The Son Who Trusted What His Father Refused

In 735 BC, King Ahaz stood in Jerusalem trembling. Two enemy armies were marching toward his gates. God, through the prophet Isaiah, offered him a lifeline — ask for any sign, as deep as Sheol or as high as heaven. Ahaz refused. Wrapping his cowardice in false piety, he said, "I will not put the Lord to the test." Instead, he sent gold stripped from the temple to buy Assyria's protection.…