1. Revival or Captivity? Lesson 2

2. Review Judah’s kings are all in the line of David Israel had a string of evil kings, who mainly ascended by assassination Isaiah prophesied during the reign of Uzziah, Jotham and Ahaz Isaiah’s prophecies concerned the Southern Kingdom of Judah

3. 2 Kings 16:1-6 2 Chron. 28:1-7 Themes: 2 Kings Ahaz king of Judah 2 Chronicles 28 Ahaz king of Judah Ahaz reigned for 16 years; more evil than any king of Judah before him Uzziah and Jotham left a godly legacy Ahaz sacrificed his sons in the fire Brought Baal worship back into the Southern Kingdom

4. Isaiah 7 Isaiah’s vision is during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah concerning Judah and Jerusalem Shear-jashub – “a remnant will return” Isaiah 7:4 Take care Be calm Have NO fear Do not be fainthearted

5. Isaiah 7:8-12 Ephraim (the northern kingdom) would no longer be a people in 65 years If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all (ESV) “Ask for a sign” commandment from God Ahaz refused!!!!!!! He didn’t believe God

6. Isaiah 7 Virgin: ‘almah’ – a young maid of marriageable age Matt. 1:18-25 Virgin: ‘parthenos’ – a woman who had never known a man sexually “The difference between this Greek definition and setting and the Hebrew setting and meaning is that Mary was a virgin when Jesus was born, but the virgin in Isaiah and Ahaz’s day became pregnant later by a man and then gave birth to the child named “Immanuel.” She had been a virgin at the time of the prophecy, but Mary stayed one until after Jesus’ birth.”

7. Isaiah 7:17-20 Poverty, destruction and devastation prophesied Verse 21 A man may keep alive a heifer and a pair of sheep Abundance of milk Eat curds and honey Used to be vines, not briars and thorns No more cultivated fields Pasturing for oxen and sheep to trample

8. Isaiah 8 Maher-shalal-hash-baz – swift is the booty, speedy is the prey Before that son reached the age to speak, Assyria would carry away Damascus and Samaria “Gently flowing waters of Shiloah” = God Is. 8:8 Same enemy would come upon Judah Is. 8:9-10 “It will not stand for God is with us” Assyria would not COMPLETELY take Judah

9. 2 Kings 16 2 Chronicles 28 Rezin and Pekah come against Judah Judah was not overcome completely Pekah killed 120,000 valiant men and took 200,000 women and children They were returned AFTER Obed the prophet protested Ahaz seeks help from Tiglath-pileser but he afflicted them instead of helping

10. Hebrews and Jeremiah Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please God…… Jeremiah 17:5-8 The one who trusts in the Lord will be like a tree planted by water, not fearing or anxious

11. Ahaz Judah humbled because of Ahaz 2 Chron. 28:19 Lack of restraint in Judah and Ahaz was very unfaithful to the Lord Sacrificed to the gods of Damascus Duplicated the altar in Damascus and replaced the one in the temple in Jerusalem Took things from the temple to pay Pul He closed the doors of the temple Wasn’t buried with the other kings of Judah

12. Application God is patient and persevering with His people God is a covenant keeping God God DOES NOT CHANGE God is faithful God is trustworthy God always has a remnant of faithful followers Will you be that faithful remnant?