Understanding the Book of Isaiah - Part 2 - Dual Prophecies

Another key to the Book of Isaiah is that Isaiah wrote many dual prophecies. This means that the prophecy referred to an event in Isaiah's time and to an event in the future. A classic example of this is in Isaiah 7:10-16.

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NIV

10 ¶Moreover the Lord spake again unto Ahaz, saying, 11 Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. 12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord. 13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. 16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.” 13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. 15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, 16 for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.

In this example, Isaiah wants to tell Ahaz, the King of Judah, that he has a sign. Isaiah says, "Ask me for a sign!". Ahaz says "Ain't no way I'm tempting the Lord and asking you for a sign! Didn't you read about Korihor in Alma 30 where he asked for a sign and was struck dumb?"

Isaiah then can't contain himself and gives him the sign anyways. The sign refers to a child born at that time (perhaps Isaiah's son mentioned in Isaiah 7:3) and to the Messiah. Mathew used this scripture as proof of Christ being the promised Messiah in Matt 1:22-23.

This technique is used numerous times throughout Isaiah. I believe his purpose is, as above, to testify of the coming Christ. He shows us an event in his time, that he prophesied of, to show us that surely the event in the future will indeed happen.