We must therefore pursue this theme in further studies together, in which we shall

discover that in Practical Truth as well as in Gospel, Doctrine and Dispensation, the glory

of Him Who alone could bear the name Emmanuel, irradiates all with its glorious

influence.

We have seen the fundamental importance of the doctrine contained in the name of

Christ "Emmanuel", and must, before proceeding to consider its bearing upon Gospel,

doctrine and practice in the N.T., give some attention to the O.T. prophecy which was

fulfilled in the birth of Christ.

The section of Isaiah,  which gives us  the prophetic name Emmanuel,  covers

chapters 7: to 9: 7, and in these chapters the teaching of the prophet is made to revolve

around children who are given as "signs".

SHEAR-JASHUB "The remnant shall return" (7: 3). This child accompanied Isaiah

when he sought to encourage Ahaz to "Take heed and be quiet", in face of the evil

counsel of Syria, Ephraim and the son of Remaliah (7: 4-9).

Isaiah appears to have entertained extreme doubt as to Ahaz and expressed his doubt

in the words "If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established" (7: 9).

To encourage Ahaz yet further in resisting the enmity of these confederate kings, he is

called upon to ask a sign of the Lord, whether in the depth, or in the height above. He

appears, however to have made up his mind, "he had a policy of his own and was

determined to pursue it. He insisted on appealing to Assyria" (G. A. Smith).

Upon the King's refusal to ask a sign, the prophet replies with the second great sign of

the section, the sign of the Virgin's Son.

IMMANUEL "God with us" (7: 14). We must give this sign closer attention, but

will continue and record the third of these signs together with Isaiah's own comment and

MAHER-SHALAL-HASH-BAZ "Haste, spoil, speed, prey" (8: 1-4) which speaks

of the coming of the King of Assyria and the spoiling of Damascus and Samaria.