Ok i feel on fire, im just going to start posting up my results right here...
Firstly ... The Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit. God is never incorrect, man is though.
So firstly i beleive the contraversary exists around this due to human's poor understanding.
Right, now ...
One of the reasons why i know Matthew 1:23 is talking about Isaiah 7:14 is because the word "Emmanuel" is used in both the verses ... and Matthew at that time was talking about Jesus.
the word Emmanuel means "God With Us" ... Jesus WAS GOD WITH US. He was the word who became "flesh and dwelt among us" and was God with us in the form of a human.
Now ... before i start, i would like to point out that whenever in doubt ... always ALWAYS read the verse in context, which means ... to read a few verses above and a verss below the one you are studying to know what is properly going on.
Heres Isaiah 7 verses 10 to 16 say ...
Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying,
11 Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.
12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.
13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?
14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Behold Matt 1:23
15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.
.... Now lets read Matthew 1 verses 18 to 23 to get the context ...
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
espoused Luke 1:27
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
put Deut 24:1-3 Jer 3:1 Matt 5:31, 19:7 Mark 10:4
20
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
dream Gen 20:3, Gen 31:24
Holy Ghost Luke 1:35
21
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
JESUS Luke 1:31 Acts 4:12, Acts 13:38
22
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet (Isaiah), saying,
23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Behold Isa 7:14
The context clearly shows Isaiah was referring to Jesus in this and should be enough to end this debate right here. But i will go further and break this down further...
Isaiah does not explain what Emmanuel means, but Matthew 1:23 says..
which being interpreted is, God with us.
Jesus was God with us
Isaiah was speaking to King Ahaz if you read Isaiah chapter 7, if you've read about King Ahaz, he was a wicked king, he did not follow the God of his forefathers, but followed idols. Ahaz even sacrified his own sons to the gods of the demons.
At the dark hour of Ahaz's life, Isaiah came to him and gave him this word.
There was a child born in Isaiah's time, not much is known about him, but it was a sign to them that god was with them.
Isaiah 9:6 says - "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
Some scholar's beleive this baby was Isaiah's son. This was a sign to the people though.
What did Immanuel mean to Matthew? What did it mean to this Jewish writer?
This was a sign, a DUAL PROPHECY ... That God was with King Ahaz and with the people ... and that ALSO one day in the future ... there would be born another Son from a virgin who would deliver his people.
Matthew knew what Emmanuel meant to Isaiah and what it meant to the Jews. The word Emmanuel signifies Gods presence with the people, that God is there, God is WITH us.
I really dont need to go further with this, the Context of Matthew 1 verses 18-23 clears everything up. It was a dual prophecy, 2 signs. One for king Ahaz, and one for the Jews.