Friday 20th of December
“The maiden is with child.”
Isaiah 7:10-14
This passage is within a conversation between Ahaz and the prophet Isaiah. The prophet is telling Ahaz about the imminent attack by the surrounding neighbours. But Ahaz does not heed the prophet’s advice. Isaiah is sent to him again to offer him a sign of his choice to know if Yahweh’s words are true. Ahaz suddenly gets very pious, and Isaiah gets a bit angry (v13) and says, “I will not ask, I will not put the Lord to the test.” (v12). Isaiah nevertheless tells him, “The Lord himself shall give you a sign: The Virgin is with child and will bear a son and will name him Emmanuel.” A sign can be a very small thing, and it can be through ordinary events. It depends on how our faith recognizes them from God. Isaiah tells Ahaz that the sign is as small as a baby. Have you ever found yourself asking God for a sign? How do you see the sign in the birth of baby Jesus, our Saviour? What sign are we waiting for?