Hosanna Fellowship- December 11, 2011Jeff Oakes
Hosanna Fellowship
"Immanuel- The Government"
I. Immanuel- the Sign Given
A.Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)
B. This promise was given as a sign to a Judean King, Ahaz, who was self-righteous in response to the Lord’s request that Ahaz ask for a sign of God’s promised defeat of their surrounding enemies. Ahaz declared he would not ask for a sign, because he would not put the Lord to the test. Ultimately, the sign given to him was one that Ahaz would not see with his own eyes, but would come over 500 years later.
C. To understand the context of the passage it may be helpful to visualize the enemies as they existed at that time.
II. Immanuel- The Virgin Conceived
A.When we read this passage it is apparent to us this is a clear prophecy of Mary conceiving the Lord Jesus. After this word and sign is given it is as if Isaiah becomes the object lesson in that his wife conceives a son in chapter 8 and their son is to be given the name Maher-shalal-hash-baz, meaning “swift is booty, speedy is prey” for before the boy knows how to cry 'My father' or 'My mother,' the wealth of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away before the king of Assyria."
(Isaiah 8:4) This is the promise of God in dealing with the enemies of Ahaz and Judah. Which clearly took place in 2 Kings 16:9 The king of Assyria marched up against Damascus and took it, carrying its people captive to Kir, and he killed Rezin.
B.Yet Isaiah’s wife was not a virgin since Isaiah already had a son in Isaiah 7:3. So, so we see in Joseph’s dream that the angel declares the full meaning of Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew records it for his Jewish audience…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). Matthew 1:22-23.
III. Immanuel- The Government
A. For to us a child is born, to us a son isgiven; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
(Isaiah 9:6-7)
B. For the children of Judah and the House of David, to know that there was one coming that would cause an enduring Kingdom and everlasting Peace was a great and precious promise; especially in light of the empires that were coming. Also for us to know that in the midst of turmoil and political upheaval the Zeal of the Lord is at work to fulfill all of these promises should be a comfort to all His saints.
C. Jesus consistently preached “Repent! For the Kingdom of God is near!” The One on whom the government rests was declaring the government was near. And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:20-21)
D. God’s Kingdom and Government starts in the hearts of Men and Women who say “Yes!” to His Lordship. It will culminate in the visible and physical return of this Child Born and this Son Given!
E. Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)