Immanuel, God with Us

In the book of Isaiah, God gave His people a sign.

He said that a virgin would get pregnant without the help of any man. This same virgin would have a Son, and His name would be Immanuel, “which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matthew 1:23, KJV). This is in fulfillment of a promise back in the book of Genesis. God speaking to the serpent told him that He would put enmity between the woman and the serpent; her Seed would bruise the serpent’s head, or in other words, destroy him (Genesis 3:15). In the Garden of Eden before Adam sinned, God used to walk in the garden in the cool of the day and talk with His people.

Adam and Eve were able to talk face-to-face with God.

They were able to sit with Him and discover the secrets of creation and the universe. Just like little children running to their father to hear the latest story, Adam and Eve would run to God to be with Him —until sin happened.

Then humans were no longer able to sit and talk with God openly, face-to-face. The loss of communication between God and man was difficult not only for man but also for God. He missed the communion with His creatures.

So God gave His people a sign.

This communication loss wouldn’t go on forever.

A virgin would get pregnant and have a Son, and that Son would be God, who would dwell among the people. He would walk with them, and talk with them, and tell them wonderful stories, just like in the Garden of Eden.

The difference this time was that His special people didn’t accept Him as God. The ones whom He had ordained to be the keepers of His Word and to spread the good news about Him hated Him. They beat Him. They tried to stone Him.

They spat on Him. Finally, out of rage, they nailed Him to a cross and killed Him. His people. He was born so He could die. He knew in His childhood what His responsibility was. He readily accepted the challenge just so He could be with us and talk with us and walk with us. He was born. He grew up. He lived. He loved.

He died. He lives again. All so He can be with us for eternity.

I want to spend eternity with someone who loves me that much.

Eva M. Starner