Isaiah Tells Ahaz Not to Fear

“When Ahaz (grandson of Uzziah) was king of Judah, King Rezin of Syria, and Pekah, son of King Remaliah of Israel, both went to war against Jerusalem, but they could not prevail against it. It was known among the house of David (tribe of Judah) that King Rezin had conspired with Pekah (tribe of Ephraim). This is why Ahaz and his people were afraid of being attacked. Then the Lord said to me, Isaiah, ‘Take your son, Shearjashub, and go meet Ahaz on the highway at the point where it meets the irrigation canal that comes from the wool cleaners’ spring. Tell Ahaz not to fear the fierce anger of Rezin and Pekah. He should not be concerned that Syria (Rezin) and Ephraim (Pekah) have conspired against him by saying, “Let us go up against Judah to conquer it, and to put in Tabeal’s son as king,” for I, the Lord God, tell you that their plan will not come to pass. Also tell Ahaz that for now, the head of Syria is Damascus and the head of Damascus is Rezin. But within sixty-five years, Ephraim will not be a united nation. Samaria is likewise the head of Ephraim, and Remaliah’s son, Pekah, is the head of Samaria. If Ahaz will not believe this prophecy, he will not be established.’

“After giving this message to Ahaz, I, Isaiah, said to him,

‘Ask for a sign from the Lord—a sign in the heavens or in the earth.’ But Ahaz replied, ‘I will not ask for a sign and tempt the Lord.’ Then I, Isaiah, said, ‘Hear me now, oh house of David. It does not matter if you weary me by not looking forward to the promised signs, but will you also weary my God? The Lord Himself will give you this sign—A virgin will conceive and bear a son, and name Him Immanuel (God with us). By the time He is old enough to eat butter and honey, He will already know how to refuse evil and choose good. But before this, Samaria and Damascus will both have their kings removed. The house of Israel will see days of despair unknown since the time that Ephraim left Judah, for the Lord will bring the king of Assyria upon you, upon your people and your father’s house.

“In that day (the last days), the Lord will call in armies from the outer parts of Egypt and Assyria, who will come quickly like flies and bees. They will settle in the desolate valleys and caves near the water holes where thorns and bushes grow. In one day, the Lord will hire the king of Assyria as a razor, who will come from beyond the river to humble the house of Israel.

“After this destruction, the righteous will still be able to feed their animals. In Zion, there will be an abundance of milk, and all who are left in the land will eat butter and honey. In that day, all the places of Babylon that used to flourish with crops and vegetation will be dried up and become a place for briars and thorns. In those places, men will hunt with bows and arrows, searching for food. All the hills that were once plowed and cultivated will not produce food because of the drought. The land will only be good for hungry oxen and cattle to wander over in their search for food.”