NOTES for Isa 7:1-25
Very strong enemies attacked Judea, forming an alliance against King Ahaz. The king is in a panic, and God through the prophet Isaiah offers His protection; one need only believe Him. To strengthen faith, God is even ready to give a sign, which is not very usual for Him: see Mark 8:12. But Ahaz does not want to ask for it. Nevertheless, God gives a prophecy about the coming salvation connected with the birth of a certain Child with the very significant name Immanuel, meaning God with us. The later prophecies of Isaiah and of other prophets will clarify this image of the Child, the Messiah, the Savior, so that humanity turns out to be prepared for the Nativity of Christ. Again we see how God's answer to human evil, war, fear, unbelief, becomes conquering good: the birth of the Son of Man.