The Promise of the Savior – Born of a Virgin (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:22-23)

God’s plan for salvation was foretold in the most miraculous way: a virgin birth.

Have you ever made a plan that seemed perfect, only to watch it unravel? I once had a detailed road map for my life—a career, a home, a family. But when I look back, I see how God redirected my path, guiding me in ways I never expected. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 16:9, “A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

I. God’s plan was set in motion centuries before Christ’s birth.

Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

A. Isaiah describes God’s future plans for the Davidic dynasty.

This involves a sign of a child. The name of the promised new son is Immanuel (ʿimmānû ʾēl) “God is with us.” The name of this son suggests a general hope for an heir who will be a godly Davidic ruler to replace Ahaz at some point in the future.

The identity of the woman having the child is unknown All they knew was that she was young, will become pregnant, and will name her child Immanuel, “God is with us.” In light of these facts it appears that his name is the significant part of this sign, not the unknown young woman becoming pregnant. Isaiah does not say what this child will do or why his mother will call him Immanuel.

B. This son would be a king in the line of David.

Ahaz refused to trust God, Assyria would invade Judah and cause great damage. The name “Immanuel” was a rebuke to Ahaz because if God was indeed with them, why should they have feared the Assyrians? God had a plan, but Ahaz wanted to go his own way.

The dynastic line of David would mean that this son would be a king in the line of David. If so, this will be a godly king who will bring God’s blessing on the nation, so he is primarily a sign of hope to the godly people in Judah. Indirectly, this new king is also a threat to replace the wicked and unbelieving Davidic administration of Ahaz because Ahaz refused to act in faith.

II. Divine purposes

Matthew 1:22-23: “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us).”

A. Matthew provided the first of many direct quotes from the Old Testament.

These Old Testament quotes and prophecies show, in part, the linkage and unity between the Old and New Testaments, helping us understand how God was preparing the way for the Christ from centuries past. They also validate the identity of Jesus as the promised Messiah, strengthening our faith in him. And their perfect fulfillment in Jesus gives us confidence that God is faithful and mighty to keep his word to us today.

Matthew is quick to support the doctrine of the virgin birth, and his quote in 1:23 is from Isaiah 7:14, originally written by the prophet Isaiah over seven hundred years before Jesus’ birth. This verse in its original Old Testament context seems to be referring to a child who was to be born in that setting of Isaiah’s day, rather than centuries later. However, Matthew’s inspired revelation fills the original statement out to its full intention.

B. The miraculous conception is itself not the primary focus.

Now the virgin birth is a miraculous sign of God’s direct intervention in history, but Jesus (Immanuel) is our primary focus! Matthew pointed out that Joseph did not “beget” Jesus Christ. Rather, Joseph was the “husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.” Jesus was born of an earthly mother without the need of an earthly father.

Every child born into the world is a totally new creature. But Jesus Christ, being eternal God existed before Mary and Joseph or any of His earthly ancestors. If Jesus Christ were conceived and born just as any other baby, then He could not be God. It was necessary for Him to enter this world through an earthly mother, but not to be begotten by an earthly father. By a miracle of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was conceived in the womb of Mary, a virgin.

C. The Old Testament prophecies.

Both Mary and Joseph belonged to the house of David. The Old Testament prophecies indicated that the Messiah would be born of a woman of the seed of Abraham, through the tribe of Judah, and of the family of David.

God is never so clearly present with his people as he is through his virgin-born Son, the Messiah of Israel. Jesus is Immanuel! The name Immanuel makes it clear that Isaiah’s original prophecy could refer in its fullest sense only to the promised Messiah. Jesus as “Immanuel” (God with us) is a fulfillment of God’s promise to be near to His people, offering salvation in the most unexpected way.

Conclusion:

Trust in God’s timing and His perfect fulfillment of promises.Reflect on the humility and wonder of God choosing to be with us in such a personal and intimate way.