Man Behind the Curtain

Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, "Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven." But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test." And he said, "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted." (Isaiah 7:10-16)

The promise-sign of a virgin who births a child was given in response to Ahaz's timidity to ask God for a sign. In the Lord's apparent irritation ("how you weary me with your reservation!"), He provides an enigma that Israel's conflict will be over. This episode, like that of Jacob's wrestling, tells me that the Lord is sometimes waiting for us to be bold, brash and even as importunate as the widow who annoyed the judge in Jesus' parable. It is as if to show that approaching Oz in boldness will not reveal a disappointing man behind the curtain, but a surprising God who, in righteousness, mercy and might is ever for us and with us. Immanuel.

First snow, Winter's kiss

My pity for those who only have three words for snow, that is, snow, damnedsnow and Wisconsin. For those who wonder, I think of Minnesota as merely Wisconsin in extremis, and Michigan's UP as Wisconsin with a line through it. Happy Winter. Blessed Christ-mas.