Post by Nephi –
As the writings of Isaiah continue in the plates of brass, he makes an interesting prophecy that again I believe is a type of Christ.
As you probably know Israel and Judah became independent kingdoms after the reign of Solomon. Pekah, the king of Israel was also called Ephraim. He had formed an alliance with Rezin, king of Syria, to fight against Assyria who was extracting tribute from these nations. This Syo-Ephraimite alliance was anxious to include Judah. Ahaz, the king of Judah was counseled by Isaiah not to join in this confederacy. Rezin and Ephriam threatened to besiege Jerusalem and remove Ahaz who would not cooperate, and replace him with the son of Tabeal. Isaiah, at the direction of the Lord, went to Ahaz to assure him that the Syro-Ephraimite alliance would not succeed and foretold that within about 65 years the kingdom of Israel would cease to exist.
Isaiah told Ahaz that if he did not believe this promise and prophecy, he would not be established. In fact Isaiah invited Ahaz to ask the Lord if this prophecy weren’t true. Ahaz was a wicked man who served false gods, even practicing child sacrifice. Ahaz had no interest in following the Lord or trusting in Him so he refused to ask the Lord. He told Isaiah the reason we didn’t ask was because he didn’t want to offend the Lord by asking for a sign. How often are we asked to do just what Isaiah asked of Ahaz – to ask the Lord for a witness of the truthfulness of His teachings. We certainly do not ask for some outward sign but to seek a witness of the spirit is not only appropriate but a commandment.
Isaiah knew better and so he chastised Ahaz for his hypocrisy and told Ahaz he was going to get a sign anyway. And what a glorious prophecy followed. Isaiah proclaimed that a virgin would concieve and bear a son – even Immanuel. As has been prophesied by other prophets we typically refer to the Messiah. But since the term virgin is also sometimes in earlier days meant a young woman of child bearing age, the prophecy of Ephriam and Rezin which I have seen fulfilled, would lead me to think this prophecy of a child being born would be a type of Christ and could have referred to Hezekiah, Ahaz’s son or even Isaiah’s son Maher-shalal-hash-baz.
Isaiah continued saying that before the child would reach the age of accountability both the kings of Syria and Israel would be removed. He also said that Judah would be attacked by Assyria and Egypt and left desolate. As a result, the once fertile agricultural land would be overrun by briers and thorns, leaving it practically uninhabitable. Ahaz did not trust the Lord to protect them against Rezin and Ephriam and so he plundered the temple in Jerusalem to buy protection from the King of Assyria.
This prophecy is typical of God’s relationship with His covenant people. When we stray, He will send prophets to warn, teach and exhort, He will prosper His people when they are obedient and He will chasten them when they are not. I believe this message holds true for a covenant people as a whole and as individuals.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 17:1 – 25)
