December 22, Rev. Roger A. Peters

Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz: “Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.” And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted.

Isaiah had just been sent by the Lord to King Ahaz of Jerusalem. Ahaz and his people had been shaken up by two opposing kings who had designs to conquer Jerusalem for themselves. God’s message to Ahaz was that this would not come to pass and that Ahaz should stand firm in the faith. The Lord offers Ahaz any sign he wants to confirm the prophecy and bring Ahaz to faith. But Ahaz responded with a statement of false piety because he had no faith.

Despite Ahaz’s lack of faith, God is still God. Thus he gives his own sign: the sign of Immanuel. Immanuel means “God with us,” and this is the one who will come, born of a virgin. Long before the child matures, the two kingdoms Ahaz is so worried about will be destroyed. This, of course, is a prophecy pointing forward to Jesus. It is a prophecy of the Lord’s faithfulness and salvation. This is a comfort to us, because even when men are unfaithful, God remains faithful. And the sign that he gives to show his faithfulness is his Son, Jesus Christ. He truly is “God with us,” who has become incarnate to save us through his own death. The sign of Immanuel, therefore, is a call to remain faithful, to put your trust in the Lord, and to look to Him for your salvation. Look to Immanuel, God with us, and you will be saved.

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne Christ Academy Student, 2004, 2005 Christ Academy College Student, 2006 Christ Academy IDs, 2014 to present