Ok don't get lost in all those crazy names in v1 because it can be confusing. An institute teacher taught me this lesson this last semester and I learned the history behind what is going on. There are these three powers or nations in a small area: Judah, Israel, and Syria (then there is Assyria close by that will come up later). Israel (refered to as Ephraim) and Syria are confederate (or compadres) and desire to war against Jerusalem (a part of Judah) to assign a leader that will follow their orders (v1-6). The Lord is warning Isaiah to warn Ahaz, king of Judah, of this and to not be afraid because he will not let this happen (v3-4,7). The head (leader) of these nations are listed and it is said they will be scattered and those that lack faith will not be saved (v8-9).
The Lord speaks to Ahaz and tells him to ask for a sign but Ahaz does not want to test The Lord because he is faithful (v10-12). Normally we should not ask for a sign, but if The Lord himself tells you to ask for a sign, you ask! He already has a plan such as the one he had hear to tell of the coming of Christ (v13-14). He then describes how the child will be born if a virgin and how he lives and knows of good and evil (v14-16).
Here is where Assyria is mentioned as being the immediate danger and will hiss (signal/summon) for the fly (attacking forces) (v17-18). After a war, the land will be desolate and depopulated by the foreign invader while only a few self-sustaining survivors shall remain (v19-21). Most people will be nomads living on simple butter and honey while the land is turned from a place of war and thorns to a something that can be hoed (v22-25).
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