Isaiah 7 - 11

A Virgin Shall Conceive

In the midst of dreadful prophecies about the fate of Israel and Judah and the vengeful destruction of Assyria, there are several interspersed prophecies concerning the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Even the names of Isaiah children are indicative of the destruction and dispersement of Israel and ultimately its restoration.

Isaiah's older son is named Shear-jashub and means "a remnant will return."  However because of the wickedness of Israel and Judah, the Lord had Isaiah father another son and name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz which means "swift to plunder and quick to carry away."  Both of these names were symbolic of the dispersement and destruction because of sin and the restoration because of the promised Messiah.

The first Messianic prophecy is in 7:14-16, "Behold a virgin shall conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel, which means God with us. ..."  The next prophecy is in 9:6-7, "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. ..."

The names are notable: Wonderful Counselor - indicating the joy of His wisdom and leadership. Mighty God - showing the power of His kingship and rule. Everlasting Father - demonstrating the continuity and eternal presence of His care for us.  Prince of Peace - displaying the environment of His reign.

The third Messianic prophecy is in 11:1-5, with 6 to the end of the chapter talking about the millennium. "Out of the stump of David's family will grow a shoot- yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root."  Verse 3 lists four spirits that will reside on this "new Branch:"  the Spirit of the Lord; the Spirit of wisdom and understanding; the Spirit of counsel and might; and the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord.