Maybe Isaiah Chapter 7 isn't even talking about the Messiah?

  • A number of items show that Isaiah here is prophetically referring to the Mashiach/Messiah
  • In much of the bible "prophetic" items have both a near and a far term fullfillment
  • Isaiah written around 732BC - time of King Ahaz. The prophecy was stating that by the time the child is mature both enemies of Israel would be gone - See 2 Kings 15:29-30 and 2 Kings 16:9
  • It is true the near-term referred to Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz as per above
  • However this does not stop it from also having a more longer term prophetic meaning as well
  • While some Jewish scholars have seen this being fulfilled by rulers like Hezekiah, others look at as Messianic
  • The name "Immanuel" means in fact "God With Us"
  • Chapter 7 continues on into chapters 8 and 9 which is clearly Messianic
  • Bible clearly states that this "son" will:
    Have the government on His shoulders, Increase peace, No end, Upon the throne of David and his Kingdom, Establish Judgement and Justice, Forever.
    This can only refer to the Messiah.
  • There are extra-biblical proofs that Jewish scholars looked at this as Messianic as well such as these Midrashim below:

Rabbi Samuel, the son of Nachman, said, 'When Esau met Jacob he said unto him, "My brother Jacob, let us walk together in this world. Jacob replied: Let my Lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant" (Genesis 33:14) What is the meaning of, "I pray thee, pass over?" Jacob said to him; I have yet to supply the Messiah, of whom it is said: "Unto us a child is born"

Midrash (Deuteronomy 2;4)

R. Yose the Galilean said: "The name of the Messiah is Peace, for it is said, Everlasting Father, Prince Peace" (Midrash Pereq Shalom, p. 101);
"The Messiah is called by eight names: Yinnon[see Psalm 72:17], Tzemach [e.g. Jer. 23:5]; Pele' [Wonderful, Isa. 9:6(5)], Yo'etz[Counselor, Isa. 9:6(5)], Mashiach [Messiah], El[God, Isa. 9:6(5), Gibbor[Hero. 9:6(5) and Avi Ad Shalom [Eternal Father of Peace, Isa. 9:6(5);

Deuteronomy Rabbah 1:20

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.

15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.

Isaiah 7:14-15

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 9:6-7