Ryan, i appreciate that you too read the text with the notion that it is always written in time unless otherwise noted. I feel as though that's the best way to get in the head of the author/audience. As far as the predicted child it almost has to be a child that will be born in that time in the world of Ahaz asking for a sign. If the sign is to convince Ahaz then it couldn't possibly be a child born years later. That being said, i couldn't agree more with you when you say "the idea that God could take a prophecy that was meant for a particular age and make it equally applicable in another age is entirely consistent with the way God acts in my life". Thanks for sharingÂ