Immanuel - God With Us

Immanuel - God With Us

- Your Deliverance Comes From Faith In His Name

Written by Eileen R. Jacobs

“BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US.” - Matthew 1:23 (NASB)

In the spirit of Christmas, I want to explore some details from the passages on the birth and naming of Jesus, that really get to the heart of what is so important for us to consider as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Christ child.

Before I get started, I want to share a bit of my own life journey as I begin to explore this topic. For those of you who haven’t paid attention to who is writing to you, I’d like to introduce myself...my name is Eileen.

When I was a young girl, I hated my name. The only reason I came to hate my name was because it was used against me as a form of childhood and even teenage persecution. Yes, I was teased quite often for more than one reason, unfortunately. I was a red-head with a vibrant personality, and I liked to lead and teach others around me, and I also had a name that was easily manipulated for abusive purposes. Perhaps some of you can relate.

But before you start feeling sorry for me, you should know that my attitude towards my name was completely transformed when I learned that my name had a meaning, and that meaning was designed and assigned by my God and Father, not just my earthly parents.

When I was around 10 or 11 years old, I became a believer in Jesus Christ and that was the time when my name was written in The Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 21:23-27/Revelation 20:11-15). This glorious time of salvation was the most important revelation I had ever accepted and received concerning my name. But then again, when I was in my late teenage years, I experienced another great revelation. I was given a card by a friend that explained the Biblical meaning of my name. Then, around the same time, my parents had given me a lighthouse necklace, which I later understood to be a prophetic insight into my life purpose. You see, my name means “Light; A Bearer of Light; Radiant.”

Even when I was a young child, I loved the Word of God and I loved to tell about Jesus. But the devil saw an opportunity to hinder and quench my God-given purpose by assaulting my name, my personality, and my purpose during my formative years. I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit came along side me and helped me through those difficult early growing experiences, and He helped me learn and appreciate the true meaning of my name and the exciting purpose God has for me.

As I became a true student of the Word, I began to learn that names in the Bible are very important to God and they carry great meaning and also tell God’s story. Every detail recorded in God’s Word is there for a reason and it is truly a delight to discover all the meanings that God has hidden in the names of people, places and things; even His own name.

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.” - Proverbs 25:2 (NASB)

The Ultimate Question - What Is His Name?

As we celebrate Christmas this year, let us search out and understand the great message and purpose of God in the name of His Beloved Son. We will begin with the Proverbs of Agur and his compelling question.

“Surely I am too brutish and stupid to be called a man, and I have not the understanding of a man [for all my secular learning is as nothing].

I have not learned skillful and godly Wisdom, that I should have the knowledge or burden of the Holy One.

Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, if you know?” - Proverbs 30:2-4 AMPC

Though it would appear that Agur was highly educated in the things of mankind, there was one thing he admits that he lacked. He was desiring to know the Holy One and his suggestion is that no amount of natural learning satisfied his unanswered question...”What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, if you know?” In verse 5, he tells us where the answer to this question is found. It is found in God’s Word and in His Word we find not only the true knowledge of God and the significance of His great name, but also His protection.

Meaning of Salvation

Notice the promise that is given in Psalm 91…

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness—trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.” - Psalm 91:14-16 AMPC

This awesome promise of God is given to those who seek Him for a loving relationship and for refuge. Notice again that there is something inherent in knowing and understanding God’s name. It brings protection and deliverance. It brings a speedy answer of deliverance in trouble (see also the Discovering Grace Weekly #4). It comes with the promise of long life. And finally, this has God’s specific promise to show those who know His name, His “salvation.” What is this “Salvation?”

The word translated as “salvation” is the Hebrew word yeshû‛âh. It is a noun that means “relief – the sense of being rescued from an enemy, trouble or illness.” (see https://www.ancient-hebrew.org/definition/salvation.htm). When God says that He will show us His salvation, His rescue, that ought to incite great comfort and joy. The entire point of Psalm 91 is the great protection and rescue from enemies of every kind, including accidents, dangers and harms, sicknesses and diseases, and all the powers of the evil one and his dark forces. Amazing!!!

This Hebrew word for “salvation” comes from the root word yâsha‛, which is the verb form that means “to rescue, to save, to be delivered.” It is from this root word that we get the name Joshua or yehôshûa‛,which means “Jehovah is salvation.” What is even more interesting is that Joshua is the Hebrew name for “Jesus” in the Greek New Testament. And guess what Jesus’ Name means? You guessed it...“Jehovah is salvation!”

