As we celebrate the story of Christmas, we also celebrate the excitement and anticipation that came to fruition on that silent night. The highest moment of anticipation is revealed to us in Isaiah, where some of the most beloved messianic prophecies were written. Have you ever waited for something for so long that you started to wonder if it was coming? Whether it was a package in the mail, a visit from a friend, a college admissions letter, or a new season of life, it’s hard to wait. So imagine the anticipation the Israelites had after waiting hundreds of years for a Messiah. We can look through the Old Testament to see their longing grow. These are two verses that grow that longing for a Messiah:
Messianic Prophecy #1: Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 7:14 says, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will name Him Immanuel.” Because the people would have known that Immanuel means “God with us,” this verse began to set the stage for the personal relationship that would be made possible through Jesus’ incarnation. This grows their anticipation not just to be saved but to be known by God. The Old Testament constantly, through every page, increases the feeling of expectation and excitement about what is to come in the coming Messiah.
When Isaiah is speaking prophetic utterance on behalf of God, God’s people have already been waiting for the Messiah for thousands of years. This had happened since they read Genesis 3:15, where God promised that the serpent would bruise his heel, but He would crush the serpent’s head. The God of Genesis is the creator, but Adam and Eve failed all of humanity by succumbing to sinful desires. They represent all of us. No one is without sin, which is why God knew He had to send a savior. This verse was the first gospel proclamation in Scripture and held the promise that sin and death will one day be defeated. He’s been promising it since the garden, so it’s no wonder the people are feverish with anticipation by the time Isaiah was written.
Eve hoped this salvation would come quickly, but she must have been heartbroken when her son murdered his brother. There was brokenness like this in every generation, but every generation probably looked at the next generation, wondering if this man could be the one. Would it be Noah? No, he was sinful too. It couldn’t be Abraham, but maybe his promised son? Isaac’s life did foreshadow the Messiah to come, but he was also sinful. When Joseph rose to power, they asked the question. They may have wondered about Jacob or his twelve sons who began the 12 tribes of Israel. His son Judah wasn’t the savior, but it was from his bloodline that the Messiah came. But when things felt hopeful, the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for hundreds of years. When they saw Moses come onto the scene, do you think they asked if he was the Messiah? Moses showed the power of God to save His people in a way that only grew their anticipation for the Messiah. The whole Passover feast is a picture of the gospel, which is why Jesus used bread and wine to symbolize his body and blood. Jesus himself was the Passover lamb sacrificed for us.
Once Israel was able to function as a nation again, God gave them the law after being freed from captivity. You can read these laws in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The law showed humanity that we couldn’t live the holy, sinless lives God requires. As they tried to abide by God’s directions, they had rulers (like Joshua), judges, and kings to govern their land. The story of Ruth gives the people hope through the symbolism of the Kinsman Redeemer that Boaz was. It was a picture of Christ, who would come through the line of Ruth. David later comes from her bloodline, and he provided a very messianic picture of leadership – except when he didn’t. He, too, was an imperfect ruler.
Every generation had another leader that let them down. And every generation had trials and tribulations they needed to be saved from. So these messianic prophecies grow their longing for a sinless savior to do what every sinful leader couldn’t and bridge the gap between man and God.
Messianic Prophecy #2: Isaiah 9:6
Later in Isaiah, the writer states, “For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) Again, the writer is providing names for this Messiah that will grow their anticipation for all He would do. They knew they needed a savior, but names like these instill lofty dreams of a man who would bring peace and rest to broken governments and justice to sinful leaders.
Not long after Isaiah spoke this passage, the Northern Kingdom was delivered into captivity in 722 B.C. under the hands of the Assyrians. It wasn’t a great time for Israel. Then, in 586 B.C., the southern Kingdom (the faithful Kingdom) was delivered into captivity under the nation of Babylon. The nation and its government were massively unstable. If you want to stress people out, tell them the government is corrupt and unstable. There’s nothing scarier than hearing that there’s a threat to their economic stability and national security. When the government is intrusive and overstepping its bounds, or there’s radical government oversight or recessions, people can’t help but panic. So these verses in Isaiah bring peace. They promise a man who will rectify all those wrongs, and they are eager for Him to come.
Do you relate? Every time we turn on the news, we get bombarded by doom and gloom. There are wars, rumors of wars, financial collapse, and a nation divided in many ways. I don’t know about you, but I need some good news today. If you need good news, just read Isaiah 9:6. What was good news for Israelites hundreds of years ago is also good news for you as an American today: “the government will rest on his shoulders.” The birth of Jesus guarantees that one day He will reign and rule the world forever.
The passage gives other titles for Jesus too. If you are in desperate need of wise advice, He is your wonderful counselor. If you feel powerless against all the impossible odds in your life, remember that He is your Mighty God. And when you’ve been run ragged by the unending demands of this world, remember He is your Prince of Peace. His Kingdom will have no end.
Closing Reflections
The Israelites were still waiting for the Messiah to come when these verses were written. The good news for us is He already came, died, and rose again. Now, He is with you through the Holy Spirit, and you can abide by Him daily. You have a father forever who will always fight for you. In this season, what you need more than a Christmas list or a New Year’s Resolution is Jesus, your Messiah. Your Father offers you a relationship with Jesus Christ that will bring you peace and hope that can’t be taken away. Imagine how excited the Israelites would have been who were hoping and praying for their Messiah if you showed up and told them that He had come and God had kept His promises! Sometimes when we hear the story so much, we forget how exciting it is to see thousands of years of prayers and anticipation finally fulfilled. It should build a sense of awe and wonder in what you have in Christ. I pray that it would create an expectation for His presence and you would seek it. Finally, you have access to the Messiah, whom so many people thought would never come. You get the blessings that God promised so long ago. I pray today that you would realize that you have hope and you would use it, that you have guidance and you would seek it, that you have power and you would enjoy it, and you have His presence with you always. This Christmas, that’s something to be thankful for!
