So the old testament is saying "Behold! LOOK! Be amazed!" a young woman shall concieve and give birth.
No, it doesn't say that at all.
Basically, Isaiah's point is this:
"Before this girl's kid grows up, those kings you're afraid of will already be gone."
Really? They were surprised or astouinded or asked to take special notice of one of the most common things in the world - that a young woman gets preggers?
There's no astonishment mentioned at all. And the pregnancy is really beside the point, which is that it won't be long before the Lord takes care of the two kings that are teaming up against the House of David.
That's what faith was saying about the context strongly indicates virgin.
Her viginity is totally incidental to what Isaiah was talking about.
Here's the pertinant parts:
quote:
2 Now the house of David was told, Aram has allied itself with Ephraim; so the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind.
...
13 Then Isaiah said, Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also?
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right,
16 for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.
ABE:
PaulK bring up a good point about the next chapter:
quote:
8 The Lord said to me, Take a large scroll and write on it with an ordinary pen: Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz.
2 So I called in Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah as reliable witnesses for me.
3 Then I made love to the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. And the Lord said to me, Name him Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz.
4 For before the boy knows how to say ‘My father’ or ‘My mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria.
Again, its just a way to keep track of some timeframe. Before X, then Y. Where for X he's using the birth of a child.
Edited by Catholic Scientist, : No reason given.
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