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Matthew 1:23
Immanuel - God With Us (Isaiah 7-9)

In Lukes gospel, we saw the willingness of Mary, to bring forth the Son - enabling Jesus to be a natural
born son of David. And here in Matthew, we see Josephs willingness to take Mary as his wife, and to
name Jesus, making Him Josephs son by adoption. This enabled Jesus to become the legal heir to Davids
throne.

Matthew then went on to show that the willingness of Mary and Joseph, and therefore the precise manner
of the birth of Jesus, were all foreknown by God. The way that Matthew showed this was through his
inspiration to see that it was a fulfillment of a prophecy that the LORD gave to the prophet Isaiah, some 740
years before Jesus was born. Lets read that again, in Matthews account, beginning in verse 22.

[Matthew 1:22-23] Certainly we can see how this prophecy is fitting, for the birth of Jesus - we have a
virgin, Mary; she was found to be with child, of the Holy Spirit; and then she bore a Son. Of course,
the name in Isaiahs prophecy is different - Immanuel, meaning God with us. But we can see how that is a
fitting name for Jesus - in fact, uniquely fitting, for Him.

But thats how we view it, as Christ Ones who already believe in Jesus. What about Matthews Jewish
audience? Well, they would be looking at it differently.

Instead of seeing that the prophecy fits Jesus, they are looking - to see if Jesus fits the prophecy. They
recognize the authority of their Scriptures - that these are the very words of God. Does Jesus fulfill what
God has said, concerning their Messiah? That is what they are looking to see - and what Matthew is
endeavoring to show them.

This one scant verse comes out of a much larger segment of the history of the nation of Israel - after the
time of David, when the kingdom became divided. And it was spoken to one of the kings of Judah - a
particularly wicked king - as a sign to the house of David.

If we consider this within the context in which it was given - context that Jewish listeners would already
know - we will come away with a much more comprehensive understanding of the magnitude of what
Matthew was bringing out, to his Jewish audience. So lets go back, beginning in Isaiah chapter 7.

First, some background. Isaiah prophesied through the reigns of four kings of Judah: Uzziah, Jotham,
Ahaz and Hezekiah. King Ahaz is described as a king who did not do what was right in the sight of the
LORD. This means that Ahaz forsook the LORD, and instead followed after other gods - in fact, Ahaz walked
in the way of the wicked kings of Israel.

Ahaz promoted Baal worship in Judah. It is written that his sacrifices to idols reached the extreme of
burning his own children in the fire (2 Chr 28:1-4).

The account in Second Chronicles indicates that for this reason, the LORD delivered Judah into the hand of
the kings of Syria and Israel - or Ephraim, as Isaiah will call the ten tribes to the north. The LORD brought
Judah low, because of Ahaz (2 Chr 28:19). Thats where our account begins, in Isaiah.

[Isaiah 7:1-17]
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v. 1-2 At this time, Assyria was in its ascendancy, and was striving to conquer new territory. Syria and
Israel (Ephraim) had formed a powerful alliance, to oppose Assyria. They were trying to force Judah into
joining their coalition. They planned to depose Ahaz and replace him with their own king. Although we
read they could not prevail against Jerusalem, Syria and Ephraim still caused great turmoil throughout the
rest of Judah.

The imagery in verse 2 shows a king and a people who are completely unsettled - theyre terrified; they
dont know which way to turn. But the LORD their God knows which way they should turn - to Him! - and
the LORD intends to show this to their king. So He sends His servant Isaiah to Ahaz.

v. 3 We find some curious items, in this verse. The LORD is sending Isaiah, but not alone; his son is to go
with him. The age of this son is not given, but his name is: Shear-Jashub. What does it mean? A Remnant
Shall Return.

Later, Isaiah will proclaim that he, and his children, are for signs and wonders in Israel from the LORD of
hosts (Isa 8:18). The children were for signs, in regard to their names; perhaps Isaiah meant that his name
was a sign, as well - for his name means Jehovah saves.

