Daily Bible Reading—December 2024, God’s Guiding Word: Joyनमुना

Introduction

Isaiah 7:1–25: King Ahaz ruled the southern kingdom of Judah from 735–715 B.C., and King Pekah ruled the northern kingdom of Israel from 752–732 B.C. Between 735 and 732 B.C., Israel and Syria invaded Judah (2 Kings 15:27—16:20; 2 Chronicles 28:1–27). Pekah and King Rezin of Syria tried to force Ahaz to join them in their battles against Assyria. When Ahaz didn’t cooperate, Pekah and Rezin tried to replace him as king (Isaiah 7:6). In today’s reading the prophet Isaiah tells Ahaz that the LORD will give him a sign to indicate that God would be with Judah, so there would be no need for Judah to seek an alliance with Assyria. Against Isaiah’s advice, Ahaz turned to Assyria for help; but eventually, Assyria also invades Judah (2 Kings 18:13–37; Isaiah 8:5–8). The reading concludes with a description of the Assyrian threat of invasion.

Today’s Key Verse: Isaiah 7:14

“The Lord himself will give you a sign: a young woman who is pregnant will have a son and will name him ‘Immanuel.’”

Reflect

Reread verses 3–9. What message did the LORD instruct Isaiah to say to King Ahaz? What does God promise? What warning does God give? What is the sign Isaiah speaks of (verse 14)? The name “Immanuel” in Hebrew means “God with us.” (In Matthew 1:23, the Gospel writer uses Isaiah 7:14 in his account of the birth of Jesus. He quotes from the Greek translation of Isaiah made by Jewish scholars around 200 B.C. that translates the Hebrew for “young woman” as “virgin.”) Why did Ahaz fail to trust in God and heed Isaiah’s advice? What consequences were foretold (verses 17–25)?

Pray

Immanuel, you are indeed God with us. In you, Lord God, I place my trust and hope. Order my steps this day and guide me in the way of your truth. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Isaiah 8:1–15: Isaiah’s wife bears a son.