Was Matt 12 fulfilled?

Mat 12:15  But יהושע, knowing it, withdrew from there. And large crowds followed Him, and He healed them all,
Mat 12:16  and warned them not to make Him known,
Mat 12:17  in order that what was spoken by Yeshayahu the prophet, might be filled, saying,
Mat 12:18  “See, My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My being did delight. I shall put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall declare right-ruling to the nations.
Mat 12:19  “He shall not strive nor cry out, nor shall anyone hear His voice in the streets.
Mat 12:20  “A crushed reed He shall not break, and smoking flax He shall not quench, till He brings forth right-ruling forever.1 Footnote: 1This is according to the Shem-Tob Hebrew text. However, this passage is a quote from Isa. 42:1-3 where it reads right-ruling unto truth.

Isa 42:1  “See, My Servant whom I uphold, My Chosen One My being has delighted in! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He brings forth right-ruling to the nations. 

Isa 42:2  “He does not cry out, nor lifts up His voice, nor causes His voice to be heard in the street. 

Isa 42:3  “A crushed reed He does not break, and smoking flax He does not quench. He brings forth right-ruling in accordance with truth. 

Isa 42:4  “He does not become weak or crushed, until He has established right-ruling in the earth. And the coastlands wait for His Torah.” 

Isa 42:5  Thus said the Ěl, יהוה, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk on it: 

Isa 42:6  “I am the Lord; I called you with righteousness and I will strengthen your hand; and I formed you, and I made you for a people's covenant, for a light to the nations.

Once again we are up against the context that is in Isaiah.  Is Isaiah speaking about a suffering servant, as in an individual?  Or, is the context referring to the first born, Israel as being the suffering servant?  The entire context from Isaiah 41 through to Isaiah 54 is extremely important in answering the above question.  

Isa 41:8  “But you, Yisra’ĕl, are My servant, Yaʽaqoḇ, whom I have chosen, the descendants of Aḇraham My friend, 

Isa 41:9  whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest parts, and said to You, ‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 

Isa 43:10  “You are My witnesses,” declares יהוה, “And My servant whom I have chosen, so that you know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no Ěl formed, nor after Me there is none. 

Isa 43:11  “I, I am יהוה, and besides Me there is no saviour. 

Isa 43:12  “I, I have declared and saved, and made known, and there was no foreign mighty one among you. And you are My witnesses,” declares יהוה, “that I am Ěl. 

Isa 44:1  “But now hear, O Yaʽaqoḇ My servant, and Yisra’ĕl whom I have chosen. 

Isa 44:2  Thus said יהוה who made you and formed you from the womb, who helps you, ‘Do not fear, O Yaʽaqoḇ My servant, and Yeshurun1, whom I have chosen. Footnote: 1A poetical title for Yisra’ĕl, meaning the Straight One or the Upright One. This poetical title is also found in Dt. 32:15, 33:5 & 33:26. 

Isa 44:3  ‘For I pour water on the thirsty, and floods on the dry ground. I pour My Spirit on your seed, and My blessing on your offspring, 

Isa 44:4  and they shall spring up among the grass like willows by streams of water.’ 

Isa 44:5  “One says, ‘I belong to יהוה; another calls himself by the name of Yaʽaqoḇ; another writes with his hand, ‘Unto יהוה,’ and names himself by the name of Yisra’ĕl.

Isa 44:21  “Remember these matters, O Yaʽaqoḇ, and Yisra’ĕl, for you are My servant! I have formed you, you are My servant, O Yisra’ĕl, do not forget Me! 

Isa 45:4  ‘For the sake of Yaʽaqoḇ My servant, and of Yisra’ĕl My chosen, I also call you by your name, I give you a title, though you have not known Me. 

There are many more chapters and verses that clearly tell us who the suffering servant is.  This will suffice for now.  However, another question.  When is right ruling supposed to be given to all the nations?   

Did JC deliver right ruling to all the nations?  If not then this passage of Is. has not been fulfilled.

What is to happen in the future concerning the nations?  

1.  The term from v. 6 a light to the nations, is one that is unique to the book of Isaiah.  According to the prophets the Jewish people hold a unique position among the nations.  They have been given the special assignment of being mentors to the rest of the world.  They are to give spiritual and moral guidance.  When HaShem brings the people back to the land He has promised, then the rest of the world will have their eyes opened and look to the people of Israel.  It is only then the rest of the world will see and recognize the unique role of the Jewish people (Is. 42,  49, and 60).  That which the Jewish people proclaim in their Shema (Deut 6), will one day be recognized by the entire world. 

Zec 14:9  And יהוה shall be Sovereign over all the earth1. In that day there shall be one יהוה, and His Name one. Footnote: 1Isa. 24:23, Dan. 2:44,

Zec 8:23  “Thus said יהוה of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from all languages of the nations take hold, yea, they shall take hold of the edge of the garment of a man, a Yehuḏite1, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that Elohim is with you.”

