Old Testament Prophecy for Eight Year Olds
“…And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
All of this occurred to fulfil the Lord’s message through his prophet:
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
which means ‘God is with us.’”
Matthew 1:21-23 NLT
Old Testament prophecy can be obscure. We have the benefit of New Testament eyes, where we look back on what was written acknowledging its fulfilment as revealed by Jesus himself, and New Testament writers.
But how did the original hearers receive these prophetic warnings, announcements, and promises? And how do we explain it to eight year olds?!
Original hearers would be hearing what we read in a VERY different context to us. Not only without New Testament explanation, but in wildly different cultural settings. Different values. Different heritage. Different expectations.
Original hearers (not even readers!) of Isaiah’s prophecy knew the Lord God in a way we need to deliberately challenge ourselves to understand. They knowledge was passed down from generation to generation. It was testimonial of what God had done…or not done. Whilst the Law of Moses was written down, for many generations it was lost. Forgotten. Ignored.
Most hearers of Isaiah there by the aqueduct, on the way to the laundrette (Isa. 7:4) would likely have been skeptical. What madness! Crazy talk! Ahaz himself had little time for their covenant God. He was busy creating new altars inspired by other gods (cf. 2 Kings 16:10-16)
But a remnant would have heard, and listened, and taken note. They wouldn’t necessarily have understood though! A young lady? A small child? Weaning? Discerning right from wrong? God with us?! Aha. That makes sense. Their covenant God who they were told ‘will neither fail you nor abandon you.’ (Deut. 31:6) would not leave or forsake them (cf. Heb. 13:5).
This same remnant would be looking forward to the promised Rescuer. The man promised to Adam and Eve who would crush the serpent’s head (Gen. 3:16). The Seed promised to Abraham who’s offspring would bless the nations (Gen. 12:2,7;15:5;17:4-6). And now Isaiah promises a Davidic descendent who would bring liberation and blessing! Those in darkness will see great light! He will rule with fairness and justice for all eternity (Isa. 9:2,7)!
It is only looking back however that this becomes clear. New Testament writers knew the truth—no doubt after Jesus explained it all to them.
But back to the eight year olds? Well—we played a game! The Knotty Notto Market game. I was able to buy the following: a tap, a buggy, a sink, a light, and a big fish. I could also browse chairs, cars, and cups. But alas, not cupboards, tape, or goldfish. Nor could we buy eggs, bread, or sofas! Argh!
As frustrations rose I thought we should re-write the name of the game: Not-E Not-O Market! You can only buy items without an E or an O in their spelling. Doh! So simple when you know.
Praise God for blessing us with his fullest revelation of his plans and purposes, for making known to us the mystery hidden for many ages—Jesus Christ. In him all promises are kept and find their fulfilment. We are no longer left to be frustrated. No longer groping the dark.
And those eight year olds—they got it! Have you?
