Ask for a sign for yourself from the Lord your God, from the depths below, even to the heights above. (Is 7:11)
שְׁאַל־לְךָ֣ אֹ֔ות מֵעִ֖ם יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ הַעְמֵ֣ק שְׁאָ֔לָה אֹ֖ו הַגְבֵּ֥הַּ לְמָֽעְלָה׃
Pete tibi signum a Domino Deo tuo in profundum inferni, sive in excelsum supra.
Αἴτησαι σεαυτῷ σημεῖον παρὰ κυρίου θεοῦ σου εἰς βάθος ἢ εἰς ὕψος.
Ahaz’s encouragement or even urging may raise surprise. Usually, we are the ones who ask for a sign, for intervention, for a reaction, for God’s help. Maybe the king is afraid that what he wants to do will not go according to God’s wishes. On the one hand, he seeks God’s help, is bothered, and on the other hand, he does not accept the plans of God’s Providence.
Ask from Sheol itself, ask with exultation because your life is always in the hands of the good Father.
