It was a dark time for Israel. The plots of war against them caused the king to shake “as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind” (Isa.7:2). Isaiah delivered a message from God—Israel would not be destroyed, now, but in 65 years it would be decimated. Talk about good news, bad news!
But Isaiah had more to say and described a sign they would receive:
“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (v 14).
One unspoken detail—this will happen in approximately 750 years.
All Isaiah’s prophecies came true. Israel was not destroyed, her enemies were. Sixty-five years later she was taken captive by Assyria. Hundreds of years later Immanuel was born, fulfilling more words from Isaiah:
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light…
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…
of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end” (Isa.9:2-7).
Our perspective of life and time is immediate and often urgent. We watch wars and hear rumors of wars emanate from our screens. Nations again conspire to destroy Israel.
Peace is only possible when we trust God to unfold His plan in His perfect way and perfect time. All His prophecies are true. What He said, He did, and will yet do.
BARBARA HIGBY 