Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Land of Immanuel" is a designation for the Holy Land, rooted in biblical prophecy and theological significance. The name "Immanuel," meaning "God with us," is a profound expression of God's presence and promise to His people, and it is intricately connected to the land promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Biblical FoundationThe concept of the "Land of Immanuel" is primarily derived from the prophecy found in the book of Isaiah. In
Isaiah 7:14, the prophet declares, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel." This prophecy is traditionally understood as a foretelling of the birth of Jesus Christ, who is recognized as the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to dwell among His people.
Isaiah 8:8 further emphasizes the connection between Immanuel and the land: "It will sweep on into Judah, swirling over it, passing through it and reaching up to the neck; its outspread wings will cover the breadth of your land, O Immanuel!" . Here, the land is directly referred to as belonging to Immanuel, indicating a divine claim and presence.
Theological SignificanceThe designation of the Holy Land as the "Land of Immanuel" underscores the belief in God's intimate involvement with His chosen people and the land He promised them. This land is not merely a geographical location but a sacred space where God's covenantal promises are realized. The presence of God in the land is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, from the patriarchal narratives to the prophetic visions.
In the New Testament, the fulfillment of the Immanuel prophecy is seen in the person of Jesus Christ, whose life and ministry took place in this very land.
Matthew 1:23 explicitly connects the prophecy of Isaiah to Jesus: "Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel" (which means, "God with us") . This reinforces the understanding of the land as a place where God's redemptive work is uniquely manifested.
Historical and Spiritual ContextHistorically, the Holy Land has been the focal point of God's interactions with humanity, from the calling of Abraham to the establishment of Israel as a nation. It is the land where the Law was given, the prophets spoke, and the temple was built. The land's spiritual significance is further highlighted by its role in the life of Jesus, from His birth in Bethlehem to His crucifixion and resurrection in Jerusalem.
The "Land of Immanuel" is thus a testament to God's faithfulness and His desire to dwell among His people. It serves as a reminder of the divine promise and the hope of God's continued presence with His people, both in the past and in the eschatological future.
ConclusionThe Holy Land, as the "Land of Immanuel," holds a central place in biblical theology and Christian faith. It is a symbol of God's enduring covenant and His incarnational presence through Jesus Christ. The land remains a powerful testament to the reality of "God with us," a truth that resonates throughout the biblical narrative and continues to inspire believers today.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Isaiah 8:8And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
Mysterious visits.
... to the Holy Land, this Riviera is the favoured spot. It is a land of vines, and
figs, and olives, and palms; I have called it "Thy land, O Immanuel." While in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/mysterious visits.htm
The Gospel According to St. Matthew
... Thus he interprets "Immanuel" (i.23), "Golgotha" (xxvii.33 ... God," but here we find
it called "the kingdom ... even although the invasion of the holy land by Gentiles ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter iii the gospel according.htm
A vision of Judgement and Cleansing
... Satan here represents what might otherwise have been called, in theological ... the promise
was when He gave the Holy Spirit not ... The breadth of Thy land, O Immanuel ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a vision of judgement and.htm
Six Cities
... as they spake of Him in their predictions, called Him "The ... I love the NAME of Jesus,
Immanuel, Christ the ... one of the loveliest spots in the Holy Land, with its ...
/.../macduff/the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/ii six cities.htm
Christian Ballads.
... of my fathers' glory from the lips of holy men, And ... of my fathers; I thought of my
fathers' land then ... er I come in tears, Still at the Gate called Beautiful My ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter vi christian ballads.htm
The Well-Beloved's vineyard.
... You, beloved friends, are not called to be rulers of nations, nor ... there is not a
richer bit of soil outside Immanuel's land than the holy ministry for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the well-beloveds vineyard.htm
The City and River of God
... make glad the city of God, the holy place of ... be seen in the dry and thirsty land,
that stream ... and prophets' visions in Him who is called 'Immanuel,' which is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the city and river of.htm
The Torments of Giant Bad Feelings
... as to whether the soul is really in Canaan-land or not. ... These may be called basic
instincts ... Once, holy men were supposed to be dead to social enjoyments"they ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter ten the torments of.htm
Hymns for the Use of the People Called Methodists
... You know the literary artifice called by the grammarians chiasmus'. ... The sea is turned
to solid land,. ... Simply to state the doctrine of the Holy Trinity is for ...
/.../manning/the hymns of wesley and watts five papers/hymns for the use of.htm
The Christian's Warfare.
... surer evidence it is of the work of the Holy Spirit in ... I know he was called "the
servant of God," and that he ... he failed, and was kept out of the promised land. ...
/.../moody/the overcoming life/part i the christians warfare.htm
Resources
What is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? | GotQuestions.orgQuestions about the Holy Spirit (All) | GotQuestions.orgWhat is "Holy Blood, Holy Grail"? | GotQuestions.orgHoly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus