December 24, 2025 - Isaiah 7

One might think, in considering the Messianic texts of Isaiah, that such a consideration would begin here with chapter 7, which is such a clear statement of Messiah (Matthew quotes it).  As we have seen from chapters 2 and 4, however, the prophet is gripped by this theme; after all, Messiah is the central theme of the Bible!  We should not be surprised that Isaiah cannot stay away.  Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel were threatening Ahaz and the southern kingdom of Judah.  Life is full of challenges and dangers, and Ahaz was faced with possible annihilation at the hands of his enemies.   The Lord, though, gave Ahaz a sign that God would deliver his people from their enemies:  “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (7:14).  And before the boy was very old at all (even before he eats grownup food and is able to understand and discern good and evil), the attacking kings will be gone.  Though very real and a direct response to Ahaz’s predicament, Matthew understood the ultimate meaning of these verses.  Mary would have a son who would save his people from their enemy, their sins (Matthew 1:21), an event ultimately prophesied by Isaiah:  “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:  “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (Matthew 1:22-23).  Messiah – promised, prophesied, hoped for, waited for, and longed for throughout all the long years of the Old Testament – now come!

O come, O come, Immanuel,

and ransom captive Israel

that mourns in lonely exile here

until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

shall come to you, O Israel.   --J. M. Neale (1851)