Immanuel
God with us
Two things you can tap
- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Story
What happened?
Tap a verse number, like , to read the Bible’s exact words.
The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
When two kings attacked Jerusalem, King Ahaz and his people trembled like trees in the wind. Isaiah told him, "Do not be afraid," and offered him any sign from God, but Ahaz refused to ask. So Isaiah said God would give a sign anyway: "Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel," which means God with us.
Where it is in the Bible: Isaiah 7:1-16
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Isaiah: God's prophet in Jerusalem.
- King Ahaz: The king of Judah. He is frightened.
- Shear-jashub: Isaiah's son. His name means "a remnant will return."
- The LORD: God. LORD in capital letters stands for God's personal name. Jewish readers traditionally don't say it aloud, out of respect.
Setting
- Jerusalem, at the end of the water channel that fed the city's upper pool.
When
- About 735 BC.
Before the Story
Two kings had joined forces against Judah. Rezin, king of Aram, and Pekah, king of Israel, marched on Jerusalem. They wanted to put their own king on the throne (7:1, 7:6).
Ahaz was terrified. He was thinking of asking the cruel empire of Assyria for help instead of trusting God (2 Kings 16:7).
Ahaz was out checking the water supply. A city under attack needed water to survive.
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Trembling like trees | 7:1-2 | Two kings attack, and Ahaz is afraid |
| 2. "Do not be afraid" | 7:3-9 | Isaiah tells Ahaz to trust God |
| 3. "Ask for a sign" | 7:10-13 | Ahaz refuses God's offer |
| 4. Immanuel | 7:14-16 | God gives a sign anyway |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 4Trembling Like Trees
The kings of Aram and Israel marched against Jerusalem.
When King Ahaz heard, "the hearts of Ahaz and his people trembled like trees in the forest shaken by the wind" (7:2).
Scene 2 of 4"Do Not Be Afraid"
God sent Isaiah and his son to meet Ahaz by the water channel.
Isaiah said, "Calm down and be quiet. Do not be afraid" (7:4).
Isaiah called the two enemy kings "two smoldering stubs of firewood" (7:4). Lots of smoke, but almost burnt out.
Their plan would fail. "It will not arise; it will not happen" (7:7).
Then a warning: "If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all" (7:9).
Scene 3 of 4"Ask for a Sign"
God spoke to Ahaz again. "Ask for a sign from the LORD your God, whether from the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven" (7:11).
Anything at all, from the deepest place to the highest.
But Ahaz said, "I will not ask; I will not test the LORD" (7:12).
It sounded holy. But Ahaz had already made up his mind. He would trust Assyria, not God.
Isaiah said, "Hear now, O house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God as well?" (7:13).
Scene 4 of 4Immanuel
"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel" (7:14).
Immanuel means "God with us."
Before that child was old enough to know right from wrong, the two kings Ahaz feared would be gone.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Trembled like trees in the forest" (7:2) | Ahaz and his people were terrified. |
| "Calm down and be quiet. Do not be afraid" (7:4) | God told Ahaz to trust him instead of panicking. |
| "Two smoldering stubs of firewood" (7:4) | The enemies looked scary, but they were almost burnt out. |
| "If you do not stand firm in your faith" (7:9) | Trusting God was the only safe place to stand. |
| "I will not test the LORD" (7:12) | Ahaz used holy-sounding words to refuse God. |
| "Immanuel" (7:14) | God with us. |
Back Then
The two kings were defeated. Assyria conquered Damascus and much of Israel within a few years (2 Kings 16:9).
Ahaz paid Assyria with temple treasure. He trusted Assyria instead of God, and Judah became Assyria's servant (2 Kings 16:7-8).
The Hebrew word for "virgin" can mean "young woman." The Greek translation used by the first Christians says "virgin." Matthew quotes it about Mary (Matthew 1:23).
Literal Reader Alert
Was this sign about Jesus, or about Ahaz's time? Many readers believe the sign had a meaning in Ahaz's day, with a child born then. Matthew says it was completely fulfilled in Jesus, born of the virgin Mary, truly "God with us."
Is it wrong to ask God for a sign? God offered Ahaz a sign. Ahaz refused because he didn't want to trust God. Bringing honest questions to God isn't wrong.
Why was God impatient with Ahaz? God kept offering help. Ahaz kept refusing. God still gave the sign, a promise much bigger than Ahaz could imagine.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ahaz and his people | Terrified | Two armies were coming (7:2) |
| Ahaz | Stubborn | He refused to ask God for a sign (7:12) |
| Isaiah | Frustrated | Ahaz was trying God's patience (7:13) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What do you do when you're afraid? Tap one.
Panic
Ahaz did too. God said, "Calm down. Do not be afraid."
Find my own fix
Ahaz trusted Assyria. God offers himself.
Ask God
God invited Ahaz to ask. You can ask too.
I need God with me
That's his name: Immanuel, God with us.
You Might Have Heard
"God is far away, up in heaven."
What's true: God is great, high above everything.
What the story is mainly about: God's sign was a child named Immanuel, "God with us." God doesn't stay far away. He comes close.
Where Jesus is: Matthew says Jesus is Immanuel (Matthew 1:23). And Jesus's last words in Matthew are, "I am with you always" (Matthew 28:20).
Good News
Ahaz refused God's help. God gave the sign anyway.
"Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel" (7:14).
Jesus is Immanuel. God came to be with us, as a baby, and he stays with us always.
When Ahaz was afraid and wouldn't trust God, God promised a sign: a child called Immanuel, God with us. Jesus is that child.
Big Idea
Frightened King Ahaz refused to trust God. God gave a sign anyway: a child named Immanuel, God with us.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther loved the name Immanuel. He said if God is with us, nothing can be against us, not sin, death, or the devil.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year A, it reads Isaiah 7:10-16 on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, next to the angel telling Joseph that Mary's child is Immanuel.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Fourth Sunday of Advent Year AFirst reading, Isaiah 7:10–16
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Immanuel, explained in plain words. A frightened king won't ask God for a sign. God gives one anyway. About 7 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/immanuel/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church