Temple shepherds were the first to hear the angelic announcement of Jesus’ birth (Lk. 2:8-20). The angel’s message brought overwhelming joy to the shepherds because their knowledge of Scripture undoubtedly included the prophecies concerning the Messiah. One of Isaiah’s Messianic prophecies would have been of particular interest to them, though we mostly hear it in isolation to the context today.

THE SIGN OCCURRED DURING A DARK PERIOD OF HISTORY
The prophecy was delivered to Judah during the rule of King Ahaz. Israel to the north had created an alliance with Syria against Judah in the south. Cooperating to destabilize Judah, King Pekah of Israel and King Rezin of Syria plotted to kill King Ahaz and replace him with a Syrian puppet king named Tabeal. The Davidic lineage was at stake. (1)

Isaiah assured Ahaz that the threatening alliance would ultimately fail and pressed him to request a sign that would authenticate the prophecy (Isa. 7:10-17).

Ahaz did not trust God and had in point of fact already determined to appeal to Assyria for help. Assuming a pseudo-pious tone to camouflage his noncompliance and rebelliously claiming he would not test God, Ahaz refused to ask God for a sign.

In spite of the king’s refusal, Isaiah conveyed the sign—not to unbelieving Ahaz—but to the house of David.

 Hear now, O house of David!  . . . Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel (Is.7:13-14).

While a time frame confirming resolution of the current threat to unbelieving Ahaz was embedded in the prophecy, the sign had even greater significance for the future. The sign—that a virgin would bear a son— was given to the house of David. No time frame was specified for fulfillment, however. The embedded message to Ahaz, on-the-other-hand, did.

It is critical to grasp that in contrast to the “house of David,” the pronoun “you” in verse seventeen specifies “Ahaz.” The period of time referenced was definite. Using the typical interval between the birth of a child and his ability to discern good and evil, Isaiah told Ahaz that within that specific time span, the alliance between Israel and Syria would fail.

Two years later in 732 BC both Pekah and Rezin were dead along with the feared alliance.

THE SIGN ASSURED THE FULFILLMENT OF THE DAVIDIC COVENANT
The prophecy tied fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant to the promised Messiah assuring the house of David and all Israel that the Davidic Dynasty, kingdom and throne were secure and unaffected by present circumstances. The sign was clear. It was singularly distinctive—the virgin conceiving and bearing a Son—to verify the identity of the promised Messiah.

The use of the definite article identifies a particular virgin referring to the promise of Messiah through the seed of the woman (Gen 3:15). (2) The sign put Israel on high-alert for the coming of the Messiah who would be born of a virgin as Isaiah predicted.

Shortly after giving this sign, Isaiah gave a more comprehensive description of this same Child as the Messianic fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant.

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. Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this (Isa. 9:6-7).

Messiah, a descendant of David and ruling from his throne, will bring peace to the world not only during the Messianic Kingdom, but continuing into eternity, as Isaiah boldly articulated.

Referencing Messiah as “Mighty God” and “Everlasting Father” specifically underscores His deity. These names can refer to no one but God. The certainty of Messiah’s advent had its basis in the Davidic Covenant, which is a unilateral covenant requiring the “zeal of the Lord” for fulfillment.

As evidenced by their response, the shepherds understood that the coming of Messiah was inseparably linked with God’s covenant relationship to Israel and specific promise to King David. Unfortunately without the context of the seventh chapter of Isaiah, Christians miss the centrality of Israel in God’s plan and purpose.

Bethlehem with shepherd and flocks in foreground.

Shepherds’ Fields east of Bethlehem

THE SIGN IDENTIFIED THE VIRGIN’S SON
On the night of our Lord’s birth, the singularly distinctive sign was fulfilled. The shepherd’s saw the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy with their own eyes because they recognized the link between the sign given to Ahaz and the angel’s message.  The shepherds’ actions demonstrated that they fully embraced the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy. They immediately went to investigate and found Immanuel!

 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds (Lk. 2:16-18).

Like the shepherds, we must share the Good News with everyone. The historical context of Isaiah’s prophecy is even more significant today than 2,000 years ago. The establishment of David’s throne is on the horizon. The Messianic Kingdom will soon be a reality.

ENDNOTES:
(1) Charles Lee Feinberg, “The Virgin Birth in the Old Testament and Isaiah”, Bibliotheca Sacra, (119:475, July 1962).
(2) God gave the original Messianic prophecy shortly after Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden. God sees the totality of history from beginning to end with has set specific times for the events of history.

IMAGES:
1)  Bethlehem with shepherd and flocks in foreground. (Photo credit: American Colony Photo Department/[No known restrictions on publication]/Library of Congress/Enhancement, MKM Portfolios)
2) The Prophet Isaiah. (Image used for illustrative purposes) (Photo credit: By James Tissot)-[PD-US, PD-Art]/Wikimedia/Enhancement, MKM Portfolios)
3) Shepherds’ Fields east of Bethlehem. (Photo credit: American Colony Photo Department/[No known restrictions on publication]/Library of Congress/Enhancement, MKM Portfolios)

Copyright © 2016 Charles E. McCracken, devotional comments only. Repost/Reprint with permission from the author via Contact Form under ABOUT. Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Charles E. McCracken is an international Bible teacher, long-time friend of Israel and advocate for the Jewish people. Rev. McCracken is known for authenticity in communicating biblical truth that makes his presentations relevant for those seeking to understand the significance of Israel and the church in Bible prophecy. He staunchly supports the nation of Israel and the Jewish people’s right to exist and live in peace.