You Shall Name Him Jesus

Now that we have this foundation, let's jump right into the Christmas story, because there is even more to be found in the Scripture’s details.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by [the power of] the Holy Spirit.

And Joseph her [promised] husband, being a just and righteous man and not wanting to expose her publicly to shame, planned to send her away and divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

She will give birth to a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus (The Lord is salvation), for He will save His people from their sins.”

All this happened in order to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet [Isaiah]:

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel”—which, when translated, means, “God with us.”

Then Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and he took Mary [to his home] as his wife,

but he kept her a virgin until she had given birth to a Son [her firstborn child]; and he named Him Jesus (The Lord is salvation).” - Matthew 1:18-25 AMP

This story is just brimming with real faith. It is filled with average and ordinary people who were able to hear God speak to them, discern that it was truly their God, and step out boldly to do by faith exactly what He told them to do. Joseph was given the important task of giving his son the name that God had instructed...”Jesus!” Joseph was then told why this name was so important. It was because Jesus, whose name meant “Jehovah is salvation,” would “save His people from their sins.” Every time Jesus would hear His name being spoken by His earthly parents or family and friends, it would remind Him of His life’s purpose and keep Him steadfast in the will of His Heavenly Father.

Next, we are told that the reason Joseph received a dream from God, giving him loving and specific instructions about his life and future marriage, and the name of the son that God was entrusting him to raise and care for, was in order to fulfill the Old Testament prophesy of Isaiah. This prophesy stated that the people “shall call His name Immanuel”—which, when translated, means, “God with us.”

The Story Behind the Prophesy

Now, I saw two separate names listed here, so I decided to do some Bible investigating. The name “Jesus” (Jehovah is salvation) is what the Lord told Joseph to name His Son, yet the prophesy in Isaiah calls Him “Immanuel...God with us.” As I poured into the Word, I found it very interesting that this prophesy of Isaiah, was located inside of another strange, but fascinating story. It is the story of King Ahaz of Judah and his unholy alliance with the King of Assyria. The account is found in Isaiah 7-9, 2 Kings 16, and 2 Chronicles 28.

Here is a summary of the situation... The people of Israel had become divided into two kingdoms. The kingdom of Israel consisted of the ten tribes of Israel, and the kingdom of Judah had only two tribes. The kingdom of Israel had kings that routinely disobeyed the commands of the Lord and did not walk in His ways. We are told that many of the kings of Judah followed the Lord, for the most part, but not all of them. This particular story involves Pekah, the King of Israel and Ahaz, the King of Judah. Both of these guys did evil in the sight of the Lord. It came about that the King of Israel joined forces with the pagan King of Syria and were planning to come against the lands of the King of Judah to make war, terrorizing the people, taking them hostage, and placing their own king in the midst.

What is interesting, is that even though the King of Judah was wicked and sinned against the Lord, because of the promises made to King David (his predecessor), God was planning to help King Ahaz. God had seen that the hearts of King Ahaz and the people had slipped into great fear because of the coming war, so God sent the prophet Isaiah to bring him words of comfort. Look at what God tells him…

“...and say to him, ‘Take care and be calm, do not fear and be weak-hearted because of these two stumps of smoldering logs, on account of the fierce anger of [King] Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah (Pekah, usurper of the throne of Israel).” - Isaiah 7:4 AMP

I love how God describes these two, nit-wit nations. While He recognizes that they have fierce anger issues, God sees them as nothing more than cut-off stumps and smoldering logs. In other words, these nations have no power or might in God’s estimation. In fact, in verse 7, God informs King Ahaz that all of their threats or plans to advance will not come to pass. God sent the prophet Isaiah to King Ahaz to prophesy of his enemies defeat and even gave him an opportunity to build his confidence in God by asking for a sign. Yes, this was a case where God was actually encouraging a great sinner to ask Him for a sign that God would be favorable and gracious to help him. Amazing!

“Moreover, the Lord spoke again to King Ahaz, saying,

Ask for yourself a sign (a token or proof) of the Lord your God [one that will convince you that God has spoken and will keep His word]; ask it either in the depth below or in the height above [let it be as deep as Sheol or as high as heaven]." - Isaiah 7:10-11 AMPC

God was making a promise to King Ahaz that He would defeat the enemies of Judah, yet there was only one stipulation. King Ahaz had to believe God. He needed to agree with the Words of God through the prophet Isaiah and believe God would help him. The only thing God asked was for him to apply his faith to the words that God had spoken, and trust God to do what He said He would do to the King’s enemies.

