“God speaks comfort to many who not only are not worthy of it, but do not so much as inquire after it.”
Matthew Henry
One of the key themes of the book of Isaiah is the call on both leaders and people to trust God and not lean on other, and in the final analysis undependable, resources. God was calling King Ahaz to trust in him and not to look to Assyria for help against the kings Rezin and Peka. (see Isaiah 7 for background) God, through the prophet Isaiah, even gave Ahaz an incredible gift. He offered Ahaz the opportunity to ask for a sign. Here is the passage:
10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: 11 “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” 13 And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:10-14)
Ahaz refuses the gift of the Lord and instead of taking advantage of this opportunity hides behind the mask of false piety or false godliness. He says that he will not ask and that he “will not put the Lord to the test.” This is a reference to Deuteronomy 6:16 which commands the same. However, Ahaz’s sin his disobedience, is especially egregious because he cites Scripture in order to pursue his own agenda and plans. These plans do not include trusting, obeying, or acknowledging the Lord. Here is an account of his character from 2 Kings:
2 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord his God, as his father David had done, 3 but he walked in the way of the kings of Israel. He even burned his son as an offering, according to the despicable practices of the nations whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel. 4 And he sacrificed and made offerings on the high places and on the hills and under every green tree. (2 Kings 16:2-4)
Ahaz’s sin of false piety or false godliness is not a rare one. It is found today as well. What are some characteristics of false piety? What does a false religious life look like?
- False piety hides behind the letter of the law while denying its intent. Ahaz will not “test” the Lord but would rather use the word (citing Deuteronomy 6:16) to escape obedience.
- False piety is comfortable with a disconnect between the lips and the heart. Note that the Lord had cleansed the lips of Isaiah and Isaiah had confessed that he “dwelt in the midst of a people of unclean lips.” (see Isaiah 6:1-7)
- False piety is revealed by the alliances that we feel comfortable making. Ahaz looked to Assyria rather than the Lord. What alliances are we pursuing that weaken our trust in the Lord?
Finally, although Ahaz refused the sign, God was gracious and gave both Ahaz and future generations an amazing sign. What was it? The what was actually a who. It was Immanuel or “God with us.” The Gospel of Matthew describes Jesus using that prophecy, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.” (Matthew 1:23) Today, seek no other alliances except the one that truly matters, trust Christ today. Have a great week and we will see many of you on Sunday.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Dale
