Who Was Immanuel?

       There is an apparent discrepancy in the Scriptures concerning the name of the Messiah.  In Isaiah 7:14, the prophet said that his name was to be Immanuel (Emmanuel in the Greek text).  But in the birth announcements of Matthew and Luke, the name given was Jesus.  Jesus we know, but who was this Immanuel? 

     To understand, you must be aware of what the names mean and what the original audience understood about each one.  The name Immanuel means “God with us.”  Since the time of the Exodus, God was revealing Himself to His people as a God that wanted a close relationship with His people.  He wanted to be with them and to fellowship with them, to protect them from harm, to bless them with material and spiritual blessings, to be their guide and their loving parent.  He taught His people that if they continued with Him, He would never leave, forsake, or fail them.  The name Immanuel in Isaiah 7:14 is the code name that God used to remind them of His constant presence and ultimate deliverance from sin which would bring them back into fellowship with Him.

     Jesus was the fulfillment of this code name Immanuel.  Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua which means “Yahweh (God) saves.”  John begins his gospel by identifying Jesus as God in the flesh - with His people.  Jesus’ death on the cross was designed to show God’s commitment in creating for Himself a nation of holy people to fellowship with and care for.  He was the final fulfillment of every promise God made  (see 2 Cor. 1:20). 

     Who, then, is Immanuel? 

     He is God living with His people (Ephesians 1:13, 14). 

     And who is Jesus?  He is the God who came to earth to save His people from their sins. The same One who is now waiting for the proper time to come again and escort redeemed souls home to heaven. 

     They’re both the same loving God; just two different roles, thus two different names.

     Thank you Lord God, Immanuel, Jesus, for such an “indescribable gift” (2 Cor. 9:15).

Doug