Isaiah 7

We had a guest speaker (Dr. Todd S. Beall) this Sunday who spoke on Isaiah 7, and it was really encouraging. We started with reading Matthew 1:18-25, which seems random to read in August but it references the prophecy given in Isaiah 7. Here are the notes!

God's Plans vs. Our Plans
Isaiah 7:1-25

1. A crisis of faith and God's reassuring promise (7:1-9)
• Israel/Syria wants to replace Judah's King Ahaz. God says it won't happen.
2. An unbelieving king (7:10-12)
• God commands Ahaz to ask for a sign. Ahaz says no.
• A fun thought: if God gave you an incredible promise and told you to ask for a sign, what would you request as a sign?
3. An amazing sign of deliverance (7:13-16)
• A miraculous conception (7:14a)
• pregnant virgin, referenced in Matthew 1
• A comforting name (7:14b)
• Immanuel - God with us. The miracle of the incarnation.
• A promise of deliverance, both now and in the future (7:15-16, 8:5-10)
• the threatening countries would be deserted when the Child is born
4. A reminder of the foolishness of man's ways (7:17-25)
• Ahaz's hired army of Assyria would devastate Judah

Conclusion

1. Can we fathom God's plans and God's ways?
• maybe my short-sighted plan is good enough => BAD IDEA
2. Do we trust God, no matter what?