Isaiah 7:10-16·~1 min

The Sign of Immanuel

The LORD again speaks to Ahaz, inviting him to ask for a sign from any depth or height. Ahaz refuses, saying he will not test the LORD, but his answer is not faithful humility; it is unbelieving resistance to the God who has already invited trust.

A¹⁰gain the LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, ¹¹“Ask for a sign from the LORD your God, whether from the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven.” ¹²But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD.”

Isaiah rebukes the house of David for wearying not only men but God, then declares that the Lord Himself will give the sign of Immanuel. Before the child matures, the lands of the two kings Ahaz dreads will be laid waste, so the sign speaks both to God's enduring presence with David's house and to the near-term collapse of Judah's present enemies.

¹³Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God as well? ¹⁴Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel. ¹⁵By the time He knows enough to reject evil and choose good, He will be eating curds and honey. ¹⁶For before the boy knows enough to reject evil and choose good, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.

Section summaryThe LORD graciously offers Ahaz a sign as deep as Sheol or as high as heaven, but the king cloaks his refusal in false piety. Isaiah therefore rebukes the house of David and announces that the Lord Himself will give a sign: a virgin bearing a son called Immanuel, whose coming and early life will coincide with the collapse of the two kings Ahaz fears.

Role in the chapterThis section centers the chapter on God's self-given sign to a faithless Davidic house.