Through the Eyes of Isaiah-
Content Essay Assignment
William C. King
OBST520: Old Testament Orientation II
November 16, 2025
Historical Context of the Immanuel Sign
As the chapter opens up, the kingdom of Judah is in a period of extreme political turmoil.
King Ahaz is threatened by the kings of Israel and Syria. The two kings create an alliance against
Ahaz in order to overthrow the throne of Judah. In this upheaval, God sends Isaiah and his son
Shear-Jashub to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct on the road to the Launderer’s Field.
God has not only sent them but also provided a message for Isaiah to relay to Ahaz. “Be careful,
keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of
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firewood— because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. It will not
take place, it will not happen.” (Isa. 7:4-7, NIV). Isaiah tells Ahaz to ask God for a sign but Ahaz
refuses.
God provides a sign anyways. Isaiah’s prophecy to Ahaz from God became the Immanuel sign.
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isa. 7:14, NIV).
Theological Significance of the Children Mentioned
The first child mentioned was Isaiah’s son, Shear-Jashub.(Isa. 7:3). The meaning of his
name, Dr. Robert Chisholm Jr. states means: “a remnant will return.”1 This carries significant
weight in that it shows even in the struggle of war, God was still providing a promise of
restoration. This gave the hope that a remnant would survive and that God’s covenant with
Abraham and David would still happen.
The second child mentioned is Immanuel. “The birth of a son named Immanuel ("God
with us") would demonstrate God's presence with His people and His commitment to preserve
and protect the house of David.”2 Furthermore, the divine intervention would expound their
hope even in the midst of threats as well as prove that God’s presence guarantees victory over
darkness. Immanuel also highlights the relational nature of God. The phrase "God with us"
emphasizes closeness and intimacy signifying that God is not just near or present in some
abstract or distant way, but personally involved in the lives of His people. Finally, the
significance also is found in that it foreshadows the coming Messiah. As Isaiah alludes to in
chapter 9:
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his
shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The
everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace
there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and
to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever.” (Isa. 9:6-7,
KJV).
1 Robert B. Chisholm Jr., Handbook on the Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Minor
Prophets (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002), 37.
2 Ed Hindson, and Gary Yates. The Essence of the Old Testament: A Survey. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing,
2012. 306.
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The coming Messiah would fulfill this some 700 years later. However, in the present context of
Isaiah and Ahaz, this promise of deliverance and the continuation of the kingdom and lineage of
David was paramount and ultimately a sign of divine favor.
The third child mentioned is Maher-shalal-hash-baz which means “one hastens to the
plunder, one hurries to the loot.”3 Given the fact that Shear-Jashub was mentioned first, this
scripture is particularly intriguing. Isaiah’s second son is Maher-shalal-hash-baz. (Isa. 8:3). This
name further substantiates that God will fulfill His promise. The intent from this name is that
Israel and Syria would be destroyed, asserting the swift judgment of God on the alliance. It
actually reads: “the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the
king of Assyria.” (Isa. 8:4, NIV). This, along with the two previous names, show the provision, the
continuing presence, and the faithfulness of God to his people.
Theological Message of the Immanuel Sign
As mentioned in the significance section, the theological message and relevance of the
Immanuel sign are seen in the context which they are used. God’s protection, God’s
faithfulness, and Messianic hope are all evidenced in the context of the child sign from Isaiah.
But, the continuing relevance throughout ages to come even through today, are profound. Dr.
Ed Hindson states: “It speaks to his generation in their historical context. It speaks beyond his
generation to what was coming in the future a hundred years down the road and it speaks
seven hundred years down the road – to the coming of the Anointed One the Messiah Jesus
Christ and it speaks of all the way to the our generation and beyond because Isaiah’s the only
prophet who foresees the new heaven and the New Earth.”4 The application beyond Christ
extended to Jesus’ disciples in the first century and even the centuries beyond.
In the face of crisis, God’s enduring presence and protection are needed. A promise such
as Immanuel to Ahaz of the presence and protection would have given much hope. In
application through the New Testament, the ultimate fulfillment was the literal presence of God
3 Chisholm. 37.
4 Ed Hindson. Isaiah and Daniel: OBST 520: Old Testament Orientation II. 2018.
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coming to dwell among humanity in Jesus. But beyond that, it would also be further
fundamental in times of persecution. This is evidenced in the endurance of Paul in the prison in
Rome where he wrote: “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely
to his heavenly kingdom.” (2 Tim. 4:18, NIV). Richard Wurmbrand wrote a letter while
imprisoned and in it he discussed his hope. He wrote: “I am glad that the Lord gave me from the
first days of my faith the great happiness to suffer for Him.”5
Throughout the ages, God has been with His creation. His presence has been paramount
for their continued existence. Whether Old Testament or New Testament characters, God was
present in their lives and through Him they were able to find hope. Jesus was the ultimate
fulfillment of Immanuel. But, for Christians today, the reality of “God with us” is not just a
historical event but a present reality through the ongoing work of Jesus Christ in the world and
in the hearts of believers.
5 Richard Wurmbrand. Tortured for Christ. Colorado Springs, Colorado: David C. Cook, 2017. 102.
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Bibliography
Chisholm Jr., Robert B. Handbook on the Prophets. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic,
2002.
Hindson, Ed. Isaiah and Daniel: OBST 520: Old Testament Orientation II. 2018.
Hindson, Ed, and Gary Yates. The Essence of the Old Testament: A Survey. Nashville, TN: B&H
Publishing, 2012.
Wurmbrand, Richard. Tortured for Christ. Colorado Springs, Colorado: David C. Cook, 2017.
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