There is a big difference between tempting someone to do something wrong and having your faith tested. God never tempts, encourages, or puts anyone in a situation with the intent that they are tempted to sin. God is never part of anything that is sinful. At times, however, He all

When we are tested it helps us to understand where we are spiritually. When we are tested it provides us with an
opportunity to act faithfully and to accomplish the will of God by being a Godly witness to others.

Verse 1: “It came about in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to make war against her, but could not prevail against her.”

King of Judah: The emphasis is on the southern kingdom of Israel (called Judah). The capital city of this southern kingdom was Jerusalem.
Rezin king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel (the northern kingdom – ie the other nine tribes of Israel and some of the tribe of Levi): These two kings banded together and went as one army to war against Jerusalem. This northern kingdom of Israel
was more populated and had greater resources than the southern kingdom. They also had an alliance with this king of Syria.

Could not prevail against her: God did not allow these two kingdoms to defeat the southern kingdom.

Verse 2: “And it was told to the house of David, saying, ‘Syria’s forces have formed an alliance with Ephraim.’ So his heart and the heart of his people shook as the trees of the woods are moved with the wind.”

The house of David: This is a very important, prophetic term. The sages of Judaism says that it is a Messianic term. It speaks of those who believe in the Messianic promise – viz Redemption. If there is redemption it means that there is a Redeemer. This term refers to
those who have faith in the promises of God.

Ephraim: The northern kingdom was known as Israel, but it was also known as Ephraim. This confederacy between Ephraim and Syria had already been established, but now this news was being broadcast to the southern kingdom, as they had previously been unaware of that alliance.

Shook: When King Ahaz and the people of the southern kingdom heard that this alliance had been made, they were terrified. They knew that they were outnumbered, and they knew that this powerful Confederacy was gearing up for war and, ultimately, for the destruction
of their southern kingdom and of Jerusalem.

Verse 3: “And the Lord said to Isaiah, ‘Go out and meet Ahaz, you and your son ShearJashub, at the end of the canal of the upper pool, which is on the road called the Fuller’s Field.’”

Isaiah: His name means ‘God who is salvation’. God had a plan to save His people.

Shear-Jashub: This name means ‘A remnant will return’. In this passage God, through Isaiah, is reminding His people of His promise of redemption. Part of this redemptive promise is that there is going to be a remnant that returns back to the land in order for the
establishment of the kingdom. The name of Isaiah’s son speaks about God’s promise of restoration. It speaks about a future reality of redemption.

The upper pool: Traditionally, the sages of Judaism say that this was where the people would go out and have their clothes washed. In the Bible, clean clothes speak about good deeds (Revelation 19:8). Good deeds are done as an outcome of faith. When faith is functional, its fruit is good deeds. When faith is dead, no works are seen (Faith without works is dead). Our works do not save us, but, once we are saved, our faith causes us to do good works and testifies to our salvation. It was significant that Isaiah was to meet Ahaz in this location. It is a location that speaks about a change, a clean garment, a new identity.

God was wanting to bring change to Ahaz and to this southern kingdom.