Isaiah 7.14, Matthew 1.22-23.
In the middle of
Matthew 1.18-19 KWL - 22 (All of this happened so it could fulfill
- God’s message to the prophet, saying,
- 23 “Look, the maiden will have a child in the womb,
- and will birth a son,
- and they will declare his name to be Immanúël,”
Is 7.14 - which is translated “God is with us.”)
So let’s jump from the first century of our era, to the eighth century
If you’re not familiar with the nation of Ephraim, that’s because
While Jerusalem was under seige, the prophets Isaiah ben Amóch and his son Sheüryahsúv had come to King Akház ben Yotám (
Isaiah 7.10-17 KWL - 10 The L
ORD ’s word to Akház, saying, - 11 “Request a sign from your L
ORD God. - Make it deep as a grave,
- or make it high as outer space.”
- 12 Akház said, “I won’t ask.
- I won’t test the L
ORD .” - 13 Isaiah said, “House of David, listen please.
- It takes little for you to tire people,
- because you also tire God.
- 14 For this, my Master himself is giving you a sign.
- ‘Look, a pregnant maiden gave birth to a son.
- She declared his name Immánuël/‘God with us.’
- 15 He’ll eat curds and honey,
- and learn to reject evil and choose good.
- 16 But before the boy learns to reject evil and choose good,
- the nations you fear are laid waste
- before the face of these two kings.’
- 17 The L
ORD is bringing upon you, your people, and your father’s house - days which haven’t been
- since the days Ephraim turned away from Judah to Assyria’s king.”
God had Akház’s back. Proof? Little Immánuël. And Matthew quotes this prophecy because Jesus is like little Immánuël.