An Unwanted Gift Isa. 7:14
INTRO.: Story of “The Virgin Edna.”
Background of text: Isa 7:1-14. Ahaz, a singularly wicked king, did not want to see a sign from God. But, God would give a sign and would bring grave trouble in the form of the Assyrians. God will deliver from the present danger, but, because of Judah’s sin, will bring judgement nonetheless.
I. Here is a lesson on prophecy: it can have a double fulfillment.
A. This is a sign to King Ahaz which found Immediate fulfillment in the day of Isaiah:
1. Jerusalem, Ahaz’ capital, was under siege by the neighboring armies of Damascus under Rezin and Samaria, led by Pekah
2. The capture and destruction of the city seem imminent.
3. The Lord says, “It will not happen.”
4. God gives the unwanted sign. If a woman bears a child, she can call it “Immanuel,” because God is with His people. By the time the child is at the age of accountability, both Syria and Samaria will fall.
5. Isaiah uses a word that can be translated either “virgin” or “maiden.”
B. Distant fulfillment in the days of Caesar Augustus, 735 years after Isaiah. Matt. 1:18-23
1. Matthew uses a word that can only be translated “virgin,” thus interpreting Isaiah’s prophecy as referring to Christ Jesus.
2. Jesus is now to be “Immanuel.”
3. This is a far greater fulfillment than even Isaiah could have envisioned. It will affect the entire course of world history.
C. It is God Himself Who will give both signs:
1. It matters not that Ahaz would rather not hear from God. God is sovereign.
2. It matters not that we never asked for such a gift as Jesus or saw Him. God responded to our need in His grace.
3. Just as God saved the wicked Ahaz, Christ also died for us while we were sinners.
4. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom 5:8
II. If we look at the prophecy as pointing to Jesus, as it does, we must note four impossibilities:
A. A virgin will be found with child:
1. Even a rudimentary knowledge of biology tells us this is impossible. Everyone knows it who is old enough to know anything about life.
2. Mary, His mother, didn’t believe at first. Luke 1:31-34. Her virginity stood in the way of all these wonderful promises.
3. Gabriel explained it all in Luke 1:37.
B. A virgin will bear a son.
1. Even if a virgin should conceive, having a son would be impossible without a male contribution.
2. Mary didn’t know this, but there must be a “Y” chromosome supplied only by a male.
3. Again, I refer you to Luke 1:37.
C. God will be with us
1. How is it possible for the Almighty to become a little babe?
2. ILLUS.: I knew a man who created the most amazing Christmas village in his living room with model trains, houses, and little figures. But, he could never become part of his creation. He was the creator.
3. Again, I refer you to Luke 1:37, not to bore you, but to impress this truth upon your heart.
D. He will reject the wrong and choose the right:
1. Perhaps humanly possible, but it has never been done perfectly until or since Jesus
2. Yet, Jesus lived a perfectly righteous life. Heb. 4:15. He fulfilled the prophecy.
III. Some truths we need to learn:
A. Jesus is divine, the son of the living God.
1. The word of God to Mary: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35
2. Isaiah tells us no man was His father.
3. Any mother knows if Mary knew differently, she would have shouted a confession during His trials and crucifixion to save His life.
B. Yet, He is human, the son of man:
1. When people saw Him, they asked, “Is this not the carpenter’s son? Are not His brothers and sisters among us?”
2. “we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”. Heb 10:10
3. It was a human body that died on the cross and was raised from the dead.
4. Phil. 2:6-9 emphasizes the extent of His sacrifice and the glory of His reward.
CONC. God is not like Santa. Every child’s letter to Santa begins with something like, “I have been a good boy (or girl.)” because everyone knows Santa will only bring “a bucket of coal” to bad little kids.
God sent His son, an unsolicited gift, to all who will accept Him as Lord and Savior. God did send His Son born of a virgin. He is God among us. He did live a perfect life and make the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
