Bible Commentary

Isaiah 7:11

The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 7:11

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Ask thee a sign. Asking for a sign is right or wrong, praiseworthy or blamable, according to the spirit in which the request is made. The Pharisees in our Lord's time "asked for a sign," but would not have believed any the more had they received the sign for which they asked.

Gideon asked for a sign to strengthen his faith ( 6:37, 6:39), and received it, and in the strength of it went forth boldly against the Midianites. When God himself proposed to give a sign, and allowed his creature to choose what the sign should be, there could be no possible wrong-doing in a ready acceptance of the offer, which should have called forth gratitude and thanks.

Ask it either in the depth, or in the height above; i.e. "Ask any sign thou wilt, either in hell or in heaven"—nothing shall be refused thee.

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