APR 13

Matthew 1:18-25
Memorise Isaiah 7:14
“…behold, a virgin shall conceive… and shall call his name Immanuel.”

From Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:22-23 we see once again how the New Testament is concealed in the Old Testament and how the Old Testament is revealed in the New Testament. It is clear from the simple reading of the two verses that the prophecy of a virgin birth in Isaiah 7:14 was perfectly and entirely fulfilled by Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:22-23. As we understand both verses literally and with faith, we would realise some wonderful truths about the Bible.

Firstly, that the Bible has a perfect track record when it comes to foretelling future events. Isaiah 7:14 (written between 701 and 681 B.C.) foretold the virgin birth of Christ some 700 years before it actually happened. Secondly, the Bible verifies its other verses to be true simply because there is no contradiction with itself anywhere within its pages. What is left for the interpreter to do is to use those better understood verses to interpret those that are less clear.

Thirdly, the Bible can be interpreted literally. Though many details were not given in Isaiah 7:14 regarding the birth of Christ, these details were later revealed to us in the New Testament in passages such as Matthew 1:18-25. We can be convinced from the New Testament account that Mary was indeed a virgin, conceived of the Holy Spirit and gave birth to Jesus even before she and Joseph had consummated their marriage because the New Testament plainly said so. This proves Isaiah 7:14 to be absolutely correct and hence fulfils it to the letter.

“Wooden literalism” is another form of literal interpretation which is incorrect. This form of interpretation is rigid and mechanical, not taking into account things such as allegories, metaphors, parables and similes. Application of this form of interpretation would result in a bizarre and meaningless account of the superpowers of the world in sequential order in Daniel 7 and the end-time events described in Revelation 17. Biblical literalism, however, would give these prophetic accounts a more logical interpretation.

Thought: It is the Holy Spirit who will help me hear and not just listen; see and not just look.
Prayer: Lord, I pray that Thou will give me the wisdom to know not just Thy written Word but also Thy living Word.