Isaiah’s Prophecy

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel” — which means, “God with us.” — Matthew 1:22–23

Have you ever stopped for just a moment to ponder the majesty of the word Immanuel? It is incredible to consider that when Isaiah, the holiest man in Israel, prophesied, “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel,” he was literally predicting that in the future the One who spoke the limitless galaxies into existence would tabernacle in flesh among men. Indeed, that is precisely what the word Immanuel means — “God with us.”

As we continue our journey toward Christmas Day, let’s take just a moment to consider the context of perhaps the best-known of all Old Testament prophecies. In context, Isaiah foresees impending doom looming on the horizon. But he also foresees a coming Messiah who would ultimately deliver God’s people from their sins.

The near-future fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 8) confirmed to his contemporaries that he was indeed a true prophet of God. While the Holy Spirit may have revealed another layer of meaning as a far-future messianic prophecy, the foremost concern of Isaiah and his contemporaries was the protection of Judah against her enemies. Indeed, Judah was “shaken” as two powerful kingdoms sought her demise (see Isaiah 7:1–2). God, however, promised King Ahaz that the birth of Isaiah’s son Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz would be a sign that Judah would be spared. In the words of Isaiah, “Before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste” (Isaiah 7:16; cf. Isaiah 8:4). It should be noted that while Isaiah’s wife (unlike Mary) was not a virgin when she gave birth to Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, she was nonetheless the fore-future fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Virgin (almah) was simply a term used to refer to the prophetess prior to her union with Isaiah — not that she would give birth to a child as a virgin.

It was not until after the birth of Jesus seven hundred years later that it became entirely clear that the near-future fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in the birth of his son Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz was a type, the antitype of which was Jesus the Messiah (Matthew 1:22–23). While Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz was a sign guaranteeing God’s temporal salvation of Judah, Jesus Christ — the true Immanuel — not only signified but embodied the ultimate and eternal salvation of God’s chosen ones from sin and death.

Reading

The Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a Son, and will call Him Immanuel. — Isaiah 7:14

Questions

What are similarities and differences between the births of Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz and Jesus Christ?

Some say that Matthew misunderstood Isaiah’s Immanuel prophecy, because the prediction in chapter 7 of Isaiah is fulfilled in chapter 8. How does Matthew’s understanding of typology solve the problem?

Carol

O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL

Traditional Carol

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem. Come and behold Him, born the King of angels; O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

God of God, Light of Light,
Lo, He abhors not the Virgin’s womb, Very God, begotten, not created; O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation; Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, in the highest;
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to Thee be glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Excerpted with permission from The Heart of Christmas by Hank Hanegraaff, copyright Thomas Nelson.

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Your Turn

How amazing it is that God so loved us that He put Himself in human flesh to be with us — Immanuel! Today, let’s be reminded that the Messiah came not only to rescue and redeem, but to be with us because we are that dearly loved. Come share your thoughts on our blog! We want to hear from you about God Incarnate! ~ Devotionals Daily