Scripture Reading: Isaiah 7:13-17, Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 28:19-20, John 1:10-18, Revelation 21:3
In this reading plan, we are learning more about God by studying the names given to Him in Scripture. Each day, you’ll come here to read the description of the name we’re studying today and a brief explanation of how God’s character is seen through His name. (Remember that because the Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek, some of God’s names are written in the English form of His name from their original language.) You can then head to today’s passages to see how this name functions in Scripture.
IMMANUEL: God’s nearness to and presence with His people
The name Immanuel, or “God is with us,” appears in the book of Isaiah in key prophecies predicting the coming of the Messiah. The name carries a sense of nearness, including intimate knowledge of the needs, struggles, and hopes of humanity. When Isaiah prophesied about the virgin birth, he said that her child would be called Immanuel. This is not a proper name as much as it is a description of what the Messiah would be like.
In Matthew, an angel told Joseph to name the child “Jesus,” because “He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). This name describes what Immanuel would do. Together, the names Immanuel and Jesus remind us that God saves His people and is close to them.
