking the long silence, God sent His angel to Mary and Joseph, announcing the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Despite the rebellion and stubbornness of His people, God remained faithful as Immanuel—God with us.

God’s steadfast love for humanity endures. He continues to call all people to return to Him, choosing to be with them, even in their brokenness.

Before the Boy Reject the Wrong the Two Kings You Dread Will Be Laid Waste

15 "He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, 16 for 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." (Isaiah 7:15-17)

The child in this prophecy was likely Isaiah’s son, not the coming Messiah. Before the child grew old enough to know right from wrong, Aram and Israel would be destroyed by Assyria (Isaiah 8:3-4). This prophecy came true during Ahaz's reign.

“5 The king of Assyria invaded the entire land, marched against Samaria and laid siege to it for three years. 6 In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River and in the towns of the Medes.” (2 Kings 17:5-6)

In That Day the Lord Will Whistle for Bees from Assyria

“18 In that day the Lord will whistle for flies from the Nile delta in Egypt and for bees from the land of Assyria. 19 They will all come and settle in the steep ravines and in the crevices in the rocks, on all the thornbushes and at all the water holes. 20 In that day the Lord will use a razor hired from beyond the Euphrates River—the king of Assyria—to shave your heads and private parts, and to cut off your beards also. 21 In that day, a person will keep alive a young cow and two goats. 22 And because of the abundance of the milk they give, there will be curds to eat. All who remain in the land will eat curds and honey. 23 In that day, in every place where there were a thousand vines worth a thousand silver shekels, there will be only briers and thorns. 24 Hunters will go there with bow and arrow, for the land will be covered with briers and thorns. 25 As for all the hills once cultivated by the hoe, you will no longer go there for fear of the briers and thorns; they will become places where cattle are turned loose and where sheep run.” (Isaiah 7:18-25)

God warned that the Assyrian invasion would devastate the land, leaving it desolate and overgrown with thorns. The people would be humiliated, reduced to a small remnant surviving on curds and honey. Prosperous vineyards would become thorny wastelands. This was God's judgment on Northern Israel for their idolatry, oppression of the poor, and failure to heed prophetic warnings.

For 200 years, northern Israel had wicked kings who led the people astray. Jeroboam set up gold calves in Dan and Bethel, forcing the people to bow down to the idol—an act that was wicked and detestable in the sight of God. Despite sending prophets like Elijah, Elisha, Amos, and Hosea to call them to repentance, they refused to change. Finally, God used Assyria as an instrument of judgment, demonstrating that the Lord Almighty alone is God.

April 6, 2025
Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty (Isaiah 6:1-13)

 

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty (Isaiah 6:1-13)

Who is God, and what does He look like? God is invisible, so no one knows what He looks like. But there are ample clues what He is like in the Scriptures. God is loving, merciful, slow to anger, compassionate, patient, forgiving. Also, our God is also holy and righteous, which means no evil can stand before Him.

At times, the Almighty God reveals Himself as majestic, awesome, and glorious ways. One such moment occurred when God revealed Himself to Moses at Mount of Horeb, manifesting His divine presence through the burning bush. In today’s passage, God reveals Himself to Isaiah in the temple. What did this revelation look like and how did Isaiah respond?

The Glory of the LORD Fills the Temple

1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke. (Isaiah 6:1-4)

The year that King Uzziah died was around 740 B.C. About 10 years back, he contracted leprosy because he arrogantly entered the temple to burn incense, and his son Jotham became king. During that time, Isaiah witnessed an astonishing and majestic vision of the Lord’s presence in the temple. The Lord was seated on a high and exalted throne, and the train of His robe filled the temple.

Above Him were Seraphim, the majestic angels, each with six wings. They covered their faces with two wings, their feet with two, and flew with two. The word seraph in Hebrew is also used for "fiery serpent" (Numbers 21:6). They called out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices, the temple shook, and smoke filled the temple. Isaiah was overwhelmed with fear in the presence of the holy and majestic God.

Moses and the Israelites also experienced the LORD’s awesome presence. When God descended on Mount Sinai with a loud trumpet blast, thick clouds, and dense smoke, the whole mountain trembled violently (Exodus 19:18). The people were terrified and trembled (Exodus 19:16).

The LORD Almighty Reigns in Glory and Power

This is what is look like when the LORD God manifests Himself. Awesome and terrifying! This shows the LORD Almighty is in reins on all things in heaven and on earth. Moreover, God displayed His power, authority, and glory throughout the universe, especially the solar system and human body. The earth rotates at roughly 1,000 mph, traveling around 24,901 miles a day. It also orbits the sun at 67,000 mph, traveling approximately 1.6 million miles daily. The human body contains around 37.2 trillion cells, producing about 3.8 million new cells every second. Therefore, those who see these manifestations and still do not believe God are without excuse (Romans 1:20).