We also find a very specific location mentioned, in this verse. That it is highly significant is made clear by
the fact that the same place will be cited during the reign of Hezekiah, at a time when he had to make a
momentous decision, to trust the LORD, during his reign (2 Ki 18:17).

The location is significant, because it is laden with symbolism. This aqueduct supplied drinking water to
the city of Jerusalem. In a dry land, water is life. Isaiah and Ahaz were to meet where the water originated,
from an upper pool; this is seen as the source of the water; the source of life.

The word upper is fairly unusual, meaning most high. It signifies eminence in position. We find it in a
title for God, El Elyon, the Most High God; the Possessor of heaven and earth.

So the source of life, of living water, is the Most High God. And how to you come to Him? You have to
take the highway - the way that is high; that would be - His way - through His Christ.

And where does that high way take you? To the Fullers field. Thats your final destination.

The Fullers field was a place where the fibers used to weave into clothing were first washed, to remove all
their impurities. The idea is cleansing, which leads to the creation of a suitable covering; or taken further,
we can see the idea of sanctification, leading to glorification.

The LORD intended to encourage Ahaz - and the house of David - to trust Him in the current situation, by
which He could then set them on the high-way to the source of life; deliverance from sin and death through
the One whom God will send to save: the Coming Christ. Jehovah saves; but there must be that first step
of faith.

The LORD then instructed Isaiah in a prophecy of what would come to pass on Syria and Ephraim - for
which Ahaz and the kingdom of Judah are to trust Him.

v. 4-9 So Isaiah related the prophecy to Ahaz. He was to consider it carefully - for if he did not believe
what the LORD told him, Ahaz wouldnt be established; it would lead to his demise.
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The LORD was telling Ahaz that He was bringing judgment on Syria and Ephraim, which we will see begins
in just a few years from this time. The mention of 65 years pertains to time after the overthrow of
Ephraim, when foreign settlers were imported into its land - so that Ephraim could no longer be a people.

The LORD specifically mentioned the rulers, Rezin and the son of Remaliah, so-called, because he was a
usurper of non-royal descent. Their plotting would come to nothing. Ahaz had nothing to fear - if he would
stay his heart on the LORD.

And the LORD went even further, to encourage the fearful Ahaz.

v. 10-11 Now, a sign here speaks of something unusual that can serve as a token for faith. The idea is that
Ahaz could ask for one that was on the earth, or in the heavens. The LORD would use the sign to encourage
Ahaz to believe Him for the prophecy He gave him.

We can see the LORD is sparing no effort, to encourage the faith of Ahaz. But the response of Ahaz reveals a
stubborn, determined refusal against believing in the LORD.

v. 12 Ahaz couches his reply in false piety - asking for a sign would be testing the LORD! - but did not the
LORD tell Ahaz to ask? Its just a flimsy veneer that veils an evil heart of unbelief, which was completely
hardened, against the LORD. In fact, it appears that by this time, Ahaz had already appealed to the King of
Assyria, to come to his aid against Ephraim and Syria.

By giving Ahaz every opportunity, the LORD had now proven out the heart of Ahaz - he had categorically
refused to trust in the LORD, for deliverance - and for his own salvation. These were therefore the LORDs
final words to him, personally.

What the LORD says next through Isaiah was ultimately directed, not to Ahaz, who had refused a sign, but to
the house of David - to those who rule and represent the kingdom of Judah.

v. 13-14 the Hebrew word for weary means there is an objectionable excess of what is causing
weariness; in this context, its the unbelief of Judahs rulers; their continued unfaithfulness is moving the
LORD toward judging them - and Judah as well, for they were following their rulers into idolatry.

In verse 14, we find the verse that Matthew quoted. In the context, we see that the LORD was giving this as
a sign to the kingdom of Judah. Their king wouldnt ask for a sign - but the LORD chose to give Judah a
sign, despite that.

We know from Matthew that this prophecy was fulfilled, in the virgin birth of Jesus - a far-fulfillment of it.
Was there a near fulfillment - that is, in the time in which it was spoken?