Jer 16:19  O יהוה, my strength and my stronghold and my refuge, in the day of distress the gentiles shall come to You from the ends of the earth and say, “Our fathers have inherited only falsehood, futility, and there is no value in them.”1 Footnote: 1See Ps. 147:19, Isa. 2:3, Isa. 60:2-3

Context speaks loudly when dealing with Isaiah 53

Mat 8:16  And when evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,
Mat 8:17  that it might be filled what was spoken by Yeshayahu the prophet, saying, “He Himself took our weaknesses and bore our sicknesses.”

Isa 53:4  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

The context of Isaiah 53: does not support the premise that this refers to a messiah.  This chapter is not messianic at all.  The church has not done its homework here.  The church rips this chapter of Isaiah completely out of it's context in order to promote the idea that Jesus was and is the Messiah.

There are other things that are also taken out of this chapter in order to promote the church's idea of messiah and we will get to those when we tackle the other fulfillment texts.  So first let us take a look at the whole context of Isaiah 53.  In order to do that we must go back several chapters.

It is important to remember when Isaiah wrote his book there were no chapter and verse designations.

CONTEXT:
The main question is that of who is the suffering servant that Isaiah is referring to?

We are able to see from the context that Isaiah is referring to Israel as the suffering servant.

At the beginning of the chapter the ones who are speaking are the nations leaders.

Isa 52:15  So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. Isa 53:1  Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

The immediate context of Isaiah 53 starts in 52:12  Isa 52:12  For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.  This is clearly talking about the children of Israel.  Just following our chapter is this:  Isa 54:1  Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD. 

this verse too is accepted to be talking about Israel.

There are 4 servant songs in the broader context of Isaiah 53

Isa 41:8  But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. 

Isa 41:9  Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. 

Isa 44:1  Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: 

Isa 44:21  Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. 

So

Isa 48:20  Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob. 

Isa 49:3  And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. 

Why if in the broader context Isaiah is always referring to Israel as the suffering servant would he suddenly change in chapter 53 and say that it is now the messiah?

If chapter 53 is not the messiah but Israel, how are we to understand verses 4-5?

We must understand that the Hebrew in Isaiah 52 and 53 was tampered with by the translators in order to push ahead their point.  In chapter 52:4-5 the singular references to Israel were changed into the plural.  In chapter 53 the plural references to Israel were changed to singular.  If you do not read Hebrew, the original language find someone who does and ask that these be translated for you.  To mistranslate this passage would lead one to false conclusions.  Here in verses 4 and 5 the words ובחברתו נרפא־לנו׃  have been translated to say:  "with his wounds we are healed".  This is in the present tense.  Correctly translated we find that they should read "we were healed"  The nations, in astonishment are speaking of the suffering that Israel has already endured.  Being in the past tense this could not possibly be speaking of Jesus in the New Testament.  When Isaiah is speaking about the Children of Israel he is not speaking concerning a singular person or coming messiah who has already taken and born the chastisement of the nations.  Rather it was Israel who has born this and the leaders of the nations are waking up to realize they have been mislead all along.

Verb tenses carry meaning.

Mat 4:13  And leaving Natsareth, He came and dwelt in Kephar Naḥum, which is by the sea, in the borders of Zeḇulun and Naphtali,
Mat 4:14  to fill what was spoken by Yeshayahu the prophet, saying,
Mat 4:15  “Land of Zeḇulun and land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Yardĕn, Galil of the gentiles –
Mat 4:16  the people who sat in darkness saw a great light, and upon those who sat in the land and shadow of death, light arose to them.”1 Footnote: 1Isa. 9:1-2.

New American Standard.
9:2-4  The people who WALK in darkness WILL SEE a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light WILL shine on them.  Thou SHALT multiply the nation, thou SHALT increase their gladness; they WILL be glad in Thy presence as with the gladness of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.  For Thou SHALT break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, AS AT THE BATTLE OF MIDIAN.

The Jewish Translation.
The people who WALKED in darkness, HAVE SEEN a great light; those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death, light HAS shone upon them.  You HAVE aggrandized this nation; you HAVE magnified the joy for them; they HAVE rejoiced over You like the joy of the harvest, as they rejoice when they divide spoils.  For the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of the one who oppressed him HAVE You broken, AS ON THE DAY OF MIDIAN.


The 9th chapter of Isaiah concerns a past event in the life of King Hezekiah.  This event can be found in 2 Kings 19:15.  The verb tenses in this chapter are all past tense.  Some modern day translations change the verb tense to that of being future tense to allow for a futuristic messiah.  Isaiah
 here was recounting the miraculous salvation by the Hand of G-d in taking away the imminent destruction of Jerusalem, at the hands of the Assyrian empire.  The 10 Northern tribes had already succumbed to Assyria and had been taken away.
   Hezekiah had gone to the temple to pray and seek Hashem for the salvation of his people.  It was only through divine intervention that Jerusalem and Hashem's people could be saved.  This passage has nothing to do with a future messiah.  The verb tense does not support a future event that Matthew claims is fulfilled.