God Reveals His Power in the World

God has also demonstrated His power throughout history. He parted the Red Sea, sent a great flood in Noah’s time for forty days and forty nights, and rained sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah. The psalmist described God’s mighty works in this way:

23 Some went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. 24 They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep. 25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. 26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. (Psalm 107:23-26)

Jesus Revealed God's Power and Glory

Jesus, the Son of God, also manifested the Creator’s power, authority, majesty, and glory. The winds and waves obeyed His command and became calm (Mark 4:39). He healed the sick, drove out the demons, and restored sight to the blind and even raised the dead. Moreover, Jesus taught about the kingdom of heaven with divine authority and answered every question with wisdom. Jesus spoke the truth in love, always with patience grace.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

However, God does not always reveal Himself in such a manner, as Moses and Isaiah experienced. It is because sinful humans cannot stand in the presence of a holy God without fear of death (Isaiah 6:5). Yet, the time will come when God will fully reveal Himself, and every nation, language, and race will see Him face to face. Until then, God restrains the devil until the appointed time (2 Thessalonians 2:6).

Your Guilt is Taken Away and Your Sin Atoned for

5 At that moment, I cried out, "Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." 6 Then, one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it, he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." (Isaiah 6:5-7)

Isaiah was overwhelmed with dreadful fear of death because he realized his sinfulness in the presence of the holy God. As a person with "unclean lips," he knew that sinful humanity cannot stand before a holy God. It was similar to how Moses and the Israelites trembled with fear at Mount Sinai when God descended upon it. It also happened to Jacob at Bethel, Elijah, and Peter, James, John, and Paul.

Then, a seraph came with a burning coal from the altar and touched Isaiah's lips. That fire purified him—his guilt was removed, and his sins were forgiven. The altar was the place where sacrifices were burned, representing the substitutionary death of the offering. Ultimately, this foreshadowed the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who shed His blood for the redemption of sin. In this sense, Isaiah was cleansed through the coming sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

You Will Be Ever Hearing But Never Understanding; You Will Be Ever Seeing But Never Perceiving

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" 9 He said, "Go and tell this people: 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' 10 Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed." (Isaiah 6:8-10)

God was looking for someone to send to His people—to proclaim His message. Isaiah responded, "Here am I. Send me!" Even though God already knew how stubborn and unrepentant the people were, He still sent messengers to call them back to Him. The books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and other prophets are filled with God's lament, sorrow, and warnings over His people who had turned to idolatry. Yet, despite their rebellion, God still loved them and longed for their return.

"Come now, let us settle the matter," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." (Isaiah 1:18)

"Return, Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall!" (Hosea 14:1)

Therefore this is what the Lord says: “If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them. (Jeremiah 15:19)

At first glance, God's words to Isaiah may seem strange, as if He didn’t want people to understand or repent. They will hear but never understand. They will see but never perceive. Make their hearts calloused, ears dull, and close their eyes. Was God saying He didn’t want them to turn back?

This passage is often quoted in the New Testament. Jesus cited it in Matthew 13:13-15 and John 12:40. The apostle Paul also referenced it when he preached in Rome, where some Jews believed in Christ, but others rejected the message (Acts 28:24-27).

This does not mean God doesn’t want people to repent. Rather, it’s a warning. Those who persist in rejecting God will become hardened in their sin. It also highlights an important truth: no one can be saved apart from God’s grace. Jesus said, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day." (John 6:44)

God is always ready to forgive. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) "A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out." (Isaiah 42:3)

At the end of Revelation, there is a sobering statement: "Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy." (Revelation 22:11) It was spoken at the time of Christ’s return as a warning to the disobedient and rebellion, stating that it will be too late to repent. Therefore, the right response is to repent now and prepare for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, because no one knows when He comes back.

In the parable of the sower, Jesus said, “12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.” (Matthew 13:12-13)

God gives abundantly, pouring out His blessings lavishly and generously. But Who receives more and more? It is those who listen, understand, and obey the word. However, those who do not listen, understand, and obey will find even what they have taken away.

Lord, How Long?

11 Then I said, "For how long, Lord?" And he answered: "Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, 12 until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged, until the Lord has sent everyone far away and the land is utterly forsaken. 13 And though a tenth remains in the land, it will again be laid waste. But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down, so the holy seed will be the stump in the land." (Isaiah 6:11-13)

Isaiah asked, "Lord, how long?" It was a natural question. He was shocked—how long would the people remain blind and deaf to God's word? Would no one listen? Proclaiming a message that no one understood was heartbreaking. If people did not understand God's word, there was no salvation. So, Isaiah pleaded, "Lord, how long?"

God responded that judgment would come. The land would be devastated, cities would be abandoned, and people would be taken into exile. Even if a small remnant remained, it too would face devastation. Yet, like a tree stump left after a tree is cut down, a "holy seed" would remain. The holy seed represents those who listen, understand, and obey.

God always preserves a remnant. During Elijah’s time, He kept 7,000 people who had not bowed to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). Though many rejected Isaiah’s message, some would listen and be saved.

Jesus also seemed to fail at first. When He was arrested, His disciples fled. He was crucified as a criminal and buried in a tomb. Only a few women remained at the cross. But three days later, God raised Him from the dead and exalted Him as the king of kings and the Lord of lords. On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached, and 3,000 Jews repented and believed in Jesus (Acts 2:41). Though many still reject the gospel, God continues to call a remnant to Himself.

Who are the remnants? They are those who, like Peter and Paul, recognize their own poverty, brokenness, and devastation. They understand that they have nothing to rely on but God alone. In complete surrender to the King, Almighty God, they are truly blessed—for to them, the kingdom of heaven is given. This is the secret and mystery of the cross of Jesus Christ, our Lord. No death, no gain. No cross, no crown!

March 30, 2025
Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotes are from the NIV.