Well, it did not pertain to Ahaz; his one son who we know lived, Hezekiah, was already alive by this time.
Isaiahs first son was standing right there with him. Another child was later born to Isaiah by his wife, but
by natural means; and it was her second son - and he was given a different name, by the LORD - not
Immanuel.

And we dont see any other evidence of its fulfillment, in the Scriptures - which undoubtedly the LORD
would have documented, had it been so. So it appears only to have been fulfilled, in Jesus.

But then, why would the LORD have given it as a sign to Judah, in the current situation? What was the
significance, of what the LORD was doing?
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First, we must understand that this sign would have meant something to Ahaz - and to all the Jewish people.
This is a sign in the heavens - its the constellation Virgo.

God created the stars with the purpose of being for signs and for seasons (Gen 1:14). Signs is the same
Hebrew word that we have in this passage, meaning unusual indicators, which serve to encourage faith; and
seasons in the Hebrew means appointed times.

Isaiah indicates elsewhere that the LORD calls the stars by name - the names that He Himself has given them;
and that they come forth in their appointed order - according to the LORDs schedule (Isa 40:26). The order
refers to the path that the constellations appear to move along, in the heavens; but it also alludes to the time
when that of which the stars speak will be fulfilled.

What do the stars speak of? The Psalmist said, the heavens declare the glory of God (Ps 19:1). And where
is the glory of God seen? In the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 4:6).

The heavens silently proclaim the story of the Coming One (Ps 19:3) - in the names which the LORD gave
the stars, before He ever created the first man. In this way, mankind had a precise and detailed witness to
the truth of God concerning His Christ, from the very beginning.

Now this revelation of God has been corrupted over time - the glory of God, as seen in Christ, has been
changed (Rm 1:23). The first evidence of this corruption can be seen as far back as the tower at Babel.

In our day, we have the practice of astrology, which is a perversion of the truth that God placed in the star
names - which He intended to be a witness to mankinds Redeemer. But we can still see some of Gods
truth shining through, despite the corruption.

The stars in the constellation Virgo are part of the witness that God provided. Many star charts represent
Virgo as a woman with an ear of wheat in one hand, and a branch in the other.

The Latin word Virgo means a virgin. The ear of wheat in Virgos left hand presents Christ in His first
coming, as the Seed of the Woman, who would crush the head of the serpent, Satan (Gen 3:15). Virgos
left hand points downward. Jesus spoke of Himself as a grain of wheat, that must fall into the ground and
die, in order to bring forth much grain (Jn 12:25). Jesus victory on the cross initiated Satans defeat (Jn
12:31-32).

A bright star marks the left hand of Virgo; in the Hebrew, its name is Tsemech, the Branch. This particular
word for branch is used exclusively in OT prophecies for the Messiah, showing forth Christ in His Second
Coming as the King.

In that this star, marking the left hand of the virgin, is shown to be the same hand containing the seed in the
star charts, we can see the Seed and the Branch as reflecting the same Person - Christ - viewed from two
different perspectives.

The raised right hand, in which the branch appears in star charts, reflects the position of power and
authority. In His first coming, Christ came as the Seed Grain, for the sons of God. In His second coming,
Christ will come as the Branch of Jehovah (Is 4:2); the King.

Jeremiah prophesied, Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, that I will raise to David a Branch of
righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In his
days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely (Jer 23:5-6) - He will deliver them.
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Clearly, we see in the seed and the branch, the Christ. But who is the woman? Well, in the story in the
stars, the woman in Virgo is not Mary, but the nation Israel. This is confirmed for us from the revelation
that was given to the apostle John, concerning the great sign of the woman, who appeared in the heaven
(Rev 12:1-6).

In OT prophecy, Israel is spoken of as a virgin, the daughter of Zion (Isa 37:22, Jer 18:13, 31:4, 21). The
idea of Israel being a virgin speaks of her purity; she only has a heart for the LORD; she has not
compromised herself, with other gods.

