“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel” (which means “God with us”)
Matthew 1:23
For centuries the Jewish people knew God afar off. There was hardly ever any personal connection except with the occasional theophany. For example, Genesis 16:7–14 – Hagar and the Angel of the Lord; Exodus 3:2 – Moses’ encounter the Angel of the Lord at the burning bush; Judges 13:3 – The Angel of the Lord came to Samson’s mother to announce his birth. But these encounters were not the norm.
The priests were the ones who mediated between the people and God. The prophets gave the word of the Lord but God did not dwell with men as such. Then finally a new way was opened for God to be with us permanently! He came in human flesh through Christ, and when He died on that cross and rose again and ascended into heaven Jesus bridged the gap between God and man once and for all.
Today we all have the assurance and joy of knowing God is with us. It is a comfort to know no matter where you are at or what you are going through God is with you! Emmanuel! He is with you right now, He will not abandon you!