Something to think about.
What makes it right to change verb tenses from what the original says to something that it does not say?  Is this not tampering with the very Word of Hashem?  Could this practice not lead people to make wrong conclusions and then perhaps lead them astray.  Could this practice even lead to false doctrines and teachings?  I think we need to be very careful and search and seek truth.  Perhaps those who translated the original Hebrew had purposes that were not altogether wholesome.

Until next time.  thank you for visiting and please continue to seek truth.

The Prophets Said What?

Mat 2:23  and came and dwelt in a city called Natsareth – thus to fill what was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Natsarene.”

For this segment of the fulfilled passages I would like you to do some of the looking for yourself.  Call yourself a Scripture detective. 

Start perhaps with a concordance and find where in the entire Old Testament the word Nazareth occurs.  From there you can narrow down your search to the books of the prophets as Matthew has already declared for us that it was spoken by the prophets.  While you are looking for this particular passage I have downloaded some music for your enjoyment.

Well I hope I have given you plenty of time for your search.  If your search was like mine you will come up with absolutely nothing.  The prophets have said nothing at all that sounds like what Matthew is trying to tell you. and notice Matthew has said prophets plural and not singular.

Out of Egypt

Before we take a look at Matt. 2:14,15 let's back up and do a little review.

First, why am I taking the time to post all of these "fulfillment" prophecies and everything that will follow?  I am doing all of this in answer to anyone who whould ask me "why have you chosen to reject the New Testament and its savior"?

If a person would look at everything with a magnifying glass and without their emotions I would say most if not all would say the New Testament does not align itself with what is written in the Old.  In my Honors Old Testament class, my freshman year of college, my professor told all 10 of us who made that class, the whole of the Scriptures is founded upon the Torah, the first 5 books of the Old Testament.  Every single doctrine can be found there.  So, that being said, if there is anything that does not add up and does not align with the Torah, a:  it is being taken out of context, b:  our understanding is wrong and must be changed to align or I will add a third item, c:  what has been written is false.

Let's review.
1.  the Hebrew word is not virgin, but young maiden or woman.  In this case the Hebrew is specific, it is the young woman which is here.  The prophecy has a fulfillment within a certain time frame.  One that is very short, not many years in the future.

2.   The prophecy in Micah was changed in Matthew to try and make it fit.  This is tampering with the Word of Hashem, it is changing it by taking away from it or adding to it.

3.  Jeremiah 31, has nothing to do with babies being killed, this verse was ripped out of its context.  The context of Jeremiah 31 has to do with the reuniting of the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel.

Now let us consider Matt 2:14, 15 and the prophecy in Hosea 11:

Mat 2:14  And rising up, he took the Child and His mother by night and departed for Mitsrayim,
Mat 2:15  and remained there until the death of Herodes, to fill what was spoken by יהוה through the prophet, saying, “Out of Mitsrayim I have called My Son.”1 Footnote:1Ex. 4:22-23, Hos. 11:1, Rev. 21:7


Matthew is claiming that this child born of Mary is the first born son of god.  So, is this supported by the Old Testament?  Is there someone else who  Hashem says is His first born?

Hos 11:1  “When Yisra’ĕl was a child, I loved him, and out of Mitsrayim I called My son.
Hos 11:2  “They called to them, so they went from their face. They slaughtered to the Baʽals, and burned incense to carved images.
Hos 11:3  “And I taught Ephrayim to walk, taking them by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them.
Hos 11:4  “I drew them with ropes of man, with cords of love, and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. And I bent down, fed them.
Hos 11:5  “No, let him return to the land of Mitsrayim, and let Ashshur be his sovereign, because they refused to repent!
Hos 11:6  “And the sword shall whirl in his cities, and it shall demolish his gate bars, and consume, because of their own counsels.
Hos 11:7  “My people are bent towards backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He lifts none of them up.
Hos 11:8  “How could I give you up, Ephrayim? How could I hand you over, Yisra’ĕl? How could I make you like Aḏmah? How could I set you like Tseḇoyim? My heart turns within Me, all My compassion is kindled.

Hosea is referring to Ephraim, or the 10 northern tribes of Israel.  Where does Hosea get his information from?  