But is that the case, at this time - in this passage in Isaiah? No, the rulers and the people had very much
compromised themselves, had abandoned the LORD, and were following after other gods.

So what we see, in the LORD giving this sign to Judah, is a sign that cannot yet be fulfilled, for Israel -
because Israel has refused to enter into her role, as the virgin. No virgin, no Son for Israel; no Deliverer, to
save them. The name Immanuel bears this out: God with us - that shows Gods desire. But Israel would
not yet have Him.

So in context, the LORD is giving this sign to Judah because of their unbelief. What this means is that it will
act as a rebuke upon them - for not trusting Him - until such time as it can be fulfilled, for them.

Meanwhile, in the fullness of time, God brought forth His Son (Gal 4:4). As prophesied, a virgin conceived
- an individual woman, the virgin Mary - and she bore a Son - Jesus.

It was the fullness of time, for Jesus to come into the world of men; but it was still not yet time, for Israel.
He came to His own - His own nation, Israel - but did His own receive Him? No.

But to as many as did receive Him - in the world of men - to them He gave the power to become children of
God - to those who believe in His name (Jn 1:12) - Immanuel - who believe He is God, with us.

There was nothing in His birth to suggest that this was the King of kings, outwardly. His birth was lowly;
and His circumstances in life, poor. Humble circumstances can be effective - they can cause one to depend
on God, for how to live. This fulfills the next part of the prophecy, that Isaiah spoke. Ill read it with verse
14.

v. 14-15 Curds and honey represent the food of the poor, as when the land is decimated by war, and
stripped of its produce. The general aspect of poverty was fulfilled in the life circumstances of Jesus.

The next verse then plays off of this far-fulfillment of the prophecy, to return us to the present. Most
translations read the Child, but it can also be translated from the Hebrew simply as a child, just
referring to any child, in a general sense. Ill read it with that modification.

v. 16 A child begins to have discernment about good and evil from a young age, perhaps two or three years
old. Isaiah was returning to the prophecy concerning Ephraim and Syria - within two or three years, their
kings would no longer be ruling over them.

This came to pass just when the LORD said, with the first invasion of the Assyrians. They captured
Damascus, the capital of Syria, and executed their king. In Israel, two-thirds of their land was taken, and
the son of Remaliah was deposed and executed in an internal conspiracy.
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Well, that prophecy would have sounded like good news to Ahaz - even though he didnt trust the LORD.
Maybe he was even thinking that it was all due to him - after all, Ahaz was the one who had asked the king
of Assyria to come and help him out. But now Isaiah let the other sandal drop.

v. 17 The ensuing description in verses 18-25 portray armies coming both from Egypt and from Assyria,
that will lay waste to the land of Judah (v. 18-19). The people would be utterly debased (v. 20), crops and
livestock destroyed, and the land rendered desolate - it would become a wilderness (v. 21-25). And the
mention of Egypt takes the judgment even further - moving toward the time of the Babylonians, when
Judah will be taken into exile.

But in His judgment, the LORD is always merciful. He does not destroy the wicked with the righteous.
Where do we see His mercy in this judgment? In the son, that accompanied Isaiah - Shear-Jashub - a
Remnant Shall Return. Did Ahaz see it? Did he understand that the LORD would preserve those who put
their trust in Him? Ahaz wasnt looking to see; he had already made up his mind.

Some time later, the LORD expanded upon this prophecy against Syrian, Ephraim - and Judah.

[Isaiah 8:1-10]

v. 1 This large scroll is like a tablet or poster. What Isaiah writes on it means, Speed the Spoil, Hasten the
Booty. Its like an invitation to the King of Assyria to come in and take Judah for himself. Do you think
that made Isaiah popular, with the people of Judah? Hardly!

v. 2-4 So now Isaiah and his wife have a second son. His wife is called a prophetess in the sense that the
son she bore had a prophetic name. The LORD gives this son the same name as on the tablet as a
confirmation that the prophecy against Judah will come to pass.

