The Road To Bethlehem: God With us

Today we continue on the Road to Bethlehem and we continue in Isaiah 7:14.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14

• God with us... Why is it that the Messiah would be God With Us?
• Sin Romans 3:23 tells us that "...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." In other words, our sin separates us from God.
• Remember yesterday how we talked about how Jesus had to be born of a virgin so that He would not inherit sin? Our sin is still the central issue why the Messiah is coming to be God With Us.
• Who walked and talked with God in the Garden of Eden? Adam and Eve
• What happened when they sinned? They got thrown out of the garden. Their sin separated them from God physically and spiritually.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

• This passage in Ephesians reminds us that our salvation is only by grace and not by works
• In other words, our works - no matter how good they may be - cannot save us.
• If we can do nothing to save ourselves, then we can do nothing on our own to bring ourselves back to God.
• We can read (like in Romans 3:11) that nobody seeks God.
• So, if God wanted to have a relationship with us, He would have to come to us.
• So, if God was sending a Messiah who would be called "God With Us" do you think He wants a relationship with us?

The Road To Bethlehem: A Virgin Shall Be With Child

Today we continue on the Road to Bethlehem and we come back to Isaiah. This time we come to chapter 7.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14

• A few weeks back, we looked at Genesis 3:15 and saw (among other things) that the Messiah was to be born to a virgin. In other words, He was going to have an earthly mother but not an earthly father.
• We had looked in Matthew 1:18 and read about how that part of the Genesis prophecy was filled in Jesus.
• Have you ever wondered why (other than this prophecy) the Messiah had to be born to a virgin?

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned

Romans 5:12

• Sin. That's why the Messiah had to be born of a virgin. Because of Adam's sin, we have all inherited sin and the death that is the result of sin.
• Many wise men, believe that sin is passed down through the father and since everybody has an earthly father, everybody has inherited sin.
• The father, as you might recall from last week when we studied "Everlasting Father" represents the first of it's kind. In other words, If the father sinned, all of his descendents like him sin.
• But Jesus, the Messiah, did not have an earthly father. Therefore, He did not inherit the sin of Adam.
• Another aspect of the Messiah being born to a virgin is that, well, it would be a miracle since normally there needs to be a mother and a father to make a baby.
• But remember we're talking about a Messiah whose name would be "Wonderful" and that Hebrew word means miraculous!

The Road To Bethlehem: Bethlehem

Today as we continue on the road to Bethlehem, I want to read a little bit about Bethlehem and who is associated with it. Bethlehem means "house of bread." It is also known as Ephrath which means "place of fruitfulness." Several well known Old Testament people are associated with Bethlehem.

• Rachel (wife of Jacob) was buried near Bethlehem (Genesis 35:19)
• Elimelech was from Bethlehem. He was the husband of Naomi who went and died in Moab. Naomi returned to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law Ruth.
• Boaz, who married Ruth, was from Bethlehem, as was their son Obed and their grandson Jesse.
• Jesse was the father of David, the second King of Israel, writer of many Psalms, "a man after God's own heart," and one through whom the Messiah was promised.

Another well know prophecy of the Messiah focuses on Bethlehem.

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    though you are small among the clans of Judah,
    out of you will come for me
    one who will be ruler over Israel,
    whose origins are from of old,
    from ancient times. "

Micah 5:2

• Although many significant people came from Bethlehem, it was a city for one of the smallest tribes of Israel.
• This verse says talks about a "ruler over Israel." How does this remind you of Isaiah 9:7?
• The government shall be on his shoulders
• wonderful counselor
• Prince of Peace
• This verse also mentions "whose origins are from old, from ancient times." How does that remind you of Isaiah 9:7?
• Everlasting Father
• Jesus was born in Bethlehem and He is King of Kings and He has existed forver. Do you think Jesus fulfills this prophecy?

The Road To Bethlehem: Prince of Peace

Today, we finish up our journey through Isaiah 9:6 (but not the road to Bethlehem) as we come to "Prince of Peace."

