Prophecy to Achaz – Calamity or Consolation/2
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Prophecy of Calamity or Consolation?
Exegetical Approaches
Consolation
Yeshayahu's words constitute a prophecy of consolation and encouragement. This approach subdivides regarding the event about which Achaz is being comforted:
The Aramean-Israelite Threat
All of Yeshayahu's words relate to the threat posed by the Aramean-Israelite alliance. Yeshayahu tells Achaz that he need not worry since both countries are soon to be destroyed by Assyria.
Sources:A. Chakham1
Single message – One of the advantages of this approach is that it presents Yeshayahu as speaking about but one issue, with one unified message, throughout the chapter. Everything the prophet says relates to the downfall of Aram and Israel.
Anger regarding the sign – According to this approach, despite Yeshayahu's anger at Achaz for refusing a Divine sign, the prophet continues to promise Hashem's aid and encourage the king that he has nothing to fear from his enemies.
"יָבִיא י"י עָלֶיךָ... יָמִים אֲשֶׁר לֹא בָאוּ לְמִיּוֹם סוּר אֶפְרַיִם מֵעַל יְהוּדָה" – The words "יָבִיא י"י עָלֶיךָ" do not mean that calamity is to befall Yehuda. Rather, Yeshayahu shares that tumultuous events are to occur which Yehuda will be both witness to and affected by, but for good. Assyria is to decimate and exile Ephraim, an event which will be similar in gravity to the split of the kingdom.
Flies of Egypt and bees of Assyria – According to this approach, the mention of "זְּבוּב אֲשֶׁר בִּקְצֵה יְאֹרֵי מִצְרָיִם" is not intended to connote that Egypt was to join forces with Assyria; it is simply a metaphor for any vast army. As such, the image of both the flies and the bees refer to the swarms of Assyrian soldiers who were to fall upon Aram and Israel.
"תַעַר הַשְּׂכִירָה" – Assyria is likened to a "razor" as it is about to raze the lands of Aram and Israel until not a hair is left. This approach might agree with Rashi that "הַשְּׂכִירָה" refers to an honored or important person, rather than a hired hand.
"Butter and honey" – In both verses 15 and 21, the eating of "fat and honey" is considered a blessing. Yeshayahu declares that after Aram and Israel are defeated, the cattle of the Judeans will give forth so much milk that butter will be made from the leftovers. This positive understanding of the image is supported by its similarity to the phrase "אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ", a description which consistently has a positive connotation in Tanakh.
Description of destruction in verses 23-24 – The description of desolation in verses 23-25 relates to the lands of Aram and Israel. After they are subdued by Assyria, the land will be barren and overgrown.
Both the Aramean-Israelite and the Assyrian Threat
Rebuke
Yeshayahu's words constitute a rebuke to Achaz for not trusting in Hashem's promise that He will aid Yehuda. As punishment for seeking human assistance, Achaz is told that Assyria will smite not only Aram and Israel, but Yehuda as well.
Refusal to receive a sign – Achaz's refusal to ask for a sign betrayed his lack of belief in Hashem's aid, clarifying to Yeshayahu that Achaz had no intention of heeding his advice to trust in God and not seek foreign assistance ("הִשָּׁמֵר וְהַשְׁקֵט").
The sign: Emanuel – Shadal claims that due to Achaz' refusal to ask for a sign, Yeshayahu gave him one which did not suffice to calm his fears. Since the birth of Emanuel was not to be immediate, Achaz was left to his worries. This ensured that he continued on the path he had set for himself, bribing Assyria to come to his aid against his enemies (See Melakhim II 16:8-9 and Divrei HaYamim II 28:16)
"יָבִיא י"י עָלֶיךָ... אֵת מֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר" – According to these sources, these words imply that Assyria will attack Yehuda itself. After telling Achaz about the fall of Aram and Israel, Yeshayahu warns Achaz that the very kingdom whom he hoped would help him, will eventually turn on him and devastate his country. As Divrei HaYamim shares, "וַיָּבֹא עָלָיו תִּלְּגַת פִּלְנְאֶסֶר מֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר וַיָּצַר לוֹ וְלֹא חֲזָקוֹ".
"תַעַר הַשְּׂכִירָה" – The image of a "תַעַר הַשְּׂכִירָה" refers to Assyria, so called because he had been "hired" by Achaz to attack Aram and Israel.
Flies of Egypt – This approach might suggest
