King Ahaz statement about not testing God

Hi RGW,

Based on the very words of God immediately after Ahaz refuses to ask God for a sign as instructed that he was being rebellious to God's request of him. Yes, God did go ahead and give the sign despite Ahaz's refusal to ask. I think the historical record of Ahaz's reign over Israel is that he was not a faithful king.

God bless you,
In Christ, ted

He has the appearance of righteousness, but it's actually self-righteousness. The Lord had already spoken to Ahaz and shown great kindness and good will to him and Judah at a time of great distress. Now He returns, through Isaiah, and offers to confirm His previous word with a sign. But the king distrusts this word of the Lord, and thinks it is some kind of entrapment he must avoid falling into.

Jesus warns us, "an evil generation seeks a sign", but here, the king wasn't seeking the sign, it was freely offered. There was no reason to refuse the offer, except unbelief or actually accusing the Lord of evil intentions. The Lord delights when we have faith in His word. Here He was trying to build that faith, for Judah's sake, but the king instead kept the Lord at arm's length.

The Lord responds to the rebuff by essentially predicting the coming new covenant, with the accompanying transfer of favor to the new nation that is in Christ, and the land of Judah falling into deep judgment. It's the natural olive tree being cut off and the wild one being grafted in, as Paul describes in Romans.

God had told Ahaz, through the prophet, to ask for a sign.

Ahaz refused, feigning concern for the Lord's will.

The prophet correctly surmised this, and castigated Ahaz appropriately.