Why Did Ahaz Refuse to Ask a Sign
Isaiah 7:12
But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.


Ahaz who looked on Jehovah not as his God, but only (like any of his heathen neighbours) as the god of Judaea, and as such inferior in the god of Assyria, and who had determined to apply to the King of Assyria, or perhaps had already applied to him as a more trustworthy helper than Jehovah in the present strait, declines to ask a sign, excusing himself by a canting use of the words of Moses, "Thou shalt not tempt Jehovah." He refused the sign, because he knew it would confirm the still struggling voice of his conscience; and that voice he had resolved not to obey, since it bade him give up the Assyrian, and trust in Jehovah henceforth.

(Sir E. Strachey, Bart.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.

WEB: But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, neither will I tempt Yahweh."




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