Morning Cup of J(esus)! Feuling the Day!
You Shall Call His Name Immanuel
“And He shall be called Immanuel.” This week we will look at the prophecies in the Old Testament about the coming Messiah. Today, we will look specifically at the birth of Christ. The Old Testament has many verses that foretell a coming Messiah that would be born of a virgin, born in Bethlehem, and would be called the Prince of Peace.
Like the Christophanies of last week, these are recorded in the Old Testament and were well-known to the Jews. They understood that these verses spoke of the coming Messiah.
I have included the verses in the New Testament where these prophecies are fulfilled.
Prophecies concerning the birth of Christ
Jesus would be born of a virgin. His name would be called Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Jesus would be born in Bethlehem.
Micah 5:2
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
His name will be Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Fulfillment of these Prophecies
Jesus born of a virgin.
Jesus called Immanuel.
Matthew 1:20-25
But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Luke 2:4-6
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
Jesus born of a virgin.
Luke 1:26-35
Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom, there will be no end.”
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be since I do not know a man?”
And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
Picture artist: Harry Anderson