Exo 4:19  And יהוה said to Mosheh in Miḏyan, “Go, return to Mitsrayim, for all the men are dead who sought your life.”
Exo 4:20  So Mosheh took his wife and his sons and set them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Mitsrayim. And Mosheh took the rod of Elohim in his hand.
Exo 4:21  And יהוה said to Mosheh, “As you go back to Mitsrayim, see that you do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in your hand. But I am going to harden his heart, so that he does not let the people go.
Exo 4:22  “And you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus said יהוה, “Yisra’ĕl is My son, My first-born,
Exo 4:23  so I say to you, let My son go to serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, see, I am killing your son, your first-born.” ’ ”

It is very clear from the Scripture, Israel is the first born son of Hashem, not a single man that the New Testament is based upon.  There are also other reasons that this man cannot be the Messiah or anointed one and those reasons will come with time after I have gone through the fulfillment texts in Matt.  Or if you would like to do some homework on your own.  Look at the genealogies in Matt. do a comparison study.  1.  there are two kings in Israel's past who the anointed one must absolutely come from.  Who are they?  Do the lines given in Matt and Luke follow these two men's line?  Also there is one part of the line which Hashem cursed and said, anyone from these men will never sit on the throne of the kingdom.  Who were they and are they in the lines mentioned in Matt and Luke.  If I have wetted your appetite, don't wait on me to fill in your blanks, do the research.  Until next time.  Study and open your eyes to the truth. Do not let emotions dictate what you chose to believe.

Rachel Weeping For Her Children

Mat 2:16  Then Herodes, having seen that he was fooled by the Magi, was greatly enraged, and he sent forth and slew all the male children in Bĕyth Leḥem and in all its borders, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had exactly learnt from the Magi. 

Mat 2:17  Then was filled what was spoken by Yirmeyahu the prophet, saying, 

Mat 2:18  “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and weeping, and great mourning – Raḥĕl weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they were no more.” 

Matthew uses the quote from Jeremiah 31:15 to support his view that this was fulfilled when JC was born and Herod sent soldiers to slay all male children two years and younger.  My question is this.  Does the context of Jeremiah 31 support the use that Matthew puts it to?  

Jer 31:12  “And they shall come in and shall sing on the height of Tsiyon, and stream to the goodness of יהוה, for grain and for new wine and for oil, and for the young of the flock and the herd. And their being shall be like a well-watered garden, and never languish again. 

Jer 31:13  “Then shall a maiden rejoice in a dance, and young men and old, together. And I shall turn their mourning to joy, and shall comfort them, and shall make them rejoice from their sorrow, 

Jer 31:14  and shall fill the being of the priests with fatness. And My people shall be satisfied with My goodness,” declares יהוה. 

Jer 31:15  Thus said יהוה, “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing, bitter weeping, Raḥĕl weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” 

Jer 31:16  Thus said יהוה, “Hold back your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your work,” declares יהוה, “and they shall return from the land of the enemy. 

Jer 31:17  “And there is expectancy for your latter end,” declares יהוה, “and your children shall return to their own country. 

This passage that Matthew quotes is in the middle of a chapter which is talking about the establishing of the New Covenant.  These particular verses speak of bringing back the scattered tribes of Ephraim. or the northern 10 tribes.  Rachel was weeping because her children were scattered.  She is told to stop her weeping as Hashem will be bringing them back.  In Matthew, there is not a chance of the children coming back.  So, is this an accurate use of Jeremiah 31:15?  Have the 12 tribes been re-united?

What outside sources declare the order and the carrying out of the mass killing of the babies as ordered by Herod?  There are none.  Matthew is the only source which states this event.

Next time we shall look at "out of Mitsraim or Egypt"

Fulfillment text number 2

OK, These verses in the Torah, the first 5 books of the Bible, become extremely important when we consider the next fulfillment passage that is in the book of Matthew.  This is one reason in which the Jewish people choose to disregard the Christian's New Testament.

Deu 4:2  “Do not add to the Word which I command you, and do not take away from it, so as to guard the commands of יהוה your Elohim which I am commanding you.
Deu 12:32  “All the words I am commanding you, guard to do it – do not add to it nor take away from it

Let us begin by looking at Matthew.
Mat 2:5  "In Bethlehem of Judea," they said, "for it is written this way by the prophet:
Mat 2:6  'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are in no way least among the rulers of Judah,
for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.' "

This is supposed to be a quote from the Hebrew prophet Micah.
Mic 5:2  “But you, Bĕyth Leḥem Ephrathah, you who are little among the clans of Yehuḏah, out of you shall come forth to Me the One to become Ruler in Yisra’ĕl. And His comings forth1 are of old, from everlasting.” Footnote: 1Or His appearances.

We will look at this phrase by phrase.
1.  'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are in no way least among the rulers of Judah
1.  “But you, Bĕyth Leḥem Ephrathah, you who are little among the clans of Yehuḏah

2.  for out of you will come a ruler

2.  out of you shall come forth to Me the One to become Ruler in Yisra’ĕl.

Ok, so far so good,  now look at the last section.

