I. Immanuel- “God is with us”

A. One Reaction

1. It can bring up such wonderful feelings and thoughts.
2. I.E.- “Everything is going to be O.K., because God is with us”

B. A Textual Consideration

1. V. 21 Jesus shall save His people from their sins. That is what His name means. “Jehovah is salvation”. Jesus came to save people from the penalty and domination of their sins. NOTE It doesn’t say that He will save all people from their sins, only His people.
2. V. 21– His name, His people- literally-himself, herself, itself, he, she, it, the same His name- the name belonging to Jesus

a. His people– the people belonging to Jesus
b. This speaks in a general sense, firstly, of the Jewish nation. Jesus came first to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel”. In a broader sense, it speaks of the church that would consist of Jews and Gentiles.

3. Jesus didn’t just assume that all people were “His” people. Jesus spoke to some of the Jewish religious leaders.

a. John 5:39, 40 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.
b. John 5:11, 12 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life

II. Two Responses To “Immanuel”

A. Comfort To Some

1. Psalm 46:1-3 1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.
2. Psalm 145:18-20 18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. 19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. 20 The Lord preserves all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy.
3. To those who call upon the Lord in truth, God is their refuge and strength.

a. A very present help.
b. He makes us to not fear.
c. He fulfills our desires.
d. He hears our cries and saves us.
e. He preserves those who call upon Him in truth.

B. Dread To Others

1. God is also Immanuel to those who are not His people.

a. He is present among those who will not come to Him.
b. There is no place where we can successfully hide from God.
c.  Read Psalm 139:1-13

2. The judgment of Immanuel

a. Read Isaiah 7:1-17
Syria & the Northern Kingdom of Israel were planning to attack the Southern Kingdom, Judah.
Judah, the Southern Kingdom, had fallen into idolatry.
God was ready to judge them.
Judah’s king, Ahaz, made an alliance with Assyria so that they would help him fight Israel and Syria.
God sends Isaiah to tell him that these kingdoms will not succeed.
The time frame of the fulfillment of this prophecy is found in vs. 13-16.
God would protect them within this time frame, for He was with them.
That protection would be followed by judgment, for He was with them.
b. Read Isaiah 8:1-10
Prophecy of the upcoming judgment against Judah by the Assyria.
Instead of trusting God, they had trusted in Assyria.
Now God would use Assyria to judge them.
Notice the usage of “Immanuel”, “God is with us”.

3. In both these cases, “Immanuel” wasn’t good news.

a. The people had turned away from God
b. God reminded them that He was there, watching their wickedness
c. God reminded them that He was there, and that He was going to judge them for their sins.

III. Two Choices Regarding Immanuel Isaiah 8:11-22

A. Reject Immanuel

1. Stumble and be offended b/c of Him V.14b
2. Fall, be broken, be snared, be taken captive V.15
3. Things get worse and worse V. 21, 22

B. Choose Immanuel

1. Reject popular opinion V. 12
2. Hallow, worship the LORD V. 13
3. He will be a sanctuary for you V. 14a
4. Hide the word in your heart, wait on God, hope in Him V. 16, 17
5. Seek God’s advice V. 19, 20
6. Choose to follow Jesus. That is the best kind of “God with us”.
Matthew 1:21-23 21And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”