The Virgin Will Call Him Immanuel

Dear fellow Redeemed, brothers and sisters of the baby in Bethlehem who is Immanuel:

"Hello? Yes, this is John Hoh. Nice to meet you Mr. Whittaker. Oh, OK, I'll call you Jack if you insist. How can I help you today?

"You want to help ME?

"Yes, I heard about your recent Lottery win. You want me to what? You want me to let you know what I wish and you'll grant it? No limit? Oh, no, I don't think I could impose on you like that. We're not even related and I'm sure you're busy and can't bother with what I might want. Why don't we just let it be so that I don't bother you, OK?"

Imagine if you had received such a phone call. Would you turn down such an offer out of hand? Would you at least listen? Would you call your friends to see who's pulling your leg? Or would you send a certified letter outlining your wish list of desires?

In our text today we have a king turning down such a lucrative offer. Ahaz was king of Judah during this era of Isaiah's prophecy ministry. He faced a threat; the king of Aram and the king of Israel had struck up an alliance to fight against Judah. All looked hopeless to this landlocked kingdom. Ahaz and the people were terrified. But God wanted to reassure his people that he was with them. He sent a servant-Isaiah-to tell Ahaz that the threat was minor-the term used was "two smoldering stubs of firewood." In the process God told Ahaz to ask for a sign "whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights." The sky's the limit.

But Ahaz was stubborn, proud, and vain. He responded, "I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test." How foolish and how vain! Even Solomon took God up on his offer and ask for wisdom! Gideon didn't seem worried about imposing on God when he asked the fleece to be wet one night, surrounding by dry ground, and dry another night, surrounded by wet ground.

God was not to be deterred. He would give a sign anyway-only Ahaz wouldn't see it in this lifetime. The sign given to Ahaz would be seen in the after life; two signs, actually. The virgin will give birth is the first sign. This child would grow and he would be called "Immanuel" would be the second sign. It is the second sign, "The Virgin Will Call Him Immanuel," that is our focus this evening. This God-man has the power to redeem us from sin. This God-man also has the power to keep us safe now and receive us with him for all eternity.

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