Isaiah 7:22

Isaiah 7:22 presents a striking image within the broader prophetic narrative concerning King Ahaz and the impending Assyrian invasion. While the mention of "butter and honey" might sound like a picture of prosperity, in its immediate context, it actually describes a scene of desolation and a return to a basic, subsistence economy for the few who survive the coming judgment.

Context

This verse is part of the "Immanuel prophecy" in Isaiah 7, delivered to King Ahaz of Judah during the Syro-Ephraimite War (around 735 BC). Ahaz was facing a formidable threat from the allied forces of King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah of Israel. God, through the prophet Isaiah, reassures Ahaz that these enemies will not succeed and offers a sign (the virgin birth of Immanuel, Isaiah 7:14).

However, the passage also foretells a subsequent, more devastating judgment: the coming of the Assyrian empire. Verses Isaiah 7:17-20 describe how the Lord will bring the king of Assyria to devastate the land, turning fertile fields into wild pasture, overgrown with thorns and briers. In this desolate landscape, agriculture will cease, and the few remaining inhabitants will rely on a pastoral existence.

Key Themes and Messages

• Desolation and Judgment: The "abundance of milk" is not a sign of thriving prosperity but a direct consequence of the land being depopulated and cultivated fields reverting to pasture. With fewer people and no farming, livestock can graze freely, leading to a surplus of dairy products. This imagery underscores the severity of the judgment that will sweep through the land.
• Survival of a Remnant: The phrase "every one eat that is left in the land" is crucial. It highlights that only a small portion of the population will survive the devastation, emphasizing the concept of a faithful remnant that endures God's purifying judgment.
• Subsistence Living: A diet consisting solely of "butter and honey" signifies a very basic, primitive existence. It implies the absence of grain, wine, or other staples that come from cultivated land. It's a diet of survival, not abundance, for those who have weathered a catastrophic invasion.
• God's Provision Amidst Hardship: Even in the midst of severe judgment and desolation, God provides for the basic needs of those who remain. While the circumstances are grim, the survivors will not starve, finding sustenance in the altered landscape.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "butter" is chem'ah (חֶמְאָה), which can refer to thick, curdled milk, cream, or cheese. It emphasizes the richness of dairy products. "Honey" (d'vash, דְּבַשׁ) here points to natural honey, likely from wild bees, rather than cultivated sweetness. The combination of "butter and honey" appears elsewhere, notably in Isaiah 7:15, where it is mentioned as the diet of Immanuel, perhaps symbolizing a simple, vulnerable beginning or a diet of those who live off the land.

Practical Application

Isaiah 7:22 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's counsel and relying on human strength or alliances rather than divine protection. For believers today, it underscores several timeless truths:

• The Reality of Consequences: Disobedience and failure to trust God can lead to severe consequences, even if God ultimately provides for a remnant.
• God's Sustaining Hand: Even in the direst circumstances, God's provision, though sometimes basic and stripped of luxuries, is evident for those He preserves.
• Spiritual Discernment: We must learn to look beyond immediate appearances. What seems like a blessing (abundance of milk) can, in context, signify profound loss and hardship. This calls for spiritual discernment to understand God's purposes in all situations.
• Dependence on God: The verse encourages us to reflect on our true source of sustenance and security, which is ultimately God alone, whether in times of plenty or scarcity.