The time of Ahaz becomes the occasion for the prophetic utterances of mercy and blessing through judgment found in this chapter.
The sign "IMMANUEL" Israel must own. When here on earth, the Son of David was rejected upon His first presentation to Israel. The house of David in responsibility must be judged, never to rise again as such, but the Lord gives a sign to His people, the virgin's Son IMMANUEL. This is the promise to the woman's seed.
The Land becomes IMMANUEL'S with the Assyrian taking the preeminence as the chief enemy, until Israel is completely delivered by IMMANUEL.
The prophet Isaiah and his son Shear-Jashub (The remnant shall return) are told to go and meet Ahaz to tell him, "Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted. If
ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established."
Also it was said, "Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. For before the child (Shear Jashub) shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good," the lands of the two kings, Syria and Ephraim, shall be forsaken.
The desolating army of the king of Assyria at this time moves on through the land of Judah into Egypt. It is at the same time that Egypt is taken captive after being driven back out of Palestine to their own land. What a picture of desolation after the land of Israel has been emptied by the Assyrian and his allies—"Briars and thorns", Jehovah says.