Verse of the Day (December 11, 2019)

Verse of the Day (December 11, 2019) #BMSeminary – Isaiah tells his audience that “in that day” devastation will come from the hand of Assyria, the very power they decided to lean on instead of trusting God (vv. 18–25). Their short-term solution leads to long-term misery. Although the circumstances seem frightening, with Jerusalem under immediate threat, God again promises deliverance that can come by “the Lord himself” (v. 14). The sign of this promise was “the virgin” who “shall conceive and bear a son,” and this son will be called “Immanuel,” which means “God is with us” (v. 14; cf. 8:8, 10). While there may have been some immediate fulfillment of this promise in the time of Ahaz (perhaps Maher-shalal-hash-baz [8:1, 3], or Hezekiah), Christians rightly recognize, in light of the rest of Scripture, that this promise is ultimately fulfilled in the incarnation of the Son of God. He alone uniquely fulfills God’s promise to be “with us” (Matt. 1:23; cf. e.g., Rom. 8:3; Gal. 4:4; Phil. 2:7; 1 John 4:2; 2 John 7). He alone will ground the promises of God, not merely in words but in his life, death, and resurrection. He alone will be faithful even amid the greatest temptations and trials, even unto death. Therefore, he is now the anchor and center of our faith and trust. (Gospel Transformation Study Bible)