**This is a good example of answering a question thoroughly, explaining concepts clearly, and doing so with a kind and personable tone.

Question: Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:20-23. I am confused at the answer given here, and many other places on this topic. Isaiah prophecy was to assure Ahaz that his city would still be standing regardless of the attacks (seeing he is horrible at matters of war and his deceased dad was). How would predicting the birth of a child 730+yrs LATER benefit this king? the prophecy was fulfilled, and in 14yrs his city was still there – before the child knew right from wrong. There is no connection between this birth and the one in Matthew. Thank you in advance for clearing this up.

Answered by: Eric Hoehn, who has been a volunteer with us since January, 2011.

Answer: Hello friend,

Thanks so much for your questions. The context of Matthew 1:23 is that Mary is betrothed to Joseph. Before the time of betrothal is completed, Joseph discovers Mary is pregnant. Luke tells us that Mary had been visited by the angel Gabriel and was told that she would conceive a son through the power of the Holy Spirit and not through the agency of normal sexual relations (Luke 1:26-38). Joseph opts for a quiet breaking of the betrothal rather than shaming Mary publically. He is visited by an angel in a dream and assured of the supernatural nature of the child’s conception. Upon hearing this announcement, Joseph weds Mary (Matthew 1:18-24).

In these events, Matthew sees a fulfillment of this prophecy penned by Isaiah:
Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14 HCSB

Matthew’s application of this prophecy to the birth of Jesus has been problematic for some interpreters. First, the Hebrew word Isaiah used (alma) that we translate as virgin most typically referred to a young woman of marriageable age. It could be used of a virgin, but not necessarily so.

Second, and more problematic, the prophecy given by Isaiah was spoken in the context of a specific situation in the time of King Ahaz. Ahaz feared invasion from King Rezin in Aram and King Pekah from Israel. God, through Isaiah, challenges Ahaz to ask for a sign that He would deliver Ahaz from these two kings (Isaiah 7:10-11).

In spite of Ahaz’s objections, Isaiah speaks the prophecy recorded above. As proof that God would deliver Ahaz, a son would be born. Before this son is old enough to discern right and wrong, God will have destroyed these two kings (Isaiah 7:10-11). Some interpreters ask how Matthew could see Jesus’ conception and birth as a fulfillment of a prophecy that seems to have been given as a sign for King Ahaz who lived long before Jesus’ birth.

The answer to the second concern is addressed in the concept of iterative fulfilment of prophecy. Many Old Testament prophecies had immediate fulfilment but also long-term fulfilment. In the case of the prophecy of Isaiah, the immediate fulfilment was the birth of Isaiah’s son Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz whose name meant quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil. This same son is referred to as Immanuel or God-With-Us in Isaiah 8:8. Isaiah viewed this initial fulfillment, the birth of Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, as evidence that God was with them.

Isaiah immediately moves to the distant future and the birth of a Son who would also be a sign that God is with Us, but who would also be God Himself (Isaiah 9:1-7). Just as Maher- Shalal-Hash-Baz was a sign of God’s presence, this coming son who would sit on the throne of David and be called Almighty God. He would be a sign of God’s presence as well.

We should understand Matthew to be using the Isaiah passage in this way. If Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz was a sign of God’s presence, Jesus was the fullest expression of God’s presence. If Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz was introduced through a wonderful birth, Jesus was introduced through a miraculous birth. Matthew’s use is not a stretch because Isaiah moved from the immediate fulfilment (Mahar-Shalal-Hash-Baz) to a later more wonderful fulfilment in the person of the Prince of Peace!

I hope this helps.