messianic prophecy and proposed that Virgin Israel would give birth to the Messiah. This postulated state of affairs would make it easier to understand why Isa. 7:14 was selected by Matthew (or by earlier Christians) as an important text for understanding who Jesus was. Accordingly, Mary represents Virgin Israel, who cannot bring forth the Messiah without God’s direct intervention. However we interpret the story of the miraculous conception, it is most important that we not lapse into paganism by