Isaiah 7:21
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep.”
Context plays a crucial role in understanding any biblical passage. Therefore, let’s start by providing some background information on the chapter and the surrounding verses.
Isaiah 7 is set in the historical context of the Syro-Ephraimite War, which took place around 735-732 BC. The kingdoms of Aram (Syria) and Israel (Ephraim) formed an alliance against the kingdom of Judah, whose capital was Jerusalem. Ahaz, the king of Judah at the time, was faced with the imminent threat of invasion.
Now, let’s focus on Isaiah 7:21. This verse is part of a prophetic message that Isaiah delivered to King Ahaz. God instructed Isaiah to reassure Ahaz and provide him with a sign to confirm that God was with him and would protect Judah from the invading armies.
In Isaiah 7:15-17, God promised Ahaz that by the time a child, referred to as Immanuel (meaning “God with us”), was old enough to discern between good and evil, the lands of the two invading kings would be deserted. The presence of a child who would grow up in a time of peace would indicate God’s faithfulness and protection. The verse following this promise, Isaiah 7:18, sets the stage for verse 21.
Isaiah 7:18 (KJV) states, “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.”
Here, the “fly” and the “bee” represent the enemies that God would send to defeat the Assyrians and Egyptians, respectively. The imagery conveys that God is in control and will summon these adversaries to bring judgment upon the nations.
In Isaiah 7:19-20, God speaks of the judgment that would come upon Judah as well. The mention of “the LORD shall shave with a razor that is hired” represents the judgment of a foreign power, likely Assyria, that would invade Judah and inflict suffering upon the people.
Finally, we come to Isaiah 7:21. This verse presents a contrasting image. In the midst of turmoil and suffering, it describes a time when the land would be sparsely populated and resources scarce. The phrase “a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep” symbolizes the scarcity and hardship that would befall the land. It represents a time when even a small number of animals would be treasured and cared for meticulously to ensure their survival.
Overall, Isaiah 7:21 serves as a reminder of the consequences of the impending invasion and highlights the challenging times that would befall Judah. It emphasizes the importance of trust and reliance on God during times of difficulty, as well as the need to value and steward the limited resources one has.
It’s important to note that the message of Isaiah 7:21 is specific to the historical context of Judah during the Syro-Ephraimite War. However, as with any biblical passage, we can draw broader principles from it and apply them to our lives today. These principles may include trusting in God during times of hardship, valuing and stewarding the resources we have, and finding hope in God’s faithfulness even in the midst of challenging circumstances.
