Names give identity.
In Biblical times, when a name was given, the meaning was important.
“Then the man—Adam—named his wife Eve, because she would be the mother of all who live” Genesis 3:20 NLT.
“Joseph named his older son Manasseh, for he said, “God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my father’s family.” Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, “God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief.” Genesis 41:51-52 NLT
The names in the Bible were connected to a moment or situation of the person giving the name.
When God reveals His names in Scripture, they tell about the character and attributes of God.
With Christmas almost here, we look at the name Immanuel. The name of Christ is proclaimed in the book of Isaiah.
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” Isaiah 7:14 NLT
At his birth, Jesus took on the flesh of a human, yet still maintained His deity. Jesus made God visible to us. “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God…..” Colossians 1:15a NLT
“Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you?” John 14:8-9 NLT
God’s love for us is great. He sent His Son to die for us but also allowed us to know Him better.
Immanuel means “God with us” God showed us that He is with us. So when we are going through a difficult time or situation, we know that God is always with us.
Historically, when Jesus was born, Judah was under Roman rule. I am sure that Israel felt that God was far away. We often feel the same. Immanuel reminds us of this. “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” Matthew 1: 23 NLT
