In the previous look at Isaiah chapter seven, we saw the details of God’s promise to Ahaz and the people of Judah and Jerusalem. God told what was about to happen and what He would do. The enemies of Ahaz would not stand nor be established. However, God also admonished Ahaz and the people to believe Him. If they did not believe, they also would not be established.
Along with urging Ahaz to believe His word, God gave Ahaz another option. Listen to these words from the Lord, “10) Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, 11) Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.” (Isaiah 7:10,11) God told Ahaz to believe His word, but God did not stop with that. God also offered to show him a sign.
What would Ahaz do? What would Ahaz answer God? Verses twelve and thirteen tell us, “12) But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. 13) And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?” (verses 12 and 13) In verse thirteen, Ahaz calls the Lord, “my God.” He said he would not ask a sign because he did want to not tempt the Lord. He was saying, “God, You speak truth. I do not need a sign. I will believe because You have said so. All I need is Your word, and I will believe it.”
Remember the story of the disciple Thomas. After Jesus’ resurrection, he would not believe the words of the other disciples who told him that Jesus was alive again. He insisted, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Jesus did not get angry at Thomas for doubting. When Jesus appeared to the disciples again, He spoke directly to Thomas saying, “reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.” Thomas responded, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus gently rebuked him, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (This account can be read in John 20:19-28)
Both Ahaz and Thomas were blessed and received God’s promises, but the greater blessing comes to those who believe and do not need a sign or a sight. They are willing to take God at His word. God gave His word to Ahaz and the people of Judah and Jerusalem. He admonished them to believe His word. God offered to give a sign to make it easier to believe. But Ahaz did not want a sign because he thought that asking for a sign would be tempting God. If God said something, he should take God at His word. Did Ahaz receive a blessing for this? Yes, he did. We will take a look at that blessing in the next little study on Isaiah chapter seven.