IMMANU-EL Ἐμμανουήλ EMMANOUEL The name Immanuel appears twice in the Hebrew Scriptures and once in the New Testament. One of the most comforting of all the names and titles of Jesus, it is literally translated "with us is God" or, as Matthew's Gospel puts it, "God with us." When our sins made it impossible for us to come to Him, God took the outrageous step of coming to us, of making Himself susceptible to sorrow, familiar with temptation, and vulnerable to sin's disruptive power in order to cancel its claim. In Jesus we see how extreme God's love is. Remember this the next time you feel discouraged, abandoned, or too timid to undertake some new endeavor. For Jesus is still Immanuel — He is still "God with us." Key Scripture All this happened so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet came true: "The virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they will name Him Immanuel," which means "God is with us." — Matthew 1:22–23 God Reveals His Name in Scripture Matthew 1:18-23 Open your personal Bible translation and read the same passage. Make note when you see the name IMMANUEL. 18 The birth of Yeshua Christ took place in this way. His mother Mary had been promised to Joseph in marriage. But before they were married, Mary realized that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph was an honorable man and did not want to disgrace her publicly. So he decided to break the marriage agreement with her secretly. 20 Joseph had this in mind when an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The angel said to him, "Joseph, descendant of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She is pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a Son, and you will name Him Yeshua [He Saves], because He will save His people from their sins." 22 All this happened so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet came true: 23 "The virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they will name Him Immanuel," which means "God is with us." Understanding the Name The name Immanuel (im-ma-nu-AIL) first appears in Isaiah 7:14 as part of a prophetic word that Isaiah spoke to King Ahaz of Judah (the southern kingdom) at a time when Aram and Israel (the northern kingdom) had formed a coalition against Assyria. The prophet Isaiah counseled Ahaz not to join in their uprising against Assyria, he urged Ahaz to trust in the Lord. Then the prophet invited Ahaz to ask the Lord for a sign to confirm the prophetic word, but the king refused. In response to Ahaz's refusal to trust God, Isaiah proclaimed: "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and give birth to a Son, and will call Him Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14 NIV Matthew's gospel recalls Isaiah's prophecy, applying it to the child who would soon be born to Mary (Matthew 1:22–23). The sign given hundreds of years earlier was meant for all God's people. In fact, the Bible is nothing if not the story of God's persistent desire to dwell with His people. In Jesus, God succeeded in a unique way, becoming a man in order to save the world not from the outside, but from the inside. Immanuel, God with us, to rescue, redeem, and restore our relationship with Him. |
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Jesus is still Immanuel — He is still "God with us." |
Jesus is still Immanuel — He is still "God with us." |
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Connecting to the Name - What does this title of Jesus reveal about His nature?
- How have you experienced Immanuel — God being with you in your life thus far? See if you can recall a specific time in your life when God seemed especially near or think about all the small signs of his presence in your life.
- When have you struggled to believe that God is living up to His name? That he truly is with you?
- Matthew begins and ends his gospel (see Matthew 28:20) with the promise that God is with us. How would your life be different if you began and ended each day with the firm belief that God is with you?
- Jesus said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (see Hebrews 13:5). How should this truth affect your perspective, especially in difficult times?
- Describe times in your life when you have not been with God. How might this have affected your experience of Immanuel?
Praying a Passage with God's Name Thank God for His persistence in pursuing you. Ask Him to increase your confidence in His desire to be with you. Focus on the meaning of the name Immanuel, God with us, as you read Psalm 139:7–10. 7 Where can I go to get away from Your Ruach? Where can I run to get away from You? 8 If I go up to Heaven, You are there. If I make my bed in hell, You are there. 9 If I climb upward on the rays of the morning sun or land on the most distant shore of the sea where the sun sets, 10 even there Your hand would guide me and Your right hand would hold on to me. Praying the Name Immanuel for Myself Look up and read: John 15:9–12 How can you remain one with Immanuel? In His conversation with His disciples just before His death, Jesus assures them that obedience allows them to live in His love. Ask God to lead you into deeper obedience. Promises from Immanuel 11 But Moses said to Elohim, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the people of Israel out of Egypt?" 12 Elohim answered, "I will be with you. And this will be the proof that I sent you: When you bring the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship Elohim on this mountain." — Exodus 3:11–12 20 Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. "And remember that I am always with you until the end of time." — Matthew 28:20 For Deeper Study Read the following passages, considering the name IMMANUEL and how its meaning relates to the context of the passage. Genesis 28:15, Exodus 3:11–12, Joshua 1:5–9, Isaiah 8:10, Matthew 28:20, John 14:15–21, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Hebrews 13:5–6 |
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Jesus came to be with us! That's why He is called Immanuel. Let's obey and worship Him today! ~ Devotionals Daily |
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Names in the ancient world did more than simply distinguish one person from another. They often conveyed the essential nature and character of a person. This is especially true when it comes to the names and titles of God recorded in the Bible. Based on Praying the Names of God and Praying the Names of Jesus, two bestselling books by Ann Spangler, this unique Bible study helps you explore the most important of God's names and titles as they are revealed in the Bible. It also teaches you how to pray with specific focus on each of the names of God. |
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Each week's study includes: - The name in English as well as in its original language, plus a brief explanation of its meaning.
- A key passage, from The Names of God Bible, in which the name is revealed. This translation places the Hebrew name of God directly into the English text, which will allow you to recognize each name as you compare the passage to your preferred Bible translation.
- Context to help you understand the name.
- Questions for personal reflection.
- Guidance to help you pray the name of God for that week.
- Space to write your own prayers containing God's name.
This 52-week study on the names and titles of God will help you experience him in fresh and deeper ways, revealing many surprising connections between the Old and New Testaments. As you explore his names, you will come face-to-face with the God of Scripture—a God who is both the greatest of all Kings and the most loving of all Fathers. A God enthroned on high who bends low so that we can come to know him. |
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What our readers are saying |
"I love this book! It's rich in content painting biblical history. Each week is concise and full of great content." — Trenna C. |
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"Great study! This keeps me plugged into God's word and helps me to contemplate His mighty name on a weekly basis. Highly recommend!" — Julie |
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Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith |
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What would it be like to journey back to the first century and sit at the feet of Rabbi Jesus as one of his Jewish disciples? Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus takes you on an in-depth tour of the Jewish world of Jesus, offering inspirational insights that will transform your faith. Spangler and Tverberg paint powerful scenes from Jesus' ministry, immersing you in the prayers, feasts, history, culture, and customs that shaped Jesus and those who followed him. Within the pages of Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus, you'll: - Hear the parables as they must have sounded to first-century Jews
- See the events of Jesus' life in a brand new light
- Experience new excitement about the roots of your Christian faith
- Learn how the customs, beliefs, and traditions of the Jewish culture can shift the way you view the gospel
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The GREAT Morning Revolution Online Bible Study |
The GREAT Morning Revolution Online Bible Study |
Change your entire day by how you start your morning. In The Great Morning Revolution with Tara Beth Leach, you'll go from scattered to spiritually centered—before the day begins. Using the GREAT framework—Gratitude, Reflect, Exalt, Ask, Trust—you'll build a gentle, flexible morning practice to deepen your relationship with God Join The Great Morning Revolution Online Bible Study and get access to six teaching videos and other helpful tools—all FREE when you sign up! |
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