Meanwhile, the LORD indicates a time for the complete overthrow of Syria and Ephraim - for their capital
cities will be taken. And what is that time frame? It will be when the second born son could speak his first
words - maybe a year or so from this time. This occurred with a subsequent invasion by the Assyrians.

Two fellow believers were told to record Isaiahs prophecy concerning Judah, so that when it came to pass,
it could be seen that the LORD foretold it. This begins in verse 5.

v. 5-6 People is actually in the singular; its this people, referring to Judah. The waters of Shiloah is
the water that flowed into the city of Jerusalem. Remember the aqueduct - from the upper pool - the
meeting place of Ahaz and Isaiah (7:3)? Remember it represented the water of life? Well, Judah had also
refused it, just like her king, Ahaz had.

The rejoicing in Rezin and Remaliahs son is Judah rejoicing in their demise. Isaiah was indicating that
their rejoicing would be short-lived, because now the Assyrians would turn on Judah.

v. 7-8 The River in verse 7 is the Euphrates, representing the Assyrian armies. Notice that the waters will
go throughout the land - Judah would be decimated - but how high would the water reach? Up to the neck.

This shows that the head would not be submerged - that is, the capital, Jerusalem, would not be not taken.
But the king of Assyria would fill the land - all the cities of Judah - like a bird of prey, taking the spoil. But
notice whose land it is he would be preying upon - whose? Immanuels land.
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God was still with His people - even in the midst of their judgment - which came upon Judah during the
reign of Hezekiah, Ahazs son.

Unlike his father, Hezekiah did put his trust in the LORD, when the Assyrians invaded - and the LORD came
to his rescue. The LORDs overthrow of the Assyrian armies is prophesied in the next verses.

v. 9-10 This could be said to be what Hezekiah would be declaring by faith, to those from the far
countries - to the King of Assyria. This king had vowed to take Jerusalem; but his word would not stand;
why, in verse 10? For God is with us - Immanuel. Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, and Jerusalem and
Judah were delivered.

Of course, we know that later kings after Hezekiah seal the judgment that the LORD must bring upon Judah,
for their unbelief - just as He had, upon Ephraim. And even after the return of the remnant from exile, there
has not yet been a generation of Israel that has chosen to believe into the LORD, for His Christ.

But following the fiery judgment of the Tribulation, they will - and then finally, Israel will receive the sign
that was given by the LORD, so long ago.

Turn to Isaiah chapter 9. When Jesus returns to the earth following the Great Tribulation, His people will
be willing to receive Him - and He will deliver them from their oppressors, and gather them to Himself. In
that day, this will be the virgin Israels declaration.

[Isaiah 9:6-7] Unto us a Child is born - through faith, Israel will have finally given birth to the Son, who
had been given to her already, by the LORD.

The virgin Israel has conceived Life; Jesus has been born to her, as her Messiah. Here it the Branch of
Jehovah - Gods Anointed King - the ruler of all nations. The promise to David has been fulfilled - his
throne is established, forever.

The LORD gave Isaiah four titles for Messiah as ruler. He will be the Wonderful Counselor - a ruler whose
plans, purposes, designs and decrees for His people are incredible, marvelous; Hes a real miracle-
worker.

And Hes Mighty God; this is a compound of the Hebrew words for Mighty God and Mighty Man.
Messiah is a true super-hero; the only real one there is.

And Hell be given the title, Everlasting Father (9:6) - meaning One who instructs and chastens His people
in righteousness.

And finally, He will be the Prince of Peace - because He will reign in absolute righteousness, His kingdom
will be righteous, and the result will be peace and prosperity on earth - for the first time, ever.

Lets return with these thoughts from prophecy - about the Son born to a virgin - to the gospel of Matthew
now. What Matthew wanted his Jewish audience to know was that the sign given to Judah, so long
unfulfilled, had been fulfilled in their day. The Messiah had indeed come into the world, born of a virgin;
God with us. He could be with each one of them - now. Would they choose to believe and receive Him?

Reading: Matthew 2; Luke 2:1-39; Micah 5:2-5