Reading
SAA Notes
The sign of Immanuel is truly wonderful. Judah was delivered within the period a child grew from birth to an age of understanding right from wrong from her enemies. This fulfilment of the prophecy was the shadow of the greater deliverance that arrived with the birth of Jesus – our Immanuel (means: God with us) in a very unique way.
SJA Notes
* God who is with us, please show us Your word today.
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Immanuel – GOD WITH US!
It is interesting that this statement from God comes directly after the weakness and faith-less-ness of Ahaz.
God tells Ahaz to ask for a sign of the coming salvation and Ahaz says he would not want to put the Lord to the test.
This seems like an okay response, right? God’s word is clear (Matthew 12, Deuteronomy 6, Matthew 4) that signs and putting God to the test are things God’s people should not seek after or do.
How do we know this is a faith-less response from Ahaz? How do we know that he is like something quoting scripture for their own selfish ends?
God’s words that come immediately after show us,
“Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also?”
God has clearly given us, pointed to from Genesis through to Revelation, the most important sign (that of Jonah as Jesus tells us) – Jesus on the cross, dead in the grace, and then on the third day risen!
Death conquered, the grave defeated!
We need no other signs, no other works.
* Dear God,
Thank You for Jesus, You in the Person of the Son – His birth heralded here in Isaiah.
Thank You that You are with us, Immanuel.
Thank You for the most important sign, Your grace and mercy, Your love for us – That at the cross Jesus bore our shame, the curse of our sin, so that we could be free.
Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
Amen.