Hook Phrases

Whenever the New Testament quotes a passage from the Old Testament, the intent is to "hook" the story of Jesus and his followers into the larger narrative of Israel. The message of the New Testament author is the same as that of the Old Testament author. Here's an example.

Isaiah 7 is a chapter in which the prophet deals with King Ahaz of Judah as he struggles with the oncoming invasion of a Syria-Israel coalition. Isaiah tells Ahaz not to worry because the coalition kings are just a couple of nobodies. He then tells Ahaz to ask the Lord for a sign. Ahaz refuses. Isaiah then informs Ahaz that he's going to get one anyway:

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (7:14)

Before this boy knows how to choose the good and reject the evil, the two aforementioned coalition nations will be reduced to rubble. God will protect Ahaz and Judah from the Syro-Ephraimitic invasion because "God (is) with us", and the boy will serve as a reminder.

When St. Matthew quotes Isaiah 7:14 in the context of Jesus' birth, the message is the same-- God is with us, and he will protect us from the enemy! In fact, the enemy will be reduced to rubble.