Emmanuel Then and Now

Emmanuel Then and Now

1. Why did God’s people need Emmanuel then?

1. The people were revolting against God.

Isaiah 1:2-3 (NASB), Listen, heavens, and hear, earth; For the Lord has spoken: “Sons I have raised and brought up, But they have revolted against Me. An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master’s manger, But Israel does not know, My people do not understand.”

2. The people were not bearing spiritual fruit.

Isaiah 5:1-2 (NASB), ... My beloved had a vineyard on a fertile hill. 2 He dug it all around, cleared it of stones, And planted it with the choicest vine. And He built a tower in the middle of it, And also carved out a wine vat in it; Then He expected it to produce good grapes, But it produced only worthless ones.

3. The people rejected God’s moral absolutes.

Isaiah 5:20 (NASB), Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes And clever in their own sight!

4. Corrupt leaders were oppressing the people.

Isaiah 3:14 (NASB), The Lord enters into judgment with the elders and leaders of His people, “It is you who have devoured the vineyard; The goods stolen from the poor are in your houses.”

King Azah of Judah embodies the darkness of this time (the 8th century BC). King Ahaz does not believe “God is with him.” Instead, he turns to the Assyrian king and gods for help.

Isaiah 7:4 (NASB), 4 and say to him, ‘Take care and be calm, have no fear and do not be fainthearted because of these two stumps of smoldering logs ... 7 this is what the Lord God says: “It shall not stand nor shall it come to pass ... 14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will name Him Immanuel. 15 He will eat curds and honey at the time He knows enough to refuse evil and choose good. 16 For before the boy knows enough to refuse evil and choose good, the land whose two kings you dread will be abandoned.

2. Why do God’s people need Emmanuel now?

Isaiah 9:1 (NASB), But, there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish… 6 For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this.

Matthew quotes from Isaiah 9 in 4:16 (NASB), The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light, And those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, Upon them a Light dawned.” 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

CONCLUSION: Emmanuel Then and Now

2 Corinthians 4:6 (NASB), For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.