Immanuel - March 5 Readings: Isaiah 7:10-17, 9:1-7 Messiah Will Come

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory

In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world.

Today's Reading:  Isaiah 7:10-17, 9:1-7

Through the Bible Readings: Numbers 21-22, Mark 8:22–9:1, Psalm 32:1–7, Proverbs 8:3-4

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Context 

There are many prophecies of the coming of the Messiah in the Old Testament, but the two most direct are the Immanuel prophecy of Isaiah 7 and the Prince of Peace prophecy of Isaiah 9. Both are quoted extensively in the birth narratives.

It seems that the prophecy in chapter 9 is a direct messianic prophecy. The prophecy of the baby in Isaiah 7 is more complicated. It is an example of a dual fulfillment prophecy - one that has both an immediate fulfillment (Isaiah's new maiden wife would have a child name Maher-shalal-hash-baz - signaling God's coming work in Israel) and a future messianic fulfillment (referring to the virgin birth of Christ). Many OT prophecies do that, having both an immediate and ultimate fulfillment. 

So, deck your halls, jingle some bells, and meditate on these Messianic prophecies!

Devotional: Immanuel 

Spring is only a couple of weeks away and winter's terror is beginning to yield. We are preparing to celebrate Easter and looking forward to summer and sunshine and vacations. It seems an odd time to focus on texts usually associated with Christmas, but that is what we will do today. It is a shame that we sometimes put truths related to the incarnation of Christ in a box that we only take out and look at during one month of the year.

These passages reveal the dark truths of the Christmas season, the parts we sometimes ignore as we focus on the sentimental side of things. The story is rooted in the war of God against the sin and darkness of humanity and Christ's work to reconcile us to the Father. The incarnation was the opening salvo in the war of the ages.

We are all familiar with the keyword of the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 - Immanuel. "God with us."

Consider that God did not send us some laws to live by - the old covenant was passing away and it was time for a new covenant. He did not send some religious emissary to guide, inspire, and motivate us to become our best selves. God took on human form and became one of us. He did it to fight against the sin that we embraced and to defeat it.

Jesus was not just a baby in a manger, but the God of Heaven in a body, come to dwell among us, live the life we couldn't live, die for us and defeat the enemy that would destroy us. 

He was also, according to Isaiah 9;6 our Wonderful Counselor - an extraordinary companion to guide us through life. He is the mighty God, a phrase that implies a warrior doing battle against his foes and defeating them. He is our Everlasting Father - providing for our needs, protecting us, loving us. Finally, he is the Prince of peace - the source of a peace that passes understanding that comes to those who trust him and give their lives to him. 

Throughout this political season, you will hear candidates from both major parties hold themselves up as the answer to this nation's problems. They are not. They have no real solutions. But the baby born to the virgin in Bethlehem, he will solve every problem this world has ever had. One day the government will be on his shoulders and all will acknowledge him for who he really is. Jesus is the one who loves, saves, heals, restores. Immanuel. The Prince of peace. He is everything you need!

Father, remind me today that the one you promised through Isaiah, the one you sent to Bethlehem, he is the only real source of hope in this world. May my life count for him. 

Think and Pray:

Are you living for the one who is all in all or are you giving your life to things that don't matter and cannot truly bless?
Are you experiencing the peace that passes understanding that comes when the Prince of Peace rules your heart?