3.  who will shepherd my people Israel.' "

3.  And His comings forth are of old, from everlasting.”

Matt changes the last section to give it an appearance of talking about the Messiah.  He totally changes what Micah is saying by taking out and adding something completely different.

Matt says "who will shepherd my people Israel."  Micah says that "his comings forth are of old..."

Matthew is saying that Micah is talking about a messiah coming out of Bethlehem.  Micah on the other hand was describing a city of old.  Micah is writing about 300 years after King David

Who has the right to change the Word of Hashem to make it say something completely different than the original writer.  

 His origins "is from old, from the ancient days" is a modifier.  It modifies Bethlehem of Judea.

Questions to ask concerning the text of Matthew.

1.  All Jerusalem was troubled at the coming of the magi.  What extra biblical sources are there that would document something of this magnitude?

2.  What extra biblical sources document the killing of the babies?

3.  Does the writer try making his text conform to the life of Moses for a special reason?

4.  Why, if the scribes and priests knew where the messiah was to be born, did they not go and worship him as well?

5.  Why does Matthew always say it is the gentiles who recognize the Jewish messiah over the Jewish people themselves who have been studying the Scriptures for centuries?

A.  There are no outside sources that bring support to Matthew's claims.  Not Jewish, Roman or other.

B.  Archealogy History does not back up the account that Matthew gives.  Quirinius, the governor of Syria in 6 CE did not rule at the same time as Herod the Great.  Herod's rule ended when he died in 4 BCE.  Archelaus, Herod's son then ruled.  There is no Roman record of an Empire wide tax during the reign of Caesar Augustus.  If there had been there would have been a mass migration taking place as people traveled back to their homelands and there is no evidence of the upheaval this would have caused in travel, economies and other areas when migrations take place.

Take time and consider the above and what it means.  I will not do this for you.

We will be back to look at the next fulfillment prophecy next time.  I will give you a clue.  It is also in the second chapter of Matthew.

Isaiah 7 and Matt. continued.

Ok, first let's review from the last post.
1.  Context of Isaiah 7:  Two neighboring kings have come and besieged Jerusalem.  Hashem has told Isaiah to tell the wicked king Ahaz, he would be delivered because of a promise made to King David.  There will be a sign given.  The sign is not the "almah" but something else.

2.  The Almah.  Hebrew for a virgin is betulah not almah.  Almah used also in other places in the Scriptures means maiden, not particularly one who is a virgin.

3.  The Hebrew also uses a prefix H'almah, meaning "the young maiden" or this particular maiden you see here before you.  It cannot mean one who is 700 years in the future.  In particular it is pointing out Isaiah's wife, who is also a prophetess.

Many other translations today now use the word young maiden and not virgin.

OK, now let's proceed.  NET Bible.

Isa 7:14  For this reason the sovereign master himself will give you a confirming sign. Look, this young woman is about to conceive and will give birth to a son. You, young woman, will name him Immanuel.
Isa 7:15  He will eat sour milk and honey, which will help him know how to reject evil and choose what is right.
Isa 7:16  Here is why this will be so: Before the child knows how to reject evil and choose what is right, the land whose two kings you fear will be desolate.

Is the way the child is conceived the sign?  No, the sign is the maturity of the child and what happens before he is able to reject evil and choose good.  The two kings opposing Jerusalem will be done away with.  This is again foretold in Isaiah 8:4.  for before the child knows how to cry out, 'My father' or 'My mother,' the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria."
This could have very well happened within a year's time frame, not 700 years in the future.  We are able to see the confirmation of the prophecy being completed in II Kings 15:29-30 and also in II Kings 16: 5-9.  

I personally find the genealogies in Scripture fascinating.  They have been given for a reason.  The reason can often be found in the meaning of the names.  What the names mean in the original language, Hebrew.  Isaiah was told the names of his children would have specific meanings.  Isaiah means "the salvation of G-d".  Isaiah's sons names have special meaning as well.  You take time and look them up for yourself.

Now let's compare both the Matt and Isaiah portions.
1.  A specific time table was given.  
       a.  before the child knows evil and good, 
       b. by the time he can say mommy or daddy.
2.  A specific young maiden was pointed out

Matthew has taken out the definite article of a certain maiden and has instead inserted the word a virgin.  There is also an indefinate article, meaning that this "virgin" cannot be pointed out to others.
Matthew also says that the "virgin" is not yet pregnant, whereas the Hebrew in Isaiah says that she is already pregnant.  This appears in the perfect/past tense in the Hebrew.

Now, who will call the boy's name Immanuel?
Isaiah tells us "she will call"  Isaiah's wife will call his son Immanuel.  Now where in Matthew or any of the other gospels does Mary ever call Jesus Immanuel?  In the book of Luke, Mary was instructed to call him Jesus.  Matthew replaces the "she" with "they".  

