Bible Study Seattle

Isaiah 7 is the famous Immanuel prophecy.  It is a favorite at Christmas time.

“Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel (which means: God with us).”  Isaiah 7:14

Although Jesus was not named Immanuel, he clearly fits the discription.  But is there another fulfillment?  Yes.  If we keep reading, we find in Isaiah 8:

“I [Isaiah] was then intimate with the prophetess [a virgin], and she conceived and gave birth to a son.  The Lord said to me, “Name him Naher-shalel-hash-baz (which means: Speeding to the Plunder, Hurrying to the Spoil), for before the boy knows how to call out father or mother, the wealth of Damascus and the spoils of Samaria will be carried off to the king of Assyria.”  The Lord spoke to me again:

Because these people [Israel] rejected the slowly flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoiced with Rezin and the son of Remaliah [Assyria], the Lord will certainly bring against them the mighty rushing waters of the Euphrates River – the king of Assyria and all his glory.  It will overflow its channels and spill over all its banks.  It will pour into Judah, flood over it, and sweep through, reaching up to the neck; and its spreading streams will fill your entire land, Immanuel!  Band together, peoples, and be broken; pay attention, all you distant lands; prepare for war, and be broken; prepare for war, and be broken.  Devise a plan; it will fail.  Make a prediction; it will not happen, for Immanuel.”  Isaiah 8:3-10