Isaiah 7:10-13
Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz: “Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.” And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also?
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Despite the king's disbelief, God doesn't give up; the phrase "spake again" highlights God's persistent pursuit of Ahaz and His people, offering a sign even after His initial message was ignored. This shows God's unwavering commitment to reveal Himself, even to those who resist Him.
After Isaiah delivered God's message of reassurance to King Ahaz, which included a dire warning if Ahaz chose not to trust, the Lord spoke to the king again through the prophet. This time, God offered Ahaz a direct choice: he could ask for any sign, from the deepest depths to the highest heavens, to confirm the divine word. Ahaz, however, refused, cloaking his fear and disobedience in a claim of not wanting to "tempt the Lord."
Ahaz is in a tough spot, facing an invasion. God offers a way out, but the king digs in his heels. What does God do next?
The chapter opens with a crisis: King Ahaz of Judah is facing a military threat from Syria and Israel. God, through the prophet Isaiah, first offers comfort and a way to seek a sign of assurance (Isaiah 7:1-9). However, Ahaz, blinded by fear and perhaps political maneuvering, refuses to ask for a sign, cloaking his disobedience in religious language ('I will not tempt the LORD').
But God's grace is persistent. Even though Ahaz rejects His offer, the Lord doesn't give up on the situation or the king. Verse 10 shows God speaking again to Ahaz, not letting Ahaz's refusal be the end of the conversation. This highlights God's initiative and His desire to bring His people to trust Him, even when they turn away.
God offers Ahaz a sign, but the king refuses it. What kind of sign was it, and why is it so significant?
The context is crucial. God, through Isaiah, offers Ahaz the chance to ask for any sign, 'either in the depth, or in the height above' (Isaiah 7:11). This is an incredibly generous offer, placing no limits on what God could do to prove His promise of deliverance.
Ahaz's refusal ('I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD') is described by commentators as hypocrisy. He claims religious scruples, but it's clear he fears what a sign might reveal or compel him to do – likely to abandon his plans to seek help from Assyria.
What makes this refusal even more weighty is that this is the setup for the famous Immanuel prophecy (Isaiah 7:14-16). Although Ahaz refused a sign, God still provided one, not for Ahaz's benefit, but for the 'house of David' and for future generations. The sign of the virgin conceiving and bearing a son named Immanuel ('God with us') points to a profound, ultimate deliverance and God's presence, far beyond the immediate military crisis.
Understand the original words
'owth · Hebrew Noun
A manifestation, miracle, or prophetic event intended to authenticate a divine message, confirm a promise, or serve as a visible token of God's authority and intervention in human history.
she'owl · Hebrew Noun
The abode of the dead, the underworld, or the place of the departed; it represents the deepest depths of the created order, often used in contrast to the heights of heaven to denote the totality of existence.
nacah · Hebrew Verb
To put to the test, to prove, or to tempt; in a negative sense, it refers to challenging God's faithfulness or power, thereby demanding that He prove Himself rather than trusting His revealed word.
bayith David · Hebrew Noun phrase
The immediate historical context for Isaiah 7:10 is the existential threat faced by Judah from the Syro-Ephraimitic coalition. Ahaz's fear and distrust lead him to reject God's offer of a sign, choosing instead to seek help from the powerful Assyrian Empire, a decision that ultimately brings further devastation.
c. 740 BC— this verse
Syro-Ephraimitic War Begins
Rezin of Syria and Pekah of Israel form an alliance to attack Judah, aiming to depose King Ahaz and install a pro-Syrian ruler. They lay siege to Jerusalem but are unable to conquer it.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah Meets Ahaz
The prophet Isaiah, with his son Shear-jashub, is sent by God to meet King Ahaz at the conduit of the upper pool. Isaiah delivers a message of reassurance and calls for faith.
c. 740 BC
Ahaz Rejects God's Offer
Ahaz, king of Judah, refuses God's offer to ask for any sign to confirm the prophecy, stating he will not tempt the Lord. This refusal stems from distrust and reliance on Assyria.
c. 734-732 BC
Assyria Intervenes
Ahaz, in his fear and distrust, appeals to Tiglath-pileser III of Assyria for help against Syria and Israel. The Assyrian king invades and captures Damascus, taking Rezin captive, and annexes parts of Israel.
This passage directly quotes Isaiah's prophecy about a virgin conceiving and bearing a son named Immanuel, highlighting the fulfillment of this sign in the birth of Jesus.
1 Samuel 17:45-47David, facing Goliath, declares that he comes in the name of the LORD Almighty, demonstrating a reliance on God's power for deliverance in a time of national crisis, mirroring Ahaz's need for divine intervention despite his fear.
Exodus 4:8-9When Moses doubts God's ability to deliver Israel, God offers signs to prove His presence and power, similar to God's offer to Ahaz to confirm His message of deliverance.
Judges 6:17Gideon, like Ahaz, is in a time of oppression and asks for a sign from the Lord to confirm that God is indeed with him and will grant victory, illustrating the human tendency to seek confirmation of God's word even in dire straits.
pooleIsaiah 7:10: "Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying,"
No text from Poole on this verse.
henryIsaiah 7:10-16: "Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying,"
7:10-16 Secret disaffection to God is often disguised with the colour of respect to him; and those who are resolved that they will not trust God, yet pretend they will not tempt him. The prophet reproved Ahaz and his court, for the little value they had for Divine revelation. Nothing is more grievous to God than distrust, but the unbelief of man shall not make the promise of God of no effect; the Lord himself shall give a sign.…
Despite the king's disbelief, God doesn't give up; the phrase "spake again" highlights God's persistent pursuit of Ahaz and His people, offering a sign even after His initial message was ignored. This shows God's unwavering commitment to reveal Himself, even to those who resist Him.
After Isaiah delivered God's message of reassurance to King Ahaz, which included a dire warning if Ahaz chose not to trust, the Lord spoke to the king again through the prophet. This time, God offered Ahaz a direct choice: he could ask for any sign, from the deepest depths to the highest heavens, to confirm the divine word. Ahaz, however, refused, cloaking his fear and disobedience in a claim of not wanting to "tempt the Lord."
After Isaiah delivered God's message of reassurance to King Ahaz, which included a dire warning if Ahaz chose not to trust, the Lord spoke to the king again through the prophet. This time, God offered Ahaz a direct choice: he could ask for any sign, from the deepest depths to the highest heavens, to confirm the divine word. Ahaz, however, refused, cloaking his fear and disobedience in a claim of not wanting to "tempt the Lord."
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The royal lineage established by God through King David, to whom the eternal kingship of Israel and the future Messianic promise were entrusted.
la'ah · Hebrew Verb
To cause distress, burden, or frustration; in a theological sense, it refers to human rebellion or stubbornness that grieves the heart of God.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) is conquered by the Neo-Assyrian Empire, its capital Samaria falls, and its population is exiled, fulfilling prophecies of its destruction.
"Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz: “Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.” And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too litt…" — Despite the king's disbelief, God doesn't give up; the phrase "spake again" highlights God's persistent pursuit of Ahaz and His people, offering a sign even after His initial message was ignored. Thi…
