This episode is taken from the Book of Isaiah 9th chapter verses 6 and 7. The prophet's announcement of the Child "Immanuel"!
The occasion of this prophecy, states Haley, is the invasion of Judah by the kings of Syria and Israel. They first attacked Judah separately, then together. Their object was to replace Ahaz (one of Judah's evil kings) with another. However, Ahaz appealed to the king of Assyria for help. The king of Assyria responded with an invasion of Syria and the northern part of Israel and took their populations into exile.
The virgin and her son Immanuel. The virgin is not named here, however, the reference is to something very unusual that is not further explained but that would happen in the immediate future in David's family.
Isaiah bestowed on Judah the name of the promised child, Immanuel, which means "God with Us" because it is preserved only because God was with that nation.
The LORD promised to Israel (and through Israel to us) a Redeemer. Isaiah continued the theme of light and darkness by announcing that the darkness and despair" will not be upon her who is distressed, as when at first". The Redemer will come and bring to the world the dawning of a new day.
We know that this prophecy refers to Jesus because of the way it is quoted in Matthew 4:13-15 [Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali- to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah]. "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles - the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."
A "sign" is a miracle that is performed to provide evidence for the truth. "Try the prophet by his word, should that which he speaks come to pass then you know he truly was sent."
Blessings
Elder Barbara
Haley's/Wiersbe
