Ahaz’s Rejection of Christ

On Sunday I preached on Isaiah 7, which contains that well known passage about the virgin conceiving a Son who will be called Immanuel. This is often repeated at carol services, but we also looked at the verses’ immediate context- the invasion of Judah by a Syro-Israelite alliance and God’s prophesied destruction of them by Assyria. Ahaz, Judah’s unbelieving king, rejected God’s sign of the coming Messiah, preferring instead a vassal-relationship with Tigleth Pileser, King of Assyria. By volunteering to wear the Assyrian yoke in return for that kingdom attacking his enemies, the monster he unleashed would one day attack his own descendants. Herod rejected the Christ-child when he was born; Ahaz rejected him 700 years before He was even conceived, preferring instead a military alliance with a terrifying nation. 85 years before, his predecessor Jehu, was recorded on the black obelisk in the British Museum, prostrate before Shalmaneser, offering him tribute: maddattu ša Ia-ú-a kaspu mâdu "tribute of Jehu...much silver".

Rather than submit to the Messiah-King, born among us, who gives generously of His grace and riches to those who yield to Him, we often prefer to offer our devotion, silver and loyalty to uncaring, heartless idols. Which other god loves His people as Christ? Which politician or hero can offer a deliverance like He can give?