What is the significance of "a young cow and two sheep" in Isaiah 7:21? Scripture Text (Isaiah 7:21–22) “On that day a man will raise a young cow and two sheep, and from the abundance of milk they give, he will eat curds; for everyone who is left in the land will eat curds and honey.” Setting the Scene • Isaiah is addressing King Ahaz as armies from Aram and the Northern Kingdom press in (Isaiah 7:1–2). • God promises a sign—Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14)—and warns that Assyria will sweep through the land (Isaiah 7:17–20). • Verses 21–25 picture what daily life will look like after that invasion. Why Mention “a Young Cow and Two Sheep”? • A “young cow” (literally, a heifer) and “two sheep” are tiny remnants of a once-large herd. • The image speaks of drastic reduction: fields once crowded with livestock (compare Isaiah 5:17) now hold just three animals. • It underlines the literal, physical aftermath of war—farms devastated, population thinned, only a few survivors tending minimal stock. Devastation: A Land Stripped Bare • Assyrian raids would destroy crops, vines, and orchards (Isaiah 7:23–25). • Owning only three animals means former prosperity is gone; the economy is in shambles (cf. Deuteronomy 28:47–51). • Briars and thorns replace cultivated fields (Isaiah 7:24)—a reversal of Eden-like blessing (Genesis 3:17–18). Provision: God Sustains the Remnant • Even so, “abundance of milk” flows from that little flock; God turns scarcity into sufficiency. • Curds and honey—simple, wilderness fare—become the staple diet of “everyone who is left.” • This echoes earlier promises that God cares for His remnant (Isaiah 1:9; Micah 7:14–15). Dual Message Wrapped in One Image • Judgment: the small herd marks national humiliation. • Mercy: the milk and honey reveal ongoing divine provision. • Together they assure Ahaz—and us—that God keeps His word both in discipline and in care. Connections with Other Scriptures • Isaiah 37:30 – After Assyria’s assault, Judah would again “eat what grows of itself,” another sign of survival by God’s hand. • Psalm 23:1 – “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Even with reduced resources, His people lack nothing essential. • James 1:17 – “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” Milk from a mere three animals still traces back to the Father of lights. Takeaway Truths • God’s warnings are literal; His promises are just as literal. • He may strip away earthly abundance to expose hearts, yet He never abandons His covenant people. • In seasons of loss, trust the Shepherd who can make “a young cow and two sheep” more than enough. |
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