Milk and Honey eater? (Advent A4)

I am trying to get my head around Isaiah this week. It seems that this reading is somehow the linchpin for the rest of the week's readings.

The first thing that strikes me is the prominence of the house of David. The prophesy of Isaiah is directed to Ahaz along with the whole Davidic line he represents. By the time of the gospel the line of David is reduced to a poor, righteous, carpenter with a pregnant fiancé. Paul's Christology points to Jesus as a king in the line of David.

What did Immanuel mean to Isaiah and Ahaz? Was there an immediate meaning? If so, was it positive or negative? Syria and Israel would not be a threat by the time the boy could make a moral choice. By the time he was eating milk and honey they would have to worry about the king of Assyria. Was milk and honey a food of the prosperous Promised Land or the meager food the son of a carpenter might eat?

Does "God with us" mean punishment or salvation? I think it means both. As a fulfillment in Christ the line of David finally has it's righteous king. In him is all the nature of God, wrath and love, punishment and mercy, he holds all in his hand. The important and beautiful thing is that God is with us! That is what Ahaz missed. That is what we miss too… I will take it all! the transcendent Holy God, the intimate lover, and the fierce avenger. Be near us I pray!

The psalmist's prayer is a cry for Immanuel to be near when he seems distant.

But what does this mean to you David? How did you react to Asaph's song? How does your house long for the savior? What do you say to Isaiah's injunction that you weary men and God? I bang on your door with my forehead, for I need to understand what all this means together.