Christmas Eve: Old Testament, Isaiah 7:10-14                          

Isaiah 7:10-14

I have to think of something other than the Bible as I begin the privileged place of writing a meditation on this cherished text. I have performed as a musician for some of the top wind ensemble conductors in the world. I have played and studied my instrument in the low brass studios of two men, who in their times, were considered the best in the world. I have performed as a member/soloist with a two-time National Champion Brass Band. And in many other venues and with many other performers (friends) I have been immeasurably blessed. That’s my lead-in.

All of that to say that I know what it is to be given a task that makes you nervous … or perhaps a bit beyond nervous. Writing anything about this text is like that. And more so. Is there a biblical text more awesome in its import than this one? I hesitate to even attempt comments. But here goes.

The overall context for this gift, and it is a gift to the people of God, is unbelief. The unbelief of a King charged with ruling God’s people in the Old Testament kingdom of Judah. God’s people were split into two kingdoms at the time and one was joining with a foreign power against the other. To shorten the account greatly, God shows up in the voice of the great prophet Isaiah and says in effect, “Your back is against the wall. Ask your God ANYTHING and he will give you a sign of His continued care and protection. Ask away.” Man, I would have. But not old Ahaz (that’s the king). Instead he feigns piety, “I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test” (7:12). The tables turn somewhat and the “your God” in Isaiah’s conversation has now become “my God.” “Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also?” (7:13). In other words, “You won’t claim Him in faith as your God, so I will let you in on a ‘secret’ from MY GOD.”

“The Lord (not God’s personal name here, but his title as King of all), himself will give you a sign. Behold …” (7:14a). Most of us know the rest. But go back and read it all anyway. Just here let’s focus. The Lord himself will give you a sign, Ahaz. GIVE. God, our God, is always doing that isn’t He? It’s almost like it’s all He can do. But He is never under compulsion from the outside. He just loves to give. And the sign He gives in words to Ahaz, but to us a bit further down the timeline is that a sweet virgin will get pregnant and give birth to the most amazing little man. And then everything will change. Everything.

Ponder it if you will. For today. For the next few days and on into the next year. Christmas is twelve days long, after all. Behold that virgin and her Son. Behold  both sign and substance. And receive what God has given.

Blessed Christmas to all!