Immanuel

In Isaiah 7-12, the prophet emphasizes Judah's deliverance. Isaiah 7 describes how God safeguarded Judah from a Syria-Israel alliance. In the middle of this chapter, we find the prophecy of Jesus' virgin birth. How do the coalition against Judah and the virgin birth connect? We have some work to do. The first verses of this chapter provide a summary.

Seven hundred years before the birth of Christ, the prophet Isaiah told us that the Messiah would be born to a virgin. And his name would be called, Immanuel.

Immanuel. God with us. What a powerful name! What a comforting name! At one point in history, Immanuel walked planet Earth and lived with man. Now, for the rest of history, he reigns from heaven, and his Spirit lives in us.

The prophet Isaiah did not hold back on God’s words of judgment. However, his message included the promise of impending peace. Someone was coming who would change the course of history. Twenty-two times, Isaiah promised that a Deliverer was on the way.

Seven hundred years before Jesus came, the prophet Isaiah proclaimed the promise. A virgin would conceive. God’s Son would be born, and his name would be called “Immanuel (which means God with us)” (Matt 1:23). God would come to live among us, and he would never leave us. Immanuel is our great hope. 

God is with us. His name is and will always be Immanuel.

The Promise was called “Immanuel.” Through Jesus, God is with us…forever!

This one thing I am certain of—he is Immanuel.

The promises God makes will come to be.