What does Isaiah 7:10 mean?
It is not known whether this continues the conversation between Isaiah and Ahaz in the previous verses (Isaiah 7:4–9) or whether it takes place later. Isaiah, though, clearly understands the Lord is speaking to Ahaz through him. This message is fully God's. Isaiah was not a typical counselor to the king, in the sense of offering ideas for the king to take or leave. He was the Lord's voice in the king's ear—the king could receive or reject that revelation from God.The same is true now, for everyone who reads the Bible. It is not merely writings of ancient people with interesting ideas. The words are not one set of options among many. They are the words of the Lord delivered through the pen of those writers as revelation from God Himself. We must also choose whether to receive or reject it, and we should study it.
Isaiah 7:10–25 describes the Lord's response, through Isaiah, to King Ahaz's refusal to obey the Lord. He was told to ask for a sign to confirm the prophecy that Israel and Syria would fail to conquer Judah. Isaiah prophecies that a virgin will conceive and name her child Immanuel. Before the child is old enough to reject evil, Israel and Syria will be wiped out. Then the Lord will use the king of Assyria to harshly judge Judah, humiliate His own people, and empty the land of Judah's citizens.
Isaiah 7 begins with the threat of invasion from two of Judah's enemies: Israel and Syria. Judah's King Ahaz and his people are terrified. Speaking for the Lord, Isaiah tells Ahaz to not be afraid because it will not happen. Israel and Syria will soon be gone. Ahaz, though, refuses the Lord's command to ask for a sign. In response, Isaiah tells Ahaz that after Syria and Israel are destroyed, the Lord will use the king of Assyria to bring judgment on Judah through invading armies, emptying the land until little remains.
