Fourteen and Counting - "Surprise!"

 

The Annunciation by Leonardo De Vinci, Uffizi, Florence.

As time passed the creator sent Isaiah again, to strengthen the king’s faith.

“Ask for a sign and it will give to you. Make it tough.”

But Ahaz said

“I’m not doing that. Playing around, that’s not my style.”

Isaiah was exasperated.

“Look, this isn’t just about you. It’s about the line of King David. There will be a sign - an impossibly

difficult sign also. A child will be born to a virgin mother. He will have the name ‘Restored Once

More’. He will understand justice from weaning. Before he grows up the threats you fear will be

gone. Until then your family will be safe. After that, the Assyrians and Egyptians will swarm over your land. They will come with a razor and scalp the hillsides. This is a hard message, and one to be respected.”

It's almost as if this secret is revealed though provocation.  Isaiah comes to help King Ahaz. It's important that the leader of the people knows he can trust his Creator.  But Ahaz will not play ball.  

Isaiah reveals that many impossible things will happen.  One, a miraculous conception.  The King's worries will pale into insignificance before this one.  Without protection, Israel will find itself kneecapped.  Without this child, we are all in for the chop.

Why do we refuse to heed the warning, given with plenty of time?  Nothing can stop the plans laid down before time.  The journey may look precarious, like 'leaping across a melting ice field' or traveling on a log down a raging torrent, as featured in many an action drama.  As with these films, you can be sure that the hero makes it through.  We know that our hero has made it through, and this apparent slip of the tongue has great significance for us all.