vii. 1-9. _And it came to pass, in the days of Ahaz the son
of Jotham, &c._
The historical statements[1] in these verses afford illustrations of
spiritual truths. +I. The powers of evil are confederate against the
Lord's people+ (vers. 1, 2, 6). By the combined forces of evil, God's
chosen ones have always been assailed. The conflict began in Eden,
and has continued ever since. These combined forces attacked our
Lord, and appeared for a time, outwardly at least, to conquer. We
must expect similar assaults (John xvi. 33). The ultimate object of
these foes is to destroy our spiritual life. +II. The Lord's people
are often terrified by the action of their foes.+ Two things may
contribute to this. 1. _A sense of personal guilt._ Conscience often
slumbers in prosperity, but awakens and alarms us when danger
threatens. No doubt Ahaz remembered his sin, when he saw his foes
were coming. 2. _Distrust of the Lord._ It does not appear that Ahaz
told the Lord about his trouble, or sought His help. His idolatry had
led him into unbelief--a frequent cause of the Christian's terrors.
He looks at his troubles, and sinks, because he does not lay hold on
Christ (Matt. xiv. 30). +III. God seeks to allay the fears of His
people in the hour of their trouble.+ This is done in three ways.
1. _By exhorting them to keep their minds calm._ "Take heed, and be
quiet; fear not, neither be faint-hearted." Picture Ahaz restless,
excited, his breast fainting, hope and courage failing. How timely
was the prophet's exhortation! how helpful it might have been to
Ahaz! Who of us does not know the blessedness of such an appeal? We
have been excited, trembling, fainting, because of temporal dangers
or spiritual foes, and in our agitation have been likely to do
something foolish. But a voice has said, "Fear not; be calm!" Who
says, "Fear not"? The loving, omnipotent Saviour, who is able to
deliver us. 2. _By showing His people the weakness of their foes._
They are only the "two tails of smoking firebrands." You think them
powerful, but they are really weak (1 John iv. 4). 3. _By predicting
the failure of the plans of their foes_ (vers. 7-9)--a prediction
which was fulfilled sixty-five years afterwards, when Esarhaddon
desolated the country, and filled it with foreigners. So God shows to
us the weakness of our foes, and predicts their failure. +IV. God
shows His people that faith is necessary for the establishment of
their peace+ (ver. 9. See also 2 Chron. xx. 20; Isa.
xxvi. 3).--_H. F. Walker._