Isaiah's Audacious Hope Series

• The Son would be God incarnate. The name Immanuel means, “The strong God with us.” While this was not Jesus’ proper name, it was a name that belonged to Him as an attribute. This is who He is. From the point of this miraculous birth on, God would Himself be present among His people. This verse is quoted in Matthew 1:22-23: “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ – which means, ‘God with us.’”

Did Ahaz understand all this? No. Was it fulfilled during his lifetime? No. It was a prophecy, focusing on the future, given to all people so that God could be with all people for all time to be a sure sign.

2. A Sent Son (Isaiah 9). Let’s quickly set this text in context. This original birth announcement was made in the midst of grief and gloom. Look at verse 1: “Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan.” Zebulun and Naphtali are tribes from the north of Israel, making up the land of Galilee. For many years the people in this region knew only grief because of the onslaught of enemies unleashed by the Almighty as a result of their sins. Because they lived closest to the bad guys they were the first ones attacked. Isaiah tells of a time in the future where gloom will be replaced with gladness in Galilee. Don’t miss the fact that the ministry of Jesus was grounded in Galilee.

Loved ones, Christmas was, and is, birthed in the midst of great grief. While the angels were proclaiming “peace on earth,” Herod was preparing to annihilate infants; while Mary was worshipping, other mothers were weeping for their children (see Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:18). Christmas joy is best understood with the junk of life all around us because gladness comes when we’re grieving. Is that where you’re at today? That’s OK if you are because that’s exactly where Immanuel will meet you.

Verse 2 describes how the birth of Christ will bring brightness to a dark world: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” I’m looking forward to our Christmas Eve service again this year as we light candles to show the impact that Christ has made on a dark world. In referring to Himself in John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” In Isaiah 9:4, we read that the enemies of Israel had burdened the people with “bars across their shoulders.” When the light of life comes, the heavy yoke will be shattered. Instead of wiping us out, Jesus says, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” In the place of burdens, God wants to give us blessings.

Look at Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Our family was up at Moody Bible Institute’s Candlelight Carols Friday night and heard the choirs sing these words as part of the Messiah. Some of our own people will be singing parts of this in the weeks to come before Christmas. The phrase “to us” means “for us, for our benefit” and the emphasis is on the child. The baby was given for our benefit. This verse sets forth the indescribable uniqueness of Jesus. Notice that both His humanity and deity is described. We see attributes of God and characteristics of man.