Immanuel – God with us

The Christian (or Liturgical) calendar  begins with Advent and ends with Trinity. November 30^th is the first day of the Advent and it marks the beginning of a new year, a new month, a new week, and a new day.

During this Advent series, I plan to take up Bible expositions from the book of Isaiah and also explore the trajectory of messianic hopes from the Old Testament, understanding them from Genesis through historical, prophetic, and wisdom literature, so that we can prepare for Christmas.

The coming of our Lord is revealed through the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 7:14), and over the centuries, this verse has been called the miracle of Christmas – The miracle of the virgin conceiving and giving birth.

About the book of Isaiah

The name Isaiah means – Yahweh Saves! The book of Isaiah is called ‘the mini-Bible’ because it comprises 66 chapters, similar to the Bible, which has 66 books (Old Testament – 39 and New Testament – 27). The first 39 chapters are about God’s judgment, and the next 27 chapters are about God’s comfort. After Psalms, the book that is extensively quoted in the New Testament has always been Isaiah. It is also called ‘the Gospel of the Old Testament or the 5^th Gospel’ and Isaiah is called ‘an Evangelical prophet’. In this vast book, there is a section I call  – The Immanuel section, from chapters 7-12. Read on as I discuss this in the following sections.

In this book, we can read about the events unfolding in heaven before the creation of the world (Genesis 1:1), and up to the 1000-year reign of our LORD. In this broad landscape, Isaiah speaks of Jesus’ birth, ministry, suffering, death, resurrection, His second coming, and 1000-year reign.

So, during Christmas, Good Friday, the Resurrection, and the end times, many often quote the prophetical words of Isaiah mainly for the range of prophecies it comprises. Coincidentally, the times during which Isaiah lived are very close to the times we live in, and therefore, everything that the prophet spoke back then is still relevant.

In the midst of war – Assurance from heaven

(Isaiah 7:1-14): We must understand this prophecy in the context of the situations, the King, the people, and the events that occurred during that time.  After Solomon’s death, the kingdom was divided into two nations.

• The northern kingdom, Israel, allowed the corrupt practices of the land into their faith. The result was that their identity was threatened and they were eventually taken captive by the Assyrian king.
• The southern kingdom – Judah, had a few kings for whom the model and example was King David (read 1^st and 2^nd Kings to know more about the good and wicked rulers). Here, the King of Judah was Ahaz, who was the grandson of Uzziah. Ahaz was an evil king who didn’t fear God or believe in God’s promises.
• In (Isaiah 7:1), King Rezin of Aram (modern-day Syria) and King Pekah of Israel gathered the troops to attack Jerusalem. When the people in the kingdom of Judah heard that their own twin nation, Israel (here also referred to as Ephraim – Isaiah 7:2 – the dominant tribe comprising mighty warriors) had allied with Aram to conquer their land, fear had enveloped the entire nation. Like forest trees that sway under fierce winds, the people trembled, shaken to the very core with fear.
• (Isaiah 7:2) – Calling the kingdom of Judah the House of David, God is referring to the Davidic Covenant of a perpetual kingdom (2^nd Samuel 7) that David’s descendants would establish an everlasting kingdom and that His throne would be forever and forever, and this was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, Ahaz was neither a good king nor did he believe in the Davidic covenant.

In that fearful state, of being under the leadership of an evil king and surrounded by enemies, Isaiah’s prophesy stands out – Behold a virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and He will be called Immanuel (God with us) assuring that in that very moment of an impending war and in a fearful and disappointed state, God’s message through the Prophet – Fear not, God is with you offers a message of hope, courage and comfort.

The First Christmas message

These are the exact words that the angels spoke:

• To the shepherds – Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. (Luke 2:10-11)
• To Mary – Do not be afraid, Mary, you found favour…. (Luke 1: 30).
• To Joseph – Joseph, son of David – Don’t be afraid (Matthew 1:20).

God’s message for us

Perhaps the last 11 months have been intensely painful and arduous, but Advent is the new beginning that marks the season of joy, and God is eager to drive out the darkness, fear, and disappointment from our lives and fill them with perfect peace and complete joy. So, all the unfulfilled works, unaccomplished tasks, missed opportunities, unspoken fears, challenges, and uncertainties of the future are taken care of by God Himself, Jesus (our Immanuel).

Trust Him that He will bring in new opportunities, resources, strength, encouragement, guidance, purpose and His revelation. Not only does God says – Don’t be afraid, but He also says – keep calm and don’t lose heart (Isaiah 7:4).

As the righteous remnant before the birth of Christ who looked forward to the birth of the Messiah, in this Advent season, let us be the righteous remnant who look forward to the return of our King and make the most of this season to share the Gospel with the lost, and unsaved people.

May we be encouraged in our faith in the Good News that our God is with us, mindful of our situation, visiting us at the point of our need and strengthening and comforting just as He spoke to the House of Judah in Isaiah 7.

Shalom!