“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)
Isaiah 7:14 is one of the most famous prophecies in all of Scripture, quoted directly in Matthew’s Gospel as fulfilled in the birth of Christ. But like many Old Testament prophecies, it carries both a near and a far fulfillment. To see both brings the richness of God’s Word into focus and strengthens our trust in His promises.
The Near Fulfillment: A Word for King Ahaz
In Isaiah 7, Judah’s King Ahaz faced a crisis. Two enemy kings had joined forces against Jerusalem, and Ahaz was terrified. God, through Isaiah, invited him to trust in the Lord rather than make political alliances. As a sign, God promised that a young woman (the Hebrew word can mean “young maiden”) would conceive and give birth to a son named Immanuel, meaning “God with us.” Before this child grew old enough to “know right from wrong,” the threat of those two enemy kings would disappear (Isaiah 7:16).
Most scholars see this immediate fulfillment in the birth of Isaiah’s own son, Maher-shalal-hash-baz (Isaiah 8:3–4), whose name also carried prophetic meaning: “Quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil.” His name means that the two nations (Israel and Syria) who had conspired against the king would very soon be conquered. So, every time Isaiah called his son’s name, it was like shouting a prophecy, “Judgment is coming quickly! Your enemies will be plundered soon!”
That’s his name, and that’s not just a mouthful—it’s a sermon in itself.
It was God giving a sign to his people: “Those enemies you’re so afraid of—don’t worry. They will soon be destroyed!”
This child’s birth was a living sign that God would soon bring judgment on Judah’s enemies. For Ahaz and his people, the child was a tangible reminder: God is with us in this present crisis. He keeps His word. He can be trusted.
The Far Fulfillment: A Greater Child to Come
But the prophecy doesn’t stop there. Matthew 1:22–23 makes it clear that Isaiah’s words looked forward to something greater. Centuries later, a virgin named Mary truly conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and bore a son—Jesus, the Son of God. Unlike Isaiah’s son, whose name was symbolic, Jesus is literally Immanuel: God in human flesh, dwelling among us.
In the near fulfillment, the sign was temporary deliverance from two kings. In the far fulfillment, the sign is eternal deliverance from sin and death. Isaiah’s son reassured Judah in one political crisis. God’s Son reassures the world in our greatest spiritual crisis.
God’s Faithfulness Across Time
What does this mean for us? First, it reminds us that God’s promises can be trusted both in the immediate and in the ultimate. Ahaz’s unbelief led him to make worldly alliances, but God still kept His word. We, too, often look for quick fixes when we’re afraid, but God invites us to trust Him for both short-term help and eternal salvation.
Second, it shows us the heart of the gospel: God with us. The promise of Isaiah 7:14 was never just about escaping two kings; it was about God’s presence with His people. In Christ, God has drawn near to us—taking on flesh, walking among us, and offering salvation through the cross.
Reflection
Where do you feel the pressure to take matters into your own hands, like Ahaz did? Can you trust that God is with you in both the small crises of life and in the great need of your soul? Take courage today: the God who kept His promise through Isaiah and fulfilled it in Christ will keep His promises to you.
Prayer
Lord, thank You that You are Immanuel, God with us. Help me to trust You in my daily struggles, and to rejoice that You have given me eternal life through Jesus Christ. Strengthen my faith to rest in Your promises, near and far. Amen.
4-Day Reading Plan: (Isaiah 7-8)
- Day 1: Isaiah 7:1-13
- Day 2: 2 Kings 16:5-16
- Day 3: Isaiah 7:14-25
- Day 4: Isaiah 8
For more Recommended Resources on the book of Isaiah, click here.
