Sabbath School Lesson for January 9-15, 2021
For daily videos about the lesson, see https://www.youtube.com/teresathompson
Lesson 3 Overview (Isaiah 7)
- Sunday: The danger from Syria and Israel, countries north of Jerusalem (Isaiah 7:1, 2)
- Monday: How God told Isaiah to reach King Ahaz (Isaiah 7:3-9)
- Tuesday: The solution offered to and declined by Ahaz (Isaiah 7:10-13)
- Wednesday: How God offered a sign anyway (Isaiah 7:14)
- Thursday: The meaning of God’s sign (Isaiah 7:14)
The situation was critical in Judah, with Israel and Syria both threatening Jerusalem with an attack. King Ahaz made some unwise choices, despite Isaiah’s attempt to present him with a better solution.
Memory Text: ” ‘…If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established.’ ” Isaiah 7:9 NKJV
How important it is to have faith in God’s word. This was all God required of Ahaz. But we are told that he had fallen so far into sin and idolatry that he even sacrificed his own sons to the false gods of Israel and the surrounding tribes. See 2 Chronicles 28:2-4 and 2 Kings 16:2-4. We’ll see how the king reacted when Isaiah tried to get him to believe God, so he and the nation with him would live.
How deaf we can be, too, when God tries to intervene for us. Our life of faith now prepares us for greater trials later on. Loving God helps us to trust His will and follow it.
Sunday: Danger From the North (Isaiah 7:1, 2)
The northern kingdoms of Israel and Syria were making plans to invade the much smaller kingdom of Judah and its capital Jerusalem. They hoped to force it into an alliance so they could control Jerusalem and set up a puppet king there, in order to strengthen themselves against an even stronger enemy to the north, the Assyrians.
The Assyrians were flexing their muscles too, and looking for ways to expand their kingdom all the way to Egypt.
Ahaz, Judah’s king, was hoping to make an alliance with Assyria to prevent an attack from Israel and Syria, but God had a very different idea about what Ahaz should do. Ahaz badly needed God’s perspective, but with the background information we have about Ahaz, there was only a slim chance he would listen.
Bible Verses to Read and Discuss:
Isaiah 7:1, 2, 2 Kings 16:5, 6, and 2 Chronicles 28:5
- What did it mean that Ahaz and the people were “moved as the trees of the woods are moved with the wind”?
- When have you felt in a similar situation–that your world was falling apart? And how did you stand the test?
Monday: Attempted Interception (Isaiah 7:3-9)
The inevitable trouble Jerusalem was facing should have brought them all to their senses. God, in His mercy, sent the prophet Isaiah to intercept the king as he was inspecting the water supply in one of the city’s aqueducts, in preparation for a siege.
God told Isaiah to go to the exact spot where the king would be found. God obviously was very much on the scene of the crisis they were facing and knew where to find him.
He also told Isaiah to take his son. His son’s name, Shear-jashub, meant “A Remnant Shall Return”. His son’s presence sent a message worth noting. His name reminded them that either God’s people would one day return from a captivity, or perhaps they could return to God by repenting. Either way, hope was found in the fact that there was a remnant of believers involved.
The message Isaiah delivered was that Israel and Syria were not to be feared. Their threat would diminish. King Ahaz had only to believe that God’s prediction was true and that an alliance with Assyria was not necessary.
Bible Verses to Read and Discuss:
Isaiah 7:3
- What message would have been felt by having Isaiah’s son present at this encounter? (his name meant “A Remnant Shall Return”)
Isaiah 7:4-8
- Why were Israel and Syria not to be feared?
- How would this affect Ahaz’ plan to make an alliance with Assyria? Why wouldn’t it be necessary?
Isaiah 7:9 and 2 Chronicles 28:19
- What made it unlikely that Ahaz would believe God’s word, delivered by Isaiah?
- Why is having faith in God so important?
Tuesday: Another Chance (Isaiah 7:10-13)
God must have known that King Ahaz would need extra incentive to believe His word about his enemies. He offered to give him a sign. Ahaz merely had to ask for it, and it could be anything on earth or in heaven (Isaiah 7:11).