“...If you will not believe and trust and rely [on God and on the words of God’s prophet instead of Assyria], surely you will not be established nor will you remain.” - Isaiah 7:9 AMPC

However, King Ahaz refused the help of the Lord and sought the help of the pagan King of Assyria instead, making himself his slave and even robbing the house of the Lord to satisfy this tyrant’s greedy wishes. (2 Kings 16:7-8) King Ahaz refused the grace of God and it ended up costing him and the nation in the end.

“But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord.

And [Isaiah] said, Hear then, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary and try the patience of men, but will you weary and try the patience of my God also?” - Isaiah 7:12-13 AMPC

The Famous Prophesy and Its Fulfillment

This is where the story contains the famous prophesy of Isaiah about the coming Messiah. Since King Ahaz refused the grace of God for the help of a tyrant, and would not ask the Lord for a sign as he was instructed, the Lord made His own prophetic sign. This sign was finally fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ, God’s Own Son.

"Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, the young woman who is unmarried and a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [God with us].” - Isaiah 7:14 AMPC

King Ahaz needed God’s help to defeat his enemies, but he refused the salvation of God. Yet in the loving and generous heart of God, provision was still made for help against the fiercest of all enemies. Since the Bible tells us in the New Testament book of Matthew that this sign of God, given through the prophet Isaiah, about a virgin bearing a son whose name would be “Immanuel [God with us],” is actually Jesus, we can see now that Immanuel [God with us]” was actually a fulfillment of God’s original intention to defeat all enemies and to keep us from bondage to oppressors.

The Real Enemy

Digging into this story really blessed me. I hope you are seeing the wonderful heart of our God here! Let’s go back for a moment to the Christmas story and the words that were spoken to Joseph about the child in Mary’s womb and the name He was to be given…

"She will give birth to a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus (The Lord is salvation), for He will save His people from their sins.”

All this happened in order to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet [Isaiah]:

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel”—which, when translated, means, “God with us.”- Matthew 1:21-23 AMP

“And you shall name Him Jesus (The Lord is salvation)!” And this was to fulfill the prophesy given by Isaiah, as a result of the wicked King Ahaz’s rejection of the grace of God. Our God has been on a relentless pursuit to offer us His grace. Just as with King Ahaz, God’s purpose was and has always been to defeat our enemies. God would have defeated all of King Ahaz’s enemies, but God provided a better sign than even King Ahaz could have asked for. And God’s sign was that a child would be born, a Child Who would save His people from the most powerful of all enemies. That enemy was sin and the power behind it, which is the devil. Oh, what blessed comfort that brings to this Christmas celebration.

So now, we can answer Agur’s question from Proverbs 30. We know the name of God’s Son. His name is Jesus (The Lord is Salvation). His name is Immanuel (God with us). And we know that He was given these names because He would save us from the greatest of all enemies, which is sin.

The Promise to David was Fulfilled

Because of his unbelief, King Ahaz lost his kingdom, as did all of the kings of Israel and Judah in order for God to make room for the King of all Kings and The Lord of all Lords (1 Timothy 6:15-16/Revelation 19:16). Look at the words given to Mary…

"And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;

and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end." - Luke 1:31-33 NASB

God has fulfilled His promises to David (2 Samuel 7). He has placed His King upon the throne because He has defeated all of His enemies. His kingdom will have no end, because His enemies are all defeated. His people live in peace, for He has rescued, delivered and saved them completely. And, what is his name? His name is Jesus!

Psalm 91 Fulfilled

At the 8th day, Jesus was circumcised according to the Law (Leviticus 12:3), which Joseph and Mary obeyed by their faith in God. It was at this time that Joseph and Mary also completely trusted and obeyed the words of The Lord by giving the child the Name of Jesus as they were instructed.

“And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.” - Luke 2:21 NASB

When the time of purification was completed, they once again followed what was prescribed in the Law (Exodus 13:2,12/Leviticus 12:4-8) and took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to be dedicated to The Lord, and to offer the appropriate sacrifices. I am relating this story, because I saw something precious as it related to an old man that they met there. His name was Simeon. Let’s follow the story…

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout [cautiously and carefully observing the divine Law], and looking for the Consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

And it had been divinely revealed (communicated) to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

And prompted by the [Holy] Spirit, he came into the temple [enclosure]; and when the parents brought in the little child Jesus to do for Him what was customary according to the Law,

[Simeon] took Him up in his arms and praised and thanked God and said,

And now, Lord, You are releasing Your servant to depart (leave this world) in peace, according to Your word.

or with my [own] eyes I have seen Your Salvation,

Which You have ordained and prepared before (in the presence of) all peoples,

A Light for revelation to the Gentiles [to disclose what was before unknown] and [to bring] praise and honor and glory to Your people Israel.” - Luke 2:25-32 AMPC