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

• The Hebrew words here are sar shalowm.

• Sar means prince or commander. It is used in the Old Testament of both nobility (princes) and commanders of armies.
• Shalowm is a word that today is used of peace. It can refer to completeness (in number), safety, soundness (in body), welfare, health, prosperity, peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment, peace in friendship
• We know that the Messiah will be
• ruler of everything (the governement will be on his shoulders)
• a master strategist (wonderful counselor)
• a mighty warrior (mighty God)
• forever (everlasting father)
• So what will he rule over?
• a complete kingdom - not one of His children will be left out
• a safe kingdom where we will be free from harm
• a healthy kingdom where no one will get sick again
• a peaceful kingdom where there will be no more war
• If that sounds like Heaven, it is!
• From all that we've learned by looking at Isaiah 9:6, can you see how the Israelites would be looking forward excitedly for the Messiah?
• Aren't you glad that we know the Messiah is Jesus?
• Are you glad that Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophecy?

The Road To Bethlehem: Everlasting Father

As we continue on the road to Bethlehem, we come now to "Everlasting Father."

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

• The Hebrew words we see here are `ad 'ab.
• `ad means "perpetuity, for ever, continuing future." and both means ancient (from forever ago) and lasting for all times (until forever in the future)
• 'ab means "father" or "head or founder of a household," or "ancestor," or "originator or patron of a class, profession, or art (i.e., first of it's kind)"
• So, how long has the child who was to be born existed?
• How long will He exist?
• How long has Jesus existed?


• How long will Jesus exist?

He [God] predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—

Ephesians 1:5

• This verse says we were adopted through Jesus. Would this confirm the Messiah as father or head of household?

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Romans 8:29

• This verse talks of Jesus being the firstborn among many brothers. Does this sound like the Messiah is originator or patron of a class, profession, or art (i.e., first of it's kind)
• Does it sound to you like Jesus fulfills the "Everlasting Father" part of this prophecy?

The Road To Bethlehem: Mighty God

As we continue on the road to Bethlehem, we come to "Mighty God."

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

• The Hebrew word gibbowr means strong and mighty. It is often used to describe mighty warriors, fighting men, or heroes.
• How would you define mighty?
• What are some ways that God is mighty?
• What are some things that God battles against?
• What are some ways that God is a hero?
• The Hebrew word el which is translated here as God means god or mighty one.
• So, in effect, we could translate gibbowr el as "Mighty, mighty God" further emphasizing God's mightiness!
• Isn't it good to know that the Messiah, who will be running the world and will be a master strategist, is called mighty mighty?
• If the Messiah is Mighty God, do you think he'll be able to carry out his plans?

The Road To Bethlehem: Counsleor

As we continue on the road to Bethlehem, we continue with our examination of the prophecy of the Messiah in Isaiah 9:6. Thus far, we've read about how the Messiah will

• Be born a baby
• Will be a son
• Will be ruler over all, and
• Will be wonderful

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

• In the Old Testament, a counsellor was someone who gave you advice and helped you plan. The Hebrew word here was often used of a king's top helpers, the people who helped the most in running his kingdom.
• We know that the Messiah would be the King of Kings. Here we see him referred to as Counselor. To me, this says that as King of Kings, he doesn't need anyone's advice. He already knows what is best.
• As I mentioned when we looked at "wonderful" most translations treat this as one phrase: "Wonderful Counselor." The New English Translation of the Bible translates this phrase as "Extraordinary Strategist."
• We often think of strategy when we're playing chess. We think a move may be a good move because it causes our oppponent to not have any good moves or to lose.
• The Messiah, the prophecy says, will be a master strategist. He will always know what the best move will be. He will always know how to acheive victory.
• Do you think that Jesus knows what is best for you?
• Can you follow Jesus' advice?
• Do you think that you should do what Jesus says to do?