36 | To the Jew First
of a virgin, through the work of the Holy Spirit, before Mary
and Joseph “came together” (Matthew 1:18-25). Whatever the
meaning to Ahaz, which is obscure at best, the meaning to all
believers around the world is that the baby who was named
Immanuel was supernaturally conceived.
We have been given a sign. We have been given a Son. We know
Him as Immanuel. God is always with us in the Messiah Yeshua
who indwells every believer and who said “…And lo, I am with
you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
Written by Dr. Gregory Hagg. Originally published in the December 2017
issue of The Chosen People magazine.
ISAIAH 9:6-7
“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And
the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be
called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince
of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government
or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to
establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from
then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will
accomplish this.”
In this passage, the prophet Isaiah uses four different names for
the coming Messiah, two of which indicate that this future son
of David would be God in the flesh. Names in the Hebrew Bible
often indicate character and these names (especially when the
two verses are taken as one unit) speak to the very nature of the
Davidic king.
What child in that time could live up to the name “eternal
Father,” avi-ad, not to mention “Mighty God,” El-Gibbor? How
could an earthly King be “Mighty God”? Literal readings of the
3C6h o |s eCnh Priestomplaes MTihnriosturgiehs J. ecwhoisshe nEpyesople.com