I was reading John Chrysostom's commentary on Isa. 7. He made an interesting point. When speaking of the virgin, Isaiah 7:14 uses a definite article, "the virgin." Chrysostom uses this gramatical point to contend that the woman was of special importance, namely the Virgin Mary (and, of course, he held a view of her similar to a Roman perspective). Anyway, this argument could be used to place to prophecy exclusively in relation to Christ, as Mary is blessed to all generations. This might have more strength with someone who accepts the perpetual virginity of Mary (I don't), as the statement seems to indicate a title of some sort.

As a counter to John's argument, I would note that the account of Isaiah fathering Maher with "the prophetess" in Isa. 8:3 also uses a definite article to describe "the prophetess." So, it would seem that Isa. 7:14 could similarly apply to her, at least with respect to the definite article issue. There are other problems, such as whether the prophetess was a virgin. Isaiah had another baby child, but that could have been with another wife (perhaps deceased or perhaps through polygamy).

__________________
Scott Roberts
Ruling Elder, Lakeside Presbyterian Church (PCA)
Southlake, Texas