Immanuel means “God with us.” One of my favorite Advent hymns is “O Come O Come Emmanuel.” If spelled with an “I”, it’s in Hebrew, and with an “E” is the Greek translation. We recognize it as a very fitting name for Jesus. In just a few short days, we’ll be celebrating the birth of Jesus, our Immanuel. Because of Jesus, we have God with us. Do you believe that?
This prophecy from God through Isaiah may have a double fulfillment. We are most familiar with Matthew’s quoting the portion that refers to Jesus’ mother. “The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” From our perspective, Jesus fulfills this without question.
If we were studying Isaiah and his messages to the kings in more depth, we would understand the dynamics here of the fear a “bad” king of Judah (Ahaz) has because of threats made by two other kings. Was there a child born in their context as well? By the time that child can eat solid food and speak, roughly three years, counting the time in the womb, those two troublemaker kings will be dead. That’s a whole separate storyline in the history of God’s people.
It’s powerful when God uses His Word for multiple applications. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and powerful.” New messages can be revealed to us each time we read the Bible. Its beauty is indescribable. What other ways would you describe God’s Word and how it affects your life?
Certainly, having a Bible close is like having God right there beside us. I imagine God speaking directly to me each day from the pages of Scripture. When we open the Bible, we can be whisked away into all sorts of adventures along our faith journey.
I did wonder about Ahaz’s statement about not wanting to test the LORD. Certainly, we don’t want to do that either. But in this case, God had asked him to do so. Ahaz’s refusal then becomes almost a lame excuse, avoidance, or straight-up disobedience. Have you ever found yourself giving excuses to God for not spending time with him or following his leading?
One verse before our passage, God says, “If you want me to protect you, learn to believe what I say.” While those are exasperated words to the evil king, Ahaz, I think they speak volumes to us today. Can we do a better job of trusting God and believing what he has said to us in His Word? Maybe he has even given us a personal message in some other way. God wants a relationship with us, to be with us.
It’s all in His name. Immanuel. God with us. Ponder that amazing benefit we have as believers. God is with us. We are not alone. How are you nurturing your relationship with him? No excuses!
Let’s pray. Father God, strengthen my faith today. Forgive me for not always relying on you and your strength. Fill me with a new passion to seek you, learn from your truth, and be fearless to stand up for you and to promote you to the world. Speak through me so that others will hear and be moved to follow you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
