The Immanuel Prophecy: A Sign of Hope for the Nations

Priceless.  

  

Unto us a child is born, to us a son is given...

Love the baby’s head poking out of the bundle

And the government will be upon his shoulders...

Love the jerry-curled dude with the broad shoulders 

And his name shall be called...

Love the IPhones

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace...

Love the Everlasting Gobstopper at the bottom

Even if Isaiah's original manuscripts were somehow located, 

my son's rendition will always be way more valuable!

Hope for the Nations.

If you were to illustrate Isaiah 9, what would you come up with?  

For me, the only thing my son lacks is a globe.    

Isaiah’s clear.  The birth of Immanuel is for all nations.

Read 9:3-7

"You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil"  (9:3)

To which nation is Isaiah referring?  While other word choices were available, words that would convey a strict ethnic definition, the prophet was purposeful in his selection.  He chose a word for 'nation' that carried a broad bandwidth, one that would clearly reach beyond ethnic boarders and open a path for all people.1 

Isaiah's point is clear.

Immanuel would be the revelatory light bursting into darkness.
His person and message would carry the definitive word of hope.
He alone would be the impetus for God's new nation,
a people not defined by ethnicity but united in faith and joy.

Isaiah 9 lists three reasons for this new nation to rejoice:

• Joy to the nation: Immanuel will cause oppression to cease (4)
• Joy to the nation: Immanuel will cause all fighting to cease (5)
• Joy to the nation: Immanuel will be the Great King (6-7)

Note four brief observations in 9:6-7.

The child’s birth is announced.  For to us a child is born and a son is given – who is included in the us? In keeping with Isaiah’s international focus, I’d suggest that this royal birth announcement is for all peoples.   

Recall Jesus’ birth narrative. 

Two very distinct people groups were supernaturally brought to Bethlehem: the Jewish shepherds and the Eastern magi.  Jew and Gentile.  Through angelic chorus and shining star the Father brought representatives of these two separate nations to the manger.  In Jesus' story, all nations paid homage.   

Immanuel was sent to you, He was sent to me.  

Unto us, people of every tribe and tongue, a child is born.

The child’s nature is addressed.  Read the names.  Wonderful Counselor.  Mighty God.  Everlasting Father.  Prince of Peace.  The names themselves point to the divine essence and function of Immanuel but I invite you to consider something even more fundamentally unique. 

Jewish kings never got cool nicknames.  While surrounding pagan kings regularly assumed divine monikers this never happened in Israel.  Jewish kings were not allowed to take upon themselves divine status – they knew better. 

With this in mind, Isaiah’s naming of the child leaps off the page.  The prophet intentionally attributed divinity to this coming infant.  And while the pagan kings may boast of god like status, this Immanuel child would stand-alone. 

Unequivocally, He is the god-man.

The child’s heritage is affirmed.  By referencing David’s throne, Isaiah points directly to the central fulfillment of redemptive history.  Isaiah affirms that David’s heir would rule for eternity, the covenants made with the forefathers would prevail (2 Samuel 7; Isaiah 6:13; 11:1-9, 10-16). 

God is a promise keeper.

The child’s future is assured.  If given a chance to peek into the manger, what might we have seen? 

A baby fast asleep. 

Possibly a tiny head bobbing awkwardly, rooting for sustenance. 

Maybe a reddish face, concocting a pasty-yellow disaster. 

Whatever the case, be assured, this child would not fail. 

I love the end of verse 7.  
“The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” 

Zeal.  The word even sounds aggressive. 

From of the depths of divine passion, the infant would succeed.  

The mission would be fulfilled, the zeal of the Most High would see to it.  
_________

This Christmas, take time to read Isaiah 7:1-9:7.
Take time to sit with the sign. 
And may our faith be filled with Immanuel's might.

For He alone has the power to save. Through the faithful obedience of Immanuel, Israel fulfilled her mission to mediate truth and salvation to the nations. Jesus became the faithful high priest, ministering to the nations.

For He alone has the power to unite. As Immanuel embodied and taught reconciliation, let us be leading to address the interpersonal fragmentation of our society. Rather than passively adhere to cultural norms, the church has the power to speak toward all manner of racial, gender, economic, and generational tensions.

For He alone has the power to comfort. Jesus battled temptation, suffered loss, wrestled with His circumstances, and questioned the Father - He understands. Our Faithful High Priest assumed flesh and is willing to come alongside and offer perspective, energy, and grace.

Blessings!  

1.  For those lexicon types...the term Isaiah used for 'nation' in 9:3 is ‘goy’ a generic term as opposed to ‘yam’ a term emphasizing an ethnically defined border; also note plural of they - 2x