Fulfilment of Prophesy - number 5

Prophesy (around 750 - 700 BC):

Isaiah 7:14; "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

Notes:

• "Behold" is used to call attention to the unusual birth which is about to be announced;
• A "virgin" is better read "the virgin"; the Hebrew indicates that a specific woman is in view here;
• "Shall conceive" is more accurately translated as "pregnant"; Isaiah therefore 'sees' a pregnant virgin about to bear a son; explains the virgin birth of Christ when the virgin is pregnant and still a virgin;
• "Immanuel" is a symbolic name meaning "God is with us"; He is the incarnate (made flesh) Son of God who is further pictured as the Child Prince in Isaiah 9:6  - see blog post 'Fulfillment of Prophesy Number 3'.

Fulfillment:

Matthew 1:18; "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was with child of the Holy Ghost."

Notes:

• "Espoused" means that Mary was already bound/betrothed to Joseph, although they were not yet actually married;
• Among the Jews, marriage vows were said at betrothal and required a legal divorce to end them;
• The custom of the day usually required an interval of one year of betrothal before the bride could actually take up residence in her husband's house and consummate their union;
• During this period Mary "was found to be with child";
• Mary's pregnancy naturally would have been assumed to be the result of an illegitimate union of adultery, a circumstance punishable by death;
• "With Child of the Holy Ghost" is the biblical explanation for the miraculous conception of Christ.