Prophecy (2)

While many have considered v. 16 to be a continuation of the prophecy in 7:13–15, the grammar of the passage suggests otherwise. The opening phrase in Hebrew can reflect an adversative nuance, allowing for a disjunction between the child described in 7:13–15 and the one described in verse 16. There is a different child in view in this verse.26 The Identity of the Child. So who is the child in 7:16? In light of Isaiah being directed to bring his own son to the confrontation with the king at the conduit of the upper pool (cf. 7:3), it makes most sense to identify the lad as Shear-Jashub. Otherwise there would be no purpose for God directing Isaiah to bring the boy. Thus having promised the virgin birth of the Messiah (7:13–15), the prophet then points to the very small boy that he has brought along and says, "But before this lad (using the article with a demonstrative force) knows enough to refuse evil and choose good, the land whose two kings you dread will be forsaken."27 In this way, Shear-Jashub functioned as a sign to the king. Appropriately, Isaiah could tell Judah in the very next chapter, "Here I am with the children the LORD has given me to be signs and wonders in Israel from the LORD of Hosts who dwells on Mount Zion" (8:18).
Michael Rydelnik
The Messianic Hope: Is the Hebrew Bible Really Messianic?

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Michael Rydelnik Messiah Isaiah Prophecy

[Isaiah 7] Having completed his long-term prophecy, Isaiah gave a short-term prophecy. In doing so, he followed a frequent pattern in his book. He consistently did this so his readership could have confidence in the distant prediction by observing the fulfillment of the near one.The Messianic Hope: Is the Hebrew Bible Really Messianic?

Michael Rydelnik Messiah Isaiah Prophecy

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Prophecy (2)

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