The Torah clearly teaches it is the father alone who gives his children their tribal identity.  For Jesus to have been of the tribe of Judah, his father must have been from the tribe of Judah, not G-d.  Also, if you look closely at the fact Joseph was getting ready to put Mary away quietly because he thought she was unfaithful.  They were in essence married.  What does the Torah say about taking another man's wife.  G-d by impregnating Mary would be breaking His own law.  

If you would like to move ahead and look at the next Matthew fulfilled prophecy it is in Matt. 2:5  "In Bethlehem of Judea," they said, "for it is written this way by the prophet:
Mat 2:6  'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, 
are in no way least among the rulers of Judah, 
for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.' "

Context of Isaiah 7: vs Matt 1:20-23.

  By now I hope you have taken a look at Matt. 1 and Isaiah 7 and have had a side by side comparison along with some word studies.  If not we can take a very close look at them here.  So, if you are ready let's dig in.


Mat 1:18  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 1:19  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
Mat 1:20  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Mat 1:22  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

Mat 1:23  Behold,G2400 a virginG3933 shall be with child,G2192 G1722 G1064 andG2532 shall bring forthG5088 a son,G5207 andG2532 they shall callG2564 hisG846 nameG3686 Emmanuel,G1694 whichG3739 being interpretedG3177 is,G2076 GodG2316 withG3326 us.G2257 

Isa 7:14  ThereforeH3651 the LordH136 himselfH1931 shall giveH5414 you a sign;H226 Behold,H2009 a virginH5959 shall conceive,H2029 and bearH3205 a son,H1121 and shall callH7121 his nameH8034 Immanuel.H6005 

Isa 7:15  ButterH2529 and honeyH1706 shall he eat,H398 that he may knowH3045 to refuseH3988 the evil,H7451 and chooseH977 the good.H2896 

Isa 7:16  ForH3588 beforeH2962 the childH5288 shall knowH3045 to refuseH3988 the evil,H7451 and chooseH977 the good,H2896 the landH127 thatH834 thouH859 abhorrestH6973 shall be forsakenH5800 of bothH8147 her kings.H4428 

Mat 1:24  Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 

Mat 1:25  And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. 

CONTEXT:

Isa 7:1  And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it. 

Isa 7:2  And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind. 

Isa 7:3  Then said the LORD unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field; 

Isa 7:4  And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah. 

Isa 7:5  Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying, 

Isa 7:6  Let us go up against Judah, and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst of it, even the son of Tabeal: 

Isa 7:7  Thus saith the Lord GOD, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass. 

Isa 7:8  For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people. 

Isa 7:9  And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established. 

Isa 7:10  Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, 

Isa 7:11  Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. 

Isa 7:12  But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. 

Isa 7:13  And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? 

Isa 7:14  ThereforeH3651 the LordH136 himselfH1931 shall giveH5414 you a sign;H226 Behold,H2009 a virginH5959 shall conceive,H2029 and bearH3205 a son,H1121 and shall callH7121 his nameH8034 Immanuel.H6005 

Isa 7:15  ButterH2529 and honeyH1706 shall he eat,H398 that he may knowH3045 to refuseH3988 the evil,H7451 and chooseH977 the good.H2896 

Isa 7:16  ForH3588 beforeH2962 the childH5288 shall knowH3045 to refuseH3988 the evil,H7451 and chooseH977 the good,H2896 the landH127 thatH834 thouH859 abhorrestH6973 shall be forsakenH5800 of bothH8147 her kings.H4428 

Isa 7:17  The LORD shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father's house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah; even the king of Assyria.
Isa 7:18  And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
Isa 7:19  And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all thorns, and upon all bushes.
Isa 7:20  In the same day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is hired, namely, by them beyond the river, by the king of Assyria, the head, and the hair of the feet: and it shall also consume the beard.
Isa 7:21  And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep;
Isa 7:22  And it shall come to pass, for the abundance of milk that they shall give he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land.
Isa 7:23  And it shall come to pass in that day, that every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, it shall even be for briers and thorns.
Isa 7:24  With arrows and with bows shall men come thither; because all the land shall become briers and thorns.
Isa 7:25  And on all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns: but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle. 

In Isaiah, just what in the world is going on?

There are 3 kings that are mentioned here.
1.  Ahaz, king of Judah.  You need to know here that the kingdom of Israel was split in two after the death of king Solomon.  There were 10 tribes that made of the northern kingdom of Israel and was also called Ephriam because of the largest of the 10 tribes.  Judah continued to be ruled by the Davidic line as was promised by Hashem to David.  Now, Ahaz was a wicked king but Hashem remembered His promise to David.

2.  Pekah, was the king of Israel, or the northern 10 tribes.

3.  Retsin, was the king of Aram or Syria.

The ruling dynasty over this whole area were the Assyrians.  The Assyrians would later come and take the northern 10 tribes into captivity from which they never have yet returned.

