from Assyria, which wants to extend its empire westwards. Syria, then Ephraim, then Judah, are in its gun-sights.2 Isaiah takes with him a son named “Leftovers-will-return.” The idea of leftovers is important in Isaiah, and there are several ways in which people could understand it. Yahweh is capable of dealing with Judah’s foes in so radical a way that only leftovers will survive to go home and tell the tale; such is the promise Isaiah goes on to give Ahaz. But the account of Isaiah’s commission