Francis Patrick Kenrick

Isai. vii. 14. The prediction here cited was uttered on occasion of the siege of Jerusalem, by the joint forces of the kings of Syria and Israel. Isaiah being sent to Achaz, king of Judah, to assure him that the besieging armies should not prevail, directed the prince to ask from God a sign to that effect ; but Achaz professed an unwillingness to tempt God, by demanding extraordinary manifestations. Then the prophet rel)uking him, said that God himself would give a sign in the birth of Emmanuel from a virgin, adding : " He will eat butter and honey, that he may know how to refuse the evil and to choose the good. For before the child know to refuse the evil, and to choose the good, the land which thou abhorresl shall be forsaken of the face of her two kings." These passages lead Calmet and others to consider the proximate deliverance of