ISAIAH
Isaiah 7:10-13

quote:

"Then the LORD spoke again to Ahaz, saying, 11 "Ask a sign for yourself from the LORD your God; make it deep as Sheol or high as heaven." 12 But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, nor will I test the LORD!" 13 Then he said, "Listen now, O house of David! Is it too slight a thing for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my God as well?"

God spoke to King Ahaz through His prophet Isaiah. The Lord wanted to give Ahaz a sign that would convince him there was no reason to fear. The Lord is being truly gracious in giving Ahaz the choice of anything he asked for. Here is God in His mercy approaching rebellious Ahaz hoping he would manifest faith. But Ahaz does not want a sign because he has no intention of obeying.

So Ahaz tried to cleverly disguise his refusal by leaning upon Deuteronomy 6:16a "You shall not put the LORD your God to the test". However, what Isaiah asked of Ahaz was not a tempting of God, but a command to obey and to place his trust in a God to Whom nothing was impossible. To try the patience of Isaiah was one thing, but to try the patience of a God who is gracious and long suffering and slow to anger shows just how stubborn and rebellious Ahaz was.

This short passage gives us insight into the character of God. God manifests His compassion and graciousness even to the rebellious in order to give them every opportunity to repent. He makes His will known to them and it is their choice to follow or not. Just as Romans 1:20 says, "they are without excuse".

Romans 1:21-22
"For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools"

When we know that God through His Holy Spirit is pursuing us to do His Will, let's not persist with excuses, nor continually refuse and darken our hearts until we can no longer accept His gracious offer.