Kings 2 and 3 have come down to Judah and have besieged Jerusalem because they wanted to revolt against Assyrian rule, Judah remained loyal.  Ahaz and the rest of Judah were scared to death of their impending doom.  So, because Hashem remains loyal to the covenant He made with David, (II Kings 7:12-16).   He sends Isaiah with news that the kings gathered against Jerusalem will fail.  Hashem told the wicked Ahaz to name a sign which the wicked king refused to do.  So, Isaiah names the sign for him.  This sign takes place in the lifetime of the king, not 700 plus years into the future.  The goal here is to allow Ahaz to see the hand of Hashem at work instead of relying upon a gentile nation, the Assyrians, to come and save them.  Ahaz, would not be alive to see the hand of Hashem at work if he had to wait for the Christian messiah to come 700 years later.  We are able to see the confirmation of the prophecy being completed in II Kings 15:29-30 and also in II Kings 16: 5-9.  So with this background let us dig a little more.

1.  Where in the Isaiah Chapter is there any indication That this is a messianic passage?
G3933
παρθένος
parthenos
par-then'-os
Of unknown origin; a maiden; by implication an unmarried daughter: - virgin.

a.  "A virgin"....  In Matt. the Greek....G3933
παρθένος
parthenos
par-then'-os
Of unknown origin; a maiden; by implication an unmarried daughter: - virgin.

LXX related word(s)
  H1330 betulah
  H5288 naar
  H5291 naarah
  H5959 almah

Now, let us examine the original Hebrew from Isaiah and how it is also used in the rest of the Scriptures.
H5959
Total HOT Occurrences: 7
עלמה (4)
Gen_24:43, Exo_2:8, Pro_30:19, Isa_7:14
עלמות (3)
Psa_68:26, Son_1:3, Son_6:8

‛almâh
Total KJV Occurrences: 7
maid, 2
Exo_2:8, Pro_30:19
virgin, 2
Gen_24:43, Isa_7:14
virgins, 2
Son_1:3, Son_6:8
damsels, 1
Psa_68:25

H5959
עלמה
‛almâh
BDB Definition:
1) virgin, young woman
1a) of marriageable age
1b) maid or newly married
Part of Speech: noun feminine
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from H5958
Same Word by TWOT Number: 1630b

Almah is not used the same way in all circumstances.  Therefore it may not be declaring "a virgin".
In the Hebrew it is much better translated as a young maiden.  And most often it does not mean a virgin at all.  The better word in the Hebrew which actually means virgin is not used here.  That word is betulah.

Better yet is the way in which the word Almah is used here in the Hebrew
Isa 7:14  לכן יתן אדני הוא לכם אות הנה העלמה הרה וילדת בן וקראת שׁמו עמנו אל׃

 העלמה  

In Hebrew (reading from right to left), the word alma begins with a Hay.  This prefix is a definate article.  In others words the Hebrew says "This young woman" or "the young woman you see here.  The person being pointed out is someone who is known to both the prophet and the king.  Mary was not known to either Isaiah or the king.  So, Matthew tinkered with the quote and removed the definate article.  I have learned that Hebrew does not have an indefinate article.

There is more to this to work through though, we have just begun.  So come back next time where we will start where we have left off.

Study Preliminaries

Before we get into looking at the Matthew 1:20-23 and Isaiah 7:14 passages, there are some passages we need to keep in mind.

1.  Deu 12:28  “Guard, and obey all these words which I command you, that it might be well with you and your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the eyes of יהוה your Elohim.
Deu 12:29  “When יהוה your Elohim does cut off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land,
Deu 12:30  guard yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire about their mighty ones, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their mighty ones? And let me do so too.’1 Footnote: 1See also 18:9, Lev. 18:3, Jer.10:2, Ezek. 11:12 & 20:32
Deu 12:31  “Do not do so to יהוה your Elohim, for every abomination which יהוה hates they have done to their mighty ones, for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their mighty ones.
Deu 12:32  “All the words I am commanding you, guard to do it – do not add to it nor take away from it.1 Footnote: 1See also 4:2, Prov. 30:6,

 1.  We are not to worship Hashem in the same way in which other nations have worshiped their idols.  You can cross reference what the children of Israel did with the golden calf.  They attempted to worship Hashem with it.  Human sacrifice was also part of pagan worship.

2.  Do not add or take away from Hashem's instructions.

Deu 13:1  “When there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he shall give you a sign or a wonder, 
Deu 13:2  and the sign or the wonder shall come true, of which he has spoken to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other mighty ones – which you have not known – and serve them,’
Deu 13:3  do not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for יהוה your Elohim is trying you to know whether you love יהוה your Elohim with all your heart and with all your being.
Deu 13:4  “Walk after יהוה your Elohim and fear Him, and guard His commands and obey His voice, and serve Him and cling to Him.

