Scripture Passage
Later, the LORD sent this message to King Ahaz: “Ask the LORD your God for a sign of confirmation, Ahaz. Make it as difficult as you want—as high as heaven or as deep as the place of the dead.”
But the king refused. “No,” he said, “I will not test the LORD like that.”
(Isaiah 7:10-12 NLT)
Observation
I’m intrigued today by God’s offer and Ahaz’ refusal.
Fairly early in his reign as king of Judah, Ahaz is facing the threat of invasion from an alliance formed between Israel and Syria. When Isaiah is told to find him at “the aqueduct that feeds water into the upper pool” (Isaiah 7:3 NLT), Ahaz is probably busy securing the site against future enemy attack. A secure water supply would have been essential for a city under siege.
In that context, Isaiah delivers a promise from God—a promise with a conclusion that makes it clear—God’s deliverance is dependent upon Ahaz’ response of faith:
Unless your faith is firm,
I cannot make you stand firm
(Isaiah 7:9 NLT)
And then, as if God’s promise might not be enough, God sweetens the pot. Through Isaiah, God delivers an additional challenge/opportunity:
“Ask the LORD your God for a sign of confirmation, Ahaz. Make it as difficult as you want—as high as heaven or as deep as the place of the dead.” (Isaiah 7:11 NLT)
And verse 10 says…
But the king refused. “No,” he said, “I will not test the LORD like that.” (Isaiah 7:12 NLT)
Ahaz likely had in mind Deuteronomy 6:16—"Do not test the LORD your God as you did at Massah." The thing is, it wouldn’t have been Ahaz testing God in this case—God was testing Ahaz!
And Ahaz failed. Ahaz failed for religious reasons…on religious grounds.
When God made an offer, Ahaz quoted and misapplied God’s Word, voiding the opportunity God was presenting. And it simply makes me wonder—as a religious guy…
(Oh, I know…this is not about religion but about relationship. I also know that for nearly 4/5ths of my life, I’ve proudly worn the label “Christian”…which means I’m probably carrying more Pharisaical baggage than I can possibly know.)
It simply makes me wonder—as a religious guy—how often I might be guilty of voiding God’s opportunity with my religious thinking…of times when maybe—just maybe—God was ready to do a remarkable thing, and I voided His offer (with religious objections, no less) because my heart couldn’t conceive of it. That scares me.
“Lord, when your Spirit speaks promise into my heart, do not let me cloud the promise with religious limitations. Grant that I might latch on—hard—to any offer you might make. Because I know, it’s always a good gift you offer your children!
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