The Virgin Birth of Christ
The fact of the Virgin Birth is one of the fundamentals of Christianity and cannot be compromised: The Bible plainly says Jesus was born of a virgin. This was the promise of Old Testament Scripture (Isaiah 7:14) and is the record of the New Testament Scripture (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38). The Old Testament prophecies are very precise in telling us that the Christ that was born of a virgin is the eternal Son of God. Micah 5:2 says the one born in Bethlehem’s manger has been going forth “from everlasting.” In Isaiah 9:6 we are told that a child was born and a son was given. The exact wording is crucial. Christ’s virgin birth (‘a child was born’) denotes the beginning of His incarnation as God made flesh, but as the eternal Son (‘a son was given’), He had no beginning. In Isaiah 7:14 we are told that the virgin born One is “God with us.”
THE HEBREW WORD FOR THE VIRGIN BIRTH.
The Hebrew word translated “virgin” in Isaiah 7:14 is almah. It is used nine times in the Bible: Genesis 24:43; Exodus 2:8; Psalm 68:25; Proverbs 30:19; Song of Solomon 1:3; 6:8; Isaiah 7:14. Almah is translated “maid” in Exodus 2:8 and “damsels” in Psalm 68:25. Though many commentators contend that the word can refer to a woman who is not strictly a virgin, it is not certain that it is ever so used in Scripture. Genesis 24:43 refers to Rebekah before she became Isaac’s bride. She obviously was a virgin in the strictest sense of the word. Exodus 2:8 refers to Moses’ sister when she was a girl living at home. Again this is a clear reference to a virgin.
Psalm 68:25 and Song of Solomon 1:3 and 6:8 are not as clear as far as what kind of girls are in view, but there is absolutely no indication in the contexts that these are not virgins. To say that they are not strictly virgins is mere speculation. The reference in Isaiah 7:14 without question speaks of a virgin, because it was fulfilled in the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The New Testament plainly tells us that though she was espoused to Joseph, she conceived the Lord Jesus Christ “before they came together” (Matthew 1:18). The Holy Spirit quotes Isaiah and applies it directly to the Lord Jesus Christ. Any “theologian” who questions this application or the Authorized Version’s translation of Isaiah 7:14 is denying the testimony of God.
THE PURPOSE OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH
- Christ became a man so He could make Atonement for man’s sin (Mark 10:45; Romans 5:12, 18-21; 2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 2:9, 17; 10:4-12; 1 John 3:5).
- Christ became a man to inherit the Davidic covenant (Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:31-33; Acts 2:29-30).
- To be an example to the saints (1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6).
- To be our High Priest (Hebrews 2:17; 3:1).
- To destroy the works of the devil (Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8).
- To fulfill all the promises and prophecies of Scripture (Luke 1:69-70)
Randall Runions, Pastor