_Rezin. .. and Pekah. .. went up toward Jerusalem to war against it_ THE CONFEDERACY AGAINST JERUSALEM The reason of this war is not stated: but from the desire of those kings to dethrone Ahaz, and place on the throne in Jerusalem another, even Ben Tabeal, it may be inferred that Ahaz refused to j... [ Continue Reading ]
_Take heed and be quiet_ TAKE HEED, AND BE QUIET That is, be on your guard and do not act precipitately, rather keep at rest. I. A WARNING AGAINST SELF-WILLED ACTING. II. AN EXHORTATION TO UNDISMAYED EQUANIMITY. (_P. Delitzsch. D. D._) THE TRUE ATTITUDE OF LIFE This is the attitude we should o... [ Continue Reading ]
_If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established_ FAITH IN THE DIVINE WORD AND PROMISES THE ALONE GROUND OF THE BELIEVER’S ESTABLISHMENT AND HAPPINESS There are only two sources from which human hope or happiness can be derived, and these are sense and faith. I. SENSE AS THE SOURCE OF... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God_ GOD’S GRACE TOWARDS THE WAYWARD Jehovah does not scorn to call Himself the God of this son of David who so hardens himself. (_F. Delitzsch, D. D._) A CRITICAL MOMENT In this hour when Isaiah stands before Ahaz, the fate of the Jewish people is decided for m... [ Continue Reading ]
_But Ahaz said, I will not ask_ WHY DID AHAZ REFUSE TO ASK A SIGN? Ahaz who looked on Jehovah not as his God, but only (like any of his heathen neighbours) as the god of Judaea, and as such inferior in the god of Assyria, and who had determined to apply to the King of Assyria, or perhaps had alrea... [ Continue Reading ]
_Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary thy God also?_ WEARYING GOD The work and experience of the prophet and the Gospel minister in dealing with men are similar. I. IT IS NO SMALL SIN TO WEARY GOD’S PROPHETS AND PREACHERS. They are His ambassadors. II. IT IS INFINITELY WOR... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign_ GOD’S SIGN TO KING AHAZ Perhaps more perplexity has been produced among commentators by this passage than by any other in Old Testament prophecy. The chief difficulties of the passage may be stated as follows: Does the prophecy refer to some even... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord shall bring upon thee. .. even the king of Assyria_ THE PROPHECY FULFILLED The calling in of Assur laid the foundation for the overthrow of the kingdom of Judah not less than for that of the kingdom of Israel Ahaz thereby became a tributary vassal of the Assyrian king, and although Hezek... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the same day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is hired_ THE HIRED RAZOR There_ is _involved the bitterest sarcasm for Ahaz; the cheap knife which he had hired for the deliverance of Judah is hired by the Lord in order to shave Judah wholly and most shamefully. (_F. Delitzsch._) SHAVING... [ Continue Reading ]