Sign

 Isaiah 7:14 ESV

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 


Apparently the Hebrew word 'virgin' is perhaps more properly translated 'young woman'. In moral Jewish culture however, young women tended to be virgins. Also, the Greek translation of the old testament is clear that this is indeed a young woman who hasn't known a man.

If Isaiah hadn't have meant a virgin, this wouldn't have been much of a sign. Also, God promised Eve that her Seed (not Adam's) would defeat the devil. That was another promise of the virgin born Son of God.

The context to this verse is interesting. Isaiah offered evil king Ahaz a sign to encourage him. Seemingly sanctimoniously, Ahaz said that he wouldn't ask God for a sign.

Isaiah gave Ahaz a sign anyway! When the virgin has a Son, he will be Immanuel: God with us. The Lord Jesus Christ, Son of Mary, is the Son of God by the Holy Spirit.

'God, we rejoice that you chose to become one of us, to reconcile us to yourself. May we praise you not just this season, but forevermore, for the honour of your name we pray, amen'.

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