3.  Just because someone does signs and wonders does not mean they are from Hashem.  If they teach things that go against the word of Hashem (Torah and Tenak, i.e. the Old Testament) then Hashem is testing you to see if you will remain true to the Word which He has given.  Hashem sends us tests!!

Amo 3:7  For the Master יהוה does no matter unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.

4.  If Hashem is going to do something new, it is revealed first to His prophets.
       a.  changing the sabbath day?   
       b.  a mashiac to die for sins...?


Mal 3:6  “For I am יהוה, I shall not change, and you, O sons of Yaʽaqoḇ, shall not come to an end.

Zec 8:23  “Thus said יהוה of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from all languages of the nations take hold, yea, they shall take hold of the edge of the garment of a man, a Yehuḏite, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that Elohim is with you.”

5.  Here we see that men from the nations go to the Jews to be taught.  Not the church, not Messianics or even those who have been grafted in.  They go to those who have been guarding the Scriptures through the ages.

And finally

Jer 16:19  O יהוה, my strength and my stronghold and my refuge, in the day of distress the gentiles shall come to You from the ends of the earth and say, “Our fathers have inherited only falsehood, futility, and there is no value in them.”1 Footnote: 1See Ps. 147:19, Isa. 2:3, Isa. 60:2-3,

6.  notice it is the Gentiles who come and say they have been taught things that are wrong.

Now the first passages we will look at.  I will post them here and comment next time.

From the NET Bible.  This translation is pretty close to the Hebrew.

Isa 7:11  "Ask for a confirming sign from the LORD your God. You can even ask for something miraculous."
Isa 7:12  But Ahaz responded, "I don't want to ask; I don't want to put the LORD to a test."
Isa 7:13  So Isaiah replied, "Pay attention, family of David. Do you consider it too insignificant to try the patience of men? Is that why you are also trying the patience of my God?
Isa 7:14  For this reason the sovereign master himself will give you a confirming sign. Look, this young woman is about to conceive and will give birth to a son. You, young woman, will name him Immanuel.
Isa 7:15  He will eat sour milk and honey, which will help him know how to reject evil and choose what is right.
Isa 7:16  Here is why this will be so: Before the child knows how to reject evil and choose what is right, the land whose two kings you fear will be desolate.

Isa 7:14  לכןH3651  יתןH5414  אדניH136  הואH1931  לכם  אותH226  הנהH2009  העלמהH5959  הרהH2030  וילדתH3205  בןH1121  וקראתH7121  שׁמוH8034  עמנו  אל׃H6005
Isa 7:15  חמאהH2529  ודבשׁH1706  יאכלH398  לדעתוH3045  מאוסH3988  ברעH7451  ובחורH977  בטוב׃H2896
Isa 7:16  כיH3588  בטרםH2962  ידעH3045  הנערH5288  מאסH3988  ברעH7451  ובחרH977  בטובH2896  תעזבH5800  האדמהH127  אשׁרH834  אתהH859  קץH6973  מפניH6440  שׁניH8147  מלכיה׃H4428

Now  How does Matthew treat this?

Mat 1:20  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Mat 1:22  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Mat 1:23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

The Challenge!

      Last April, the one in 2017, Laurie was given some notes from a friend.  The notes were about all of the fulfillment prophecies listed in the book of Matthew.  Laurie's friends had studied them out and compared them with the original places quoted in the Old Testament.  They studied them in context.  They came to an astonishing conclusion.  That conclusion was these Old Testament passages did not support what the book of Matthew was claiming.

     Laurie, being the studious person she is, started out to prove them wrong, and the rest of us also started our own studies of the "fulfillment passages".  As we studied, and talked and worked through these passages, we also came to some very disturbing conclusions, unanimously (except for one daughter who was not looking into it).  We worked on these things over and over until June.  Then we had to make some difficult decisions.  Life-changing decisions.  Scary decisions.

Everyone was hesitant to put what we had found into the practice of our lives.  As the head of the family, I decided we could no longer continue on as we had been.  It was necessary to put the Scriptures ahead of what our heads were telling us.  Voicing what everyone was thinking put us on a totally different track of living.  But we didn't know hardly anyone who was doing what we were going to do.  We were alone again in our walk.  Once the decision was made an amazing thing occurred.  We started to stumble on small groups of people, on facebook, who were also making the tough decisions that we had just made.  We also were finding people who were asking the same questions that we had already asked.

So, at this point, let me challenge you to take the Gospel of Matthew and find all of the fulfillment passages and then compare them in the whole context of the Old Testament passage referred to.  In some cases you may need to read the context of 10 or more chapters to find out who is actually being talked about.  In other cases you may not find anything.

In the next post I will give you some notes and some videos that were made after we came to our conclusions as aids in your search.  We did not have these at the time we started looking into things.
Until then,  happy studying.