Immanuel: God with us. Isaiah 7:14
Advent 4
Ahaz (referenced in the lesson from Isaiah) and Joseph (referenced in the Gospel reading) were ‘in the same boat.’ Each was coping with challenges: problems not easily resolved; questions with no clear answers; and life threatening circumstances. Each endeavored to address their challenge the best way they knew how. The difference between the two: Joseph turned to God for help, Ahaz did not.
Ahaz’ challenge is described in the Book of Isaiah. Isaiah 7:10-16 While serving as the king of Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel, Ahaz received a petition to join a coalition with Jerusalem, the northern kingdom of Israel, and Syria against the invading Assyrian army. King Ahaz consulted the political, military and religious advisors of his cabinet. Should he accept the petition from allies or make a treaty with the invading nation?
Isaiah, one of his religious advisors, urged Ahaz to consult God as he weighed the options,
Ask for a sign from God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. Isaiah 7:11
Turning to God would help Ahaz see God’s hand in the options that lay before him. Turning to God would facilitate Ahaz’ ability to recognize God’s will. Ahaz did not turn to God. He said, “I will not put the LORD to the test.” Isaiah 7:12 On the surface, this response seems devout, but this was not the case. Ahaz’ religious language masked his unwillingness or inability to turn to God. Instead of seeking God’s help, Ahaz turning to his political and military advisors. He accepted the Assyrian treaty and rejected the petition from Jerusalem and Syria. Isaiah was furious when heard about Ahaz’ decision. Isaiah proclaimed,
“Hear this, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals that you must also weary God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. A young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:13-14
Assyria left Judah alone as it conquered Syria, Jerusalem, and other nations. Eventually Assyria was conquered by Babylon. When Babylon attacked Judah, there were no allies left to come to their aid. Judah was destroyed and its people were killed or deported.
Isaiah’s proclamation contains an indictment and a promise. The indictment: shame on Ahaz, his cabinet, and the people of Judah for wearying God by their refusal to turn to God. The promise: though they had turned from God, God would not turn from them. God would no longer rely on patriarchs, prophets, or politicians as messengers of God’s faithfulness and protection. God would ask “a young woman to bear a child, and name her child Immanuel.” Immanuel, means God with us. Isaiah reminded Judah and us that God would be with us.
Joseph also faced challenges. One of his challenges is described in today’s reading from Matthew. Matthew 1:18-25 Joseph was betrothed to Mary. Mary’s father had paid the bride price, the ketubah (marriage contract) was signed, and the date for the ceremony was set. Mary and Joseph were married, but had not yet begun living together when Joseph learned Mary was with child. Religious law required Joseph to report Mary’s pregnancy to the rabbis. The rabbis would determine who the father was and require him to take the pregnant female as his concubine or wife.
If the female was not claimed, her family had the right to seek restitution for the loss of their property. (Females in those days were not people, like land, buildings, and cattle, they were property.) Death was among the accepted forms of punishments for males who took a female without the consent of their father and brothers. Because the community had to care for women and children without male guardians, unmarried pregnant females were also subject to punishment. The standard punishment, stoning to death, sent a message that sex outside marriage would not be tolerated. Joseph wrestled with what to do. After considered the facts and weighing his options, Joseph decided not to report Mary to the rabbis. He would dismiss Mary quietly. Soon after Joseph resolved to do this, “an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.” Matthew 1:20 The angel talked with Joseph. Not so fast my good man. While it seems clever and compassionate to withhold information about Mary’s pregnancy from the rabbis, this choice leaves Mary without the protection of marriage. God needs more from Joseph than clever ideas and compassion justures. God needs you to adopt this child. God needs you to protect, mentor, educate, and train this child. God needs you to provide for, respect, and learn how to love Mary even though you don’t trust her now. Like every baby, this baby is a miracle. Unlike other babies, this baby will be the means by which God saves the world. After the angel’s talk with Joseph, the Gospel of Matthew says, “Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded.” Matthew 1:24
Joseph shifted. He shifted from dealing with a challenge on his own to allowing God to help him. Joseph had made up his mind, but remained open to promptings from God. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Joseph faced many more challenges: retaining his manhood in the wake of rich guys giving gifts to his adoptive son he would never afford; getting his family safely out Israel while Herod massacred infants in Bethlehem; establishing a home and business in a foreign country; paying for Jesus to study with rabbis while training him to become a carpenter; and allowing Jesus to leave the family carpentry business to preach and teach. Joseph took on each and every challenge with God’s help.
We all have challenges. God wants us to use our skills, resources, and expert advice to cope with problems that are not easily resolved, address questions with no clear answers, and deal with life threatening circumstances. God promised to be with us as we cope with what comes our way. Jesus, Immanuel, is the fulfillment of God’s promise. God will never leave or forsake you. God is with you in good times and in bad.
