Knowing The Word in the Major Prophets: The Sign of Immanuel, Isaiah 7:14-15

Frustrated by his people’s lack of faith, God promised to give them a sign. Have you ever considered that the prophecy of the virgin birth of Jesus came out of God’s discontentment? The Hebrew word for “virgin” means “an unmarried but marriageable female.” The Hebrew name “Immanuel” is peculiar to Isaiah and is picked up by Matthew in his birth narrative. The name means “God is with us” or “God be with us.” The food Immanuel shall eat, curds and honey, is the food of the impoverished. Jesus will be born into the poverty of the people he will serve.

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. 15 He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good.

Jesus, thank you that you came to serve us in our human poverty. Thank you that you are not a God who is far off but a God who is near and who understands us.