Emmanuel or Immanuel. We are quite familiar with this Hebrew Word: God with us. This is one of those verses that get frequently read:
She will give birth to a son; and you shall call His name Yeshua, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by Adonai through the prophet, saying, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and give birth to a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which means “God with us.” (Matthew 1:21-23)
The word Emmanuel עמנואל can be split into 3 parts:
- With עמ (em)
- Us נו (nu)
- God אל (el)
So it means God with us. (God is with us).
God’s name reveals His nature. God isn’t restricted by time. He is “I am”, He is “the beginning and the end”. He is “who is and who was and who is to come”.
Jesus’ name in Hebrew is Yeshua, which means salvation. This is His name, and this redemption plan existed way before the Messiah was born on this earth. It’s very likely that the redemption plan existed even before the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil was planted. Or even before He created the heavens and the earth. This is who He is.
It means, as He exists, He has “included” us in Him. When there wasn’t even any “us”, He calls Himself “God with Us”!
When we say “Emmanuel”, what picture do we have in mind? Is it a docile baby Jesus? But think again, actually, God has put His desire of “Emmanuel” into His festivals. We can see His desire from how He came to this earth as Son of Man, and the final ending He plans. That is “God with Us”. Forever.
God appointed people to go up to Jerusalem three times a year on Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacle. The Feast of Tabernacle is called Sukkot, the plural form of Sukkah, the temporary shelter.
In this holiday, we are specifically told to rejoice. Why must we be happy?
The tabernacle Moses built on earth is a shadow to what’s in heaven. The happy Sukkot is a rehearsal to the happy ending of “Emmanuel”. God with us. God wants to be with us again. We as His people, and He as our God.
I also heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is among men, and He shall tabernacle among them. They shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them and be their God. (Revelation 21:3)
In the end, Israel will still stay in tents. That’s the ending.
“Yet I have been Adonai your God, since the land of Egypt. I will yet again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the moed.” (Hosea 12:9)
The scene of God dwelling with men was rehearsed when the Messiah came,
And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. (John 1:14)
The timing son of God came to the earth to be with us, the “Emmanuel” scene took place on Sukkot. The joyous festival. The Word became flesh.
Pesach in spring points to the lamb that was slain and redemption. The feast of weeks points to the pouring of the Holy Spirit and spreading of good news, and then finally Sukkot points to God with us forever. The beginning was Emmanuel, so is the end.
Therefore those who don’t come to observe Sukkot, there will be no rain on their land. God’s heart is clear, that “we” will worship “God” together with Him. And He will enjoy this relationship that He looks forward to for thousands of years.
‘After this I will return
and rebuild the fallen tabernacle of David.
I will rebuild its ruins
and I will restore it,
so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord—
namely all the Gentiles who are called by My name—
says Adonai, who makes these things known from of old.’ (Acts 15:16-18)
Emmanuel isn’t a word of blessing. It is the creator’s desire to be His creation. From beginning till the end, this desire existed. This relationship is a part of Him, it is His name. Emmanuel.
