Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. – Isaiah 7:14
What were you doing at age 20? A young 20-year-old man named Ahaz in 735 BC was ascending the throne to reign as king in the ancient land of Judah. While his father had been a man of faith, Ahaz was not. His unwise leadership brought spiritual and physical destruction upon the people and their nation. He was facing defeat and likely death, when God’s prophet, Isaiah, brought him a beautiful message of God’s mercy, wrapped up in a promise that God Himself would be the nation’s rescue, and a child would be the sign of it.
Isaiah’s words to Ahaz were fulfilled in 731 BC. The gospel writer Matthew, inspired by the Spirit of God, picks up Isaiah’s words, illuminating the minds of his readers to God’s grand plan. That plan was not only for the deliverance of the house of David during Ahaz’s reign but also for rescuing the entire world. Both would be signaled by the birth of a son.
Immanuel means “God with us” and, through Isaiah, God tells people across all ages, caught in every form of evil and bound by earthly powers, to hang on. He will Himself be a sure rescuer. As King Ahaz saw his promised deliverance come to pass, God’s people will see their redemption through Jesus Christ fulfilled either in death or in His glorious return. Pray that those leading America would learn to seek the Lord and accept His ways. Ask that many will see the signs of God’s promise and find faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Today’s Verse: Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Luke 2:10-14
10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