Despite this generous offer, Ahaz replied by stating that “I will not ask, nor will I test the Lord!” (Isaiah 7:12). Outwardly, this may have sounded religiously motivated. He didn’t want to “weary” God. After all, the children of Israel, fleeing Egypt, were criticized for “tempting”, or testing God. See Exodus 17:2 and Deuteronomy 6:16.
But this was different. God was inviting him to test him. Much like God’s offer for us to test him concerning the tithe (Malachi 3:10). Ahaz’ refusal was both selfish and foolish. His pride prevented him from doing the one thing that might have saved his people.
By refusing to weary God with a sign, Ahaz had wearied God by his stubborn attitude and behavior.
Bible Verses to Read and Discuss:
Isaiah 7:10-13
- How was this offer another chance for Ahaz to accept God’s message and act accordingly?
Exodus 17:2, Deuteronomy 6:16, Luke 4:12, Matthew 16:1, Judges 6:39, 40, and Malachi 3:10
- When does it seem appropriate and even necessary to ask for a sign from God?
- What likely motivated Ahaz to refuse God’s offer of a sign?
Wednesday: Sign of a Son (Isaiah 7:14)
God, who must have felt rejection at Ahaz’s refusal to ask for a sign, mercifully gave him one anyway. This sign would encourage and inform many future generations. It was a prophecy of His own dear Son, who would be born of a virgin and whose name Immanuel meant “God With Us” (Isaiah 7:14).
We aren’t aware of anyone fitting this description during Ahaz’ lifetime, who may have served as a forerunner of Christ. But, we do know about the birth of Jesus later in Bethlehem, who definitely fulfilled the requirements of this prophecy.
This sign of a Son was later referred to throughout Isaiah’s writings. We are given many details about how to identify the true Son of God. The One who would prove, without a doubt, that God is with us.
Bible Verses to Read and Discuss:
Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, and Ezekiel 2:5
- Although there were few who responded to Isaiah’s message during his lifetime, why was it important for him to give it anyway?
Thursday: “God Is With Us”! (Isaiah 7:14)
The name Immanuel, meaning literally “God with us”, was a promise of God’s presence that would be with them, even before the Messiah’s birth. Hebrew names lacked verbs, so you might easily supply the word “is”–God IS with us.
This sign was meant to give the assurance that when they would experience hardship and pain, God would still be with them through it all. God’s presence has always been felt by those on earth, both before and after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.
When Stephen was condemned and was about to be stoned, he saw “Jesus standing at the right hand of God!” (Acts 7:55). Many Bible references describe Jesus SITTING at the right hand of God. See Hebrews 11:3.
So, we might conclude that Jesus did not take Stephen’s trouble sitting down. Nor will He take our trouble that way. The Son of God is actively intervening for us in the heavenly realm. He sends the Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen us, whenever we call on Him.
Bible Verses to Read and Discuss:
Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 8:10, and Romans 8:31, 39
- In what ways is God not only with us, but for us as well?
Romans 8:28
- Even though all things don’t always work out for our good here on earth (Stephen and John the Baptist still suffered and died), how else can God fulfill this promise?
Friday: Final Thoughts
King Ahaz thought he knew who his friends and enemies were. But he ended up being all wrong. His stubborn refusal to believe God cost his country miserably. Isaiah had clearly spelled out for him what his real threat was, but Ahaz refused to listen to God’s perspective.
How often we think we have some situation all figured out, but later learn that we had it all wrong. This should not surprise us. After all, we are human and have only limited ability to decipher all the details of our circumstances.
But when shown that our previous position was faulty, we should be willing to admit our miscalculations and pivot our efforts to correct any wrongs done. This kind of humble action is certainly required for many of us in the context of today’s world. Just as it was required of Ahaz.
Confusion is everywhere, now more than ever, and trust in just about everything is fast eroding. Only by focusing on God, in maintaining our relationship with Him, can we navigate the difficult religious and political waters we are drowning in. No human on earth can save us.
Let’s put our energy in getting to know God better. Satan will take care of himself. God is the solution. We are the problem. Only by recognizing our inadequate ability to save ourselves can we continue to survive and thrive in today’s world.
Next Week: Sabbath: The Hard Way (Isaiah 8)
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