Peggy Cowan
Maryville College

Immanuel

Three Level Guide for Reading on Isaiah 7

Instructions: Check the items that you find in the text of Isaiah 7.1-17, either explicitly for part I or implicitly for part II. Write the number of the verse(s) where you find the statement or idea. To complete part III, you will need to connect material from this text with knowledge you have gained earlier in the semester. Make sure you can justify your answers.

I. Literal Level: Check the items that explicitly represent some of the important details and actions in this part of Isaiah.

_____ 1. The kings of Aram and Ephraim have formed an alliance and tried to attack
                  Judah.

_____ 2. Ahaz is afraid of the alliance.

_____ 3. According to Isaiah, YHWH tells Ahaz to ask for a sign from God.

_____ 4. In explaining the sign, the prophet refers to a woman who is pregnant.

_____ 5. The child whom this woman bears will be called Son of God.

_____ 6. The prophet identifies the sign as a future savior.

_____ 7. The prophet says that the land of Aram and Ephraim will be deserted by
                   the time Immanuel can tell good from evil.

II. Interpretive Level: Several of the statements that are listed below may represent what the prophet Isaiah means. If you think any of the statements are reasonable inferences and conclusions, put a check on the line provided. Be prepared to support your answers by citing parts of the text.

_____ 1. The prophet does not believe that Aram (Damascus) and Ephraim (Samaria) will conquer Jerusalem.

_____ 2. The prophecy in Isaiah 7 is addressed to King Ahaz of Judah.

_____ 3. King Ahaz is so trusting of God that he refuses the sign offered by the prophet.

_____ 4. The prophet predicts the coming of the messiah in the distant future.

_____ 5. The prophet predicts that the kings of Damascus and Samaria will be defeated in the near future.

_____ 7. The prophet suggests that Judah has failed to demonstrate trust in God.

_____ 8. Immanuel is born miraculously of a virgin.

III. Applied Level: To apply what you read means to take information and ideas from what you have read and connect them to what you already know. If you think that the statements below are supported by statements in section II and by your study of the Hebrew Bible thus far, place a check in the blank provided. Be sure you have good reasons to justify your answers.

_____ 1. The ancient Israelite prophets predicted the coming of Jesus Christ.

_____ 2. Prophets in ancient Israel spoke to concrete situations of their own time.

_____ 3. Prophetic language often uses poetic imagery to convey its message.

_____ 4. The speaker probably comes from a prophetic tradition that places hope in the royal family of David and defines the relationship with God as primarily one of trust

IV. What was the Purpose of this exercise? What did you learn from it?