Oh, what a glorious discovery! I believe that Simeon experienced the fulfillment of Psalm 91:16…

"With a long life I will satisfy him And let him see My salvation." - Psalm 91:16 NASB

Without knowing the name of the child, the Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would see the Salvation of the Lord before he passed away. So entering the temple that day, being led by the Holy Spirit, he held in his own hands the Christ child, the Messiah, the Anointed One. We have Simeon’s testimony that Jesus is the Salvation for all. Included in Simeon’s revelation was God’s marvelous plan to bring His Light to not only the Jewish nation, but also the Gentiles.

The Name Above Every Name

We began this article with the story of the revelation of my own name. And, while I am glad to know that my name means “Light,” and I am encouraged that I bear the Light of Jesus, I am even more blessed and encouraged by the Name above all names… Jesus (The Lord is Salvation) and Immanuel (God with us).

“Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained,

But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being.

And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!

Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name,

That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” - Philippians 2:6-11 AMPC

While King Ahaz had plenty of opportunity and reason to trust in the grace of the Almighty God, and even though God was willing to give him a sign in order to gain his trust, Ahaz chose to reject the gift of God. Since Ahaz rejected the gift of a sign, God has given us the greatest sign of all...the sign of a child, born to a virgin, whose name meant that God would be with us. The virgin was to give Him the Name which meant The Lord is Salvation...Jesus. It was confirmed to Joseph. We have been given more than enough to believe and to trust that God, Himself would come down and defeat all of our enemies. He came to save us from our sins and every other enemy. Will we believe?

There Is Salvation In No One Else

The enemies that surrounded King Ahaz were too strong for him, and he needed the Salvation of the Lord. Our enemies are too strong for us as well, and we have been given The Salvation of the Lord for every need. Not only is the name of Jesus special to us for all that it means, but it is also the power to defeat every enemy that attempts to rise up against His rule and reign in our lives.

As we celebrate Christmas in this most challenging season, where enemies seen to be surrounding us on every side, let us consider whether we are more like King Ahaz and place our trust in things that have no power to save, or will we simply believe the Words of God?

After Jesus was crucified, risen and ascended into Heaven, He had given the power of His amazing Name to all of His believing disciples to use. He promised that any prayer spoken in His Name (John 16:23-24/John 15:16), in faith, would be answered. His disciples took Jesus at His Word and applied the power inherent in His name to heal a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb. When they were interrogated by the unbelieving, religious authorities, this is what they said…

"The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him.

"But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,

but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.

"And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.” - Acts 3:13-16 NASB

The power that is present in this most wonderful Name above all names, Jesus, brought salvation to this man who had been sick for his entire life. Not only was this man healed physically, but he also went about praising God and followed Peter and John into the temple to worship. This man had received salvation for his soul by faith also. He became a believer. Notice also the final words of defense given by the disciples…

“Then Peter, [because he was] filled with [and controlled by] the Holy Spirit, said to them, Rulers of the people and members of the council (the Sanhedrin),

If we are being put on trial [here] today and examined concerning a good deed done to benefit a feeble (helpless) cripple, by what means this man has been restored to health,

Let it be known and understood by all of you, and by the whole house of Israel, that in the name and through the power and authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom you crucified, [but] Whom God raised from the dead, in Him and by means of Him this man is standing here before you well and sound in body.

This [Jesus] is the Stone which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which has become the Head of the corner [the Cornerstone].

And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved.” - Acts 4:8-12 AMPC

Friends, as we close out this year, may we find salvation, peace and rest in the mighty Name of Jesus. Symbolically, there are many Assyrians out there vying for your trust to deliver you, and they want to make you their slaves and take all of your resources with them. Let us not be like King Ahaz and forsake the grace of God in the gift of His own Son, The Lord Jesus Christ. If you are sick, there is salvation in no one else. If you are poor, there is salvation in no one else. If you have been burdened down with sin or addictions, there is salvation in no one else. If you have never placed your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to save you from all your sins and every other enemy, let this be the best Christmas present you have ever received. Simply…

"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." - Acts 16:31 NASB

The only thing God accepts is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, “for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved.” We encourage you to also read our article (Get Saved Now...Ask Questions Later). You’ll be so glad you did.

Merry Christmas, Friends!!!

“But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You.” - Psalm 5:11 (NASB)

written by

Eileen R. Jacobs (December 2020)

Copyright © 2020 Eileen Jacobs Ministries. All rights reserved.