Isaiah 7:15 Meaning: Butter, Honey, and Choosing Good

Isaiah 7:15

15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.

The prophecy in Isaiah 7:15 speaks of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, and offers beautiful insights into His human experience and divine purpose. It declares, "Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good." To truly understand this, we must look at it through the lens of other Scriptures.

The Significance of "Butter and Honey" 🍯

First, let's consider the phrase "butter and honey." This combination often represented a land of abundance and blessing. When God promised to lead His people out of Egypt, He spoke of bringing them "unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey" Exodus 3:8. It signifies provision and nourishment.

In the context of the Messiah, this suggests that Jesus, though divine, would partake of human sustenance. After His resurrection, to assure His disciples that He was truly risen in a physical body, Jesus asked for food. "And they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And He took it, and did eat before them" Luke 24:42-43. This shows His full humanity, that He truly had "flesh and bones."

Knowing to "Refuse the Evil, and Choose the Good" ✨

The deeper meaning of Isaiah 7:15 lies in the phrase, "that He may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good." This is not suggesting that Jesus, as God, needed to learn right from wrong in the way fallen humanity does. Rather, it points to His perfect human experience and His commitment to God's will.

Even as a child, Jesus' life was characterized by a constant choice for what is good and against what is evil. He grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man Luke 2:52. His entire life was a living example of perfect obedience, a testament to God thinking and acting in Him. As followers of Christ, we are called to a similar transformation, being renewed in our minds so we can discern and choose God's "good, and acceptable, and perfect, will" Romans 12:2. We are to bring every thought into captivity "to the obedience of Christ" 2 Corinthians 10:5.

The Scriptures repeatedly emphasize the importance of choosing God's way. Psalm 19 declares of God's judgments: "More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is your servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward" Psalm 19:10-11. It is through God's Word that we are guided to refuse evil and choose good, making us wise for salvation 2 Timothy 3:15.

Jesus as Immanuel: God With Us 🙏

It is vital to remember the broader context of Isaiah 7:14-15. Verse 14 proclaims: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." This name, "Immanuel," means "God with us" Matthew 1:23.

Jesus, as Immanuel, fully God and fully man, came to dwell among us. He took on human flesh not to be susceptible to sin, but to live a perfect life, demonstrating how humanity can choose righteousness by relying on God. His life fulfilled all prophecies concerning Him, revealing His divine nature and His mission to reconcile us to God. His birth, His life, His death, and His resurrection were all part of God's perfect plan Luke 24:27.

As we reflect on Isaiah 7:15 let us be encouraged that our Lord Jesus Christ, while fully experiencing humanity, perfectly chose good over evil. He is our strength and our redeemer Psalm 19:14, enabling us, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to also learn to refuse evil and choose the good in our daily lives. May His example inspire us to ever draw closer to Him and His perfect Word! ❤️📖