A contemplative reading for Advent.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
ISAIAH 7:14 ESV
The prophet Isaiah spoke these words as a promise that God would provide an heir to King Ahaz to protect Jerusalem from foreign armies. Centuries later, Matthew references Isaiah's words as the foreshadowing of the miraculous conception and divine incarnation of Jesus, who finally truly fulfilled the title of Immanuel—Hebrew for “God-With-Us”.
READ & RECITE
Read the full passage in Isaiah 7
Read Isaiah 7:14 a second time, but aloud and slowly, allowing each word to sink in.
OBSERVE
Take a few moments and pay special attention to the key passage and accompanying image.
Look up the key passage in at least two different translations, then write the passage in your own words.
CONNECT
Look up the related passages provided and read each one. Notice and write down the words, phrases or ideas that connect to today's image and key verse.
REFLECT
What new questions did this study bring up for you?
How does today’s reading resonate with your life? Your relationship with Jesus?
This study is based on a card from Behold: The Newborn King. Learn more about Behold Trading Cards, start collecting, and dive deeper through word studies and verse mapping on each card. Now available at fishcoin.press/behold