The Lord Himself will Give You a Sign

“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isa. 7:14)

This beloved and well-known passage brought back into our memories during the Christmas season, did not originate in the gospel accounts, but was part of a prophetic message hundreds of years earlier.  

Isaiah was sent to the troubled king of Judah, King Ahaz. He was troubled because the kings of Israel and Syria had joined together to invade Judah and destroy Jerusalem. Isaiah recorded their wicked plan. “Let us go up against Judah and terrify it, and let us conquer it for ourselves, and set up the son of Tabeel as king in the midst of it.” (Isa. 7:6) Understandable, King Ahaz was very concerned that his forces would not be able to withstand both enemy armies. God, in His graciousness to Ahaz and Judah, sent Isaiah with a message. 

God said, “It shall not stand, and it shall not come to pass.” (Isa. 7:7) He spoke again to Ahaz, knowing that he was still fearful and said, “Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” (Isa. 7:10) What was God doing? He was meeting Ahaz where he was. He understood that everything seemed hopeless and was willing to show him some physical, tangible proof that what He was promised would actually come to pass. If you were Ahaz, what would you have asked? “I want you to give me a vision of what will happen during the battle.” Or perhaps, “Miraculously provide two more armies so that we outnumber our enemies!” Let’s look at Ahaz’s genuine and proper response. “But Ahaz said, ‘I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” (Isa. 7:12)

Despite Ahaz’s fear (appropriate fear I will add), he was fully committed to believing and trusting in God’s promised protection. However, God did provide a sign. You guessed it. “Therefore, the LORD himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isa. 7:14) 

How do we know that God keeps His word? How did Ahaz know that God would deliver Him from his enemies? Because God Himself would one day truly be with His people. He would come to them and dwell among them. Everything about that promised advent (coming) would be supernatural, beginning with His very birth.  What sign would God provide? He would provide Himself. 

This Christmas season, rejoice that God kept His promise by sending the Son, God Himself, in the form of a servant, not just to walk among us, but to truly take our place and reconcile us to the Father.  Immanuel, God with us. 

What a Savior!

What a Friend!

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