Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
                                and shall call his name Immanuel. - Isaiah 7:14 

      In the early 90s, as coalition forces took a hands-on approach in the Middle East, the idea that God has somehow taken a hands-off approach to His creation resonated in the ears and hearts of the youth of America.  Singer Bette Midler crooned “God is watching us from a distance,” encouraging the idea that God is somewhat like an absentee father. The prophet Isaiah, however, proclaimed that a child would be born and His name would be called ‘Immanuel.’ (God with us.)

      We speak freely of Immanuel at Christmas time, but tend to overlook the wonderful truths hidden in this Name during the rest of the year. The birth of Messiah was the birth of Immanuel. He did not cease to be Immanuel when He left the manger. He did not cease to be Immanuel when He was crucified. He did not cease to be Immanuel when He ascended into heaven. He came to be our Immanuel, God with us, forever.

      But, how is it possible for God to be with us if “No man hath seen God at any time” (John 1:18)? Even the great patriarch Moses was told he could not look upon the face of God and live (Exodus 33:20). When God spoke to him from the burning bush, Moses was afraid to look upon God and hid his face (Exodus 3:6). To survive just a glimpse of God’s glory as He passed by, Moses had to be hidden in a rock and covered by God’s hand (Exodus 33:21-23). When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, the people begged him to wear a veil. They were afraid if they looked upon the glory of God radiating from his face, they would die.

      In Old Testament times, God did not meet with humans personally in the same way as He does today. He revealed Himself through signs and wonders; spoke to them through the prophets; and filled the temple with His glory, but was not yet revealed as Immanuel, God with us. Through His servant Isaiah, He gave an awesome promise of what was to come. “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”  (Isaiah 7:14).

      The first chapter of John reveals Jesus Christ as the Living Word, who was and is God, who became flesh and dwelt among us. Therein lies the answer to the question asked above: How is it possible for God to be with us if “No man hath seen God at any time”? Just as a covering was required for Moses to see just a glimpse of God’s glory, a covering is needed for us to look upon Him and live also. John testified to having seen Him, touched Him and listened to His words (1 John 1:1-2). It is possible for us to look upon Him because God chose to clothe Himself in flesh in order to become our Immanuel. God “took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men”(Philippians 2:5-7).

     Why would the God of the universe, the Creator of all, the King of kings and Lord of lords choose to do such a thing? Think about it this way. What is the best way to nurture a relationship with another person? By spending time with them, reaching out to them where they are, right? The best way for you and I to witness to an unbeliever is not to drag them kicking and screaming into some church building. Our words, in and of themselves, are often not enough to reach them. If we take the time to get to know them, participate in their lives and meet them at their level, we will SHOW them the love of God. They will see for themselves the difference He has made in our lives. God revealed Himself in words through the mouths of the prophets and His written Word. He then became Immanuel to SHOW us who His is, SHOW us His love, SHOW us how to live, and SHOW us the difference He can make in our lives.

     Our Immanuel is very much here with us, a constant presence in our lives. He is our very present help in time of need, who understands our needs and feelings, and who has faced every temptation and difficulty we face (Hebrews 4:15). He is NOT like an absentee father at all. He is very much here, actively concerned and participating in every aspect of our lives.

     The personal relationship we have with God under the new covenant provides us access to His throne of grace. This is only possible because He took upon flesh, becoming our Immanuel. Paul speaks of the “mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations but now is made manifest to his saints…which is Christ in you, the hope of glory”  (Colossians 1:26-27). If He had not become our Immanuel, this mystery would never have been revealed. The saints of old could not look upon His face. His glory dwelled in the temple only temporarily. God clothed Himself in flesh to meet with us where we are, to redeem us, make us His own and enable us to look upon His face. Immanuel has come in His glory to reside with us and in us forever (2 Corinthians 4:6).

     The song mentioned in the first paragraph presented to our youth the false notion that “God is watching us from a distance.”  I pray the next generation will know and remember the truth that God is OUR IMMANUEL FOREVER and sing…

             Emmanuel, Emmanuel
             His Name is Emmanuel
             God with us
             Revealed in us
             His name is called Emmanuel
             (Bob McGee 1976 /C.A. Music)


                      “…and they shall call his name Emmanuel,
                                     which being interpreted is, God with us.”(Matthew 1:21)



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