Immanuel — The God Who Draws Near to His People
Not Just a Name
It’s Christmastime, which prompts God’s people to revisit the theological theme of God dwelling with his people.
Matthew 1:23 See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name Him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.”
Immanuel (rather than Emmanuel) is a transliteration of the original Hebrew word (עִמָּנוּ אֵל) that Matthew is referencing from Isaiah 7:14.
Immanuel is composed of “Immanu” (with us) and El (God).
God’s presence with his people is a defining characteristic that is unique and not seen among other religions. Prophesied in the old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament, God’s presence is the difference between a distant God a personal God.
Matthew 1:23 says that “they will name Him Immanuel…” Interestingly, Joseph and Mary don’t name their child Emmanuel, but rather he is named Jesus.
Look back a few verse in Matthew:
Matthew 1:21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
Looking at the context, we notice something about Matthew 1:23. “They” refers to us, his people…those who are saved from their sins because of Jesus — “They [God’s people] shall call his name Immanuel”
The idea of God’s presence with his people is all over the bible. If you were to read the bible with a “God-is-with-us” lens, you’d see it everywhere. The Old Testament is filled with theophanies (the manifestation of God in an observable form). God speaks directly, appears in various forms, and guides and directs his people for thousands of years before the birth of Jesus. Look for the Immanuel concept as you read through the bible.
Psalm 141 — O Lord, come quickly to me
Have you ever needed help desperately and a good friend or family member came quickly to your aid? There’s nothing better than people on whom you can depend to help you even at their own expense. When Job was suffering, 3 of his friends spent time with him, even waiting a week before offering advice! There’s really nothing like good friends and family.
Throughout our lives, we undoubtedly will meet lots of people. Probably only a few of them will become the kinds of friends who would come quickly to help us. The rest of them remain as acquaintances and many fade into the background of life.
Is God like a close friend or a distant acquaintance?
Do you tend to think of God as far off and distant, or as Immanuel — God with you?
We can sometimes view the bible as history and stories that merely took place in another time. We see God speaking directly to Abraham and think, if only he would speak to me like he spoke to Abraham. God spoke directly to Abraham at least eight times over a period of 100(ish) years (Genesis 12:1–3; 12:7; 13:14–17; 15:1–21; 17:1–22; 18:1–33; 21:12–13; 22:1–18). And yes, it’s tempting to ask, “Why doesn’t God talk to me like he did to Abraham?” Consider this: These conversations took place over a long period of time with decades of silence in between some of them. Generally, the conversations were not about the things we wish to hear from God. Abraham had no control over when they took place or what they were about. Contrast that with the modern Christian, who has the entire bible and the Holy Spirit as a constant guide. Furthermore, we can pray whenever we want.
Which leads us to Psalm 141
Ps. 141:-2
LORD, I call on You; hurry to help me.
Listen to my voice when I call on You
The psalmist issued an urgent call for God to hear and answer his request. Literally, the first line could be translated as: O LORD, I cry out to you; come quickly to me.
Like that good friend/family member, the psalmist calls on God to “come quickly.” Pause for a moment and and put this verse in context of the Old Testament. This prayer took place before the birth of Jesus (Immanuel). The presence of God was highly controlled and dictated by God. Yet, the prayer here is for God to make haste and come quickly.
He’s always been Immanuel, but in the busyness of our lives we forget that God, our Creator and Redeemer, is not a distant acquaintance. He’s ready to hear our prayers and come to our aid. If the psalmist could pray this, how much more can the Christian pray this prayer!
The point of the nativity is not for Jesus to come and accomplish some tasks and then leave — the point is to establish God’s presence among his people, forever. Sometimes we can feel as if God were far away, and sometimes he is because our iniquities do separate us from him. The ultimate separation from God is death (spiritual), but God’s presence is life-giving. Jesus defeated death and this this psalm stands as an invitation to pray that God would come to our rescue. When God draws near to his people, he brings life. The final judgment against death was absorbed by Jesus so that his people could embrace the concept of Immanuel.
May God be near to you this Christmas and forever!
