Isaiah and the Messiah

I. Introduction: Isaiah is often called the prophet of the Messiah. He made many prophecies regarding the Messiah and Jesus fulfilled all of those prophecies. His prophecies tell of the Messiah’s birth, reign, death, and resurrection.

II. Background

A. Isaiah prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, the kings of Judah.

B. Israel became very wicked under Ahaz but began a spiritual renewal during the reign of Hezekiah.

C. Isaiah preached to a sick and suffering nation that was reaping the punishment of God for her wickedness.

D. Throughout the prophecy, Isaiah presents the impending judgment of God but the merciful return of the Jews to the Promised Land and the ultimate fulfillment of His plan in Jesus and the church.

E. We have discussed many of the sins of Israel at this time with other prophets and so want to focus on the message of the Messiah

III. What is the Messiah? ( Chart 1)

A. The Messiah means “the anointed one.”

B. The word “Messiah” is a Greek adaptation of the Aramaic word used in the Old Testament. The word “Christ” is the Greek word for “anointed” used in the LXX.Messiah and Christ are equivalent terms.

C. The hope was for the coming of the “anointed one,” a king from the lineage of David and, as Zechariah prophecies, a priest.

IV. Prophecies of His birth ( Chart 2)

A. Micah predicts the place of Messiah’s birth, Bethlehem of Judea, Micah 5:2.

B. Isaiah predicts the Messiah’s Davidic lineage, Isaiah 11:1-2, 10 ( Chart 3)

C. This was promised to David, 2 Samuel 7:12-16 Isaiah 9:6-7 – He would receive an everlasting kingdom ( Chart 4)

D. Isaiah predicted His miraculous birth ( Chart 5)

E. Isaiah 7:10-17 – Sign to AhazA young woman having a child would be no sign at all, but the virgin birth would cause wonder. He would be called, Immanuel (“God with us”)

F. The sign to faithless Ahaz is really for God’s people and a rebuke against Ahaz.

G. The nations he feared—Israel and Syria— would be destroyed by Assyria at the command of God. Judah would be punished for the wickedness of the people. However, God would not forget His people and would raise up a king who will discern good and evil (unlike Ahaz) and God would be with Him, unlike Ahaz who forsook God.

V. Prophecies of His life ( Chart 6)

A. Isaiah 49:8-9; 61:1-2

B. Jesus related these passages to Himself, Luke 4:17-21.

C. He came to preach the salvation of the Lord and deliverance from sin.

VI. Prophecies of His death, Isaiah 52:13-53:12 ( Chart 7)

A. Isaiah 52:13-15 is an introduction to the scene unfolding in chapter 53.

B. The witnesses to these events would not realize that acting in self-interest they would fulfill the eternal plan of God. The exalted servant would have to suffer greatly.

C. His appearance, 53:1-4.

D. His appearance would be normal, not spectacular. He would suffer much as a man and those living on the earth would not truly appreciate or esteem Him for His work while He is alive.

E. He would die as a sacrifice for all men, 53:4-8.

F. He carried our grief and sorrows and suffered by the command of God.

G. He suffered for our transgressions and iniquities.

H. Just as the sacrificial lambs of the Old Testament died because the people sinned, so did innocent Jesus. His death has a healing power, necessary because we all sinned. In His affliction, He did not cry out or plead His case; He suffered.

I. He would be buried in a rich person’s grave, Isaiah 53:9.

J. Though not rich, He would be buried with the rich. This was fulfilled through Joseph of Arimathea, Matthew 27:57-60.

K. We give meaning to His death when we obey Him, Isaiah 53:10-12

L. It pleased the Lord to bruise Him because, through His death, He could bring many sons to glory.

M. We perpetuate His work when we make His soul and offering for our sin.

N. How do we make His soul and offering for sin? Hebrews 10:10-12 – Jesus’ death removed sins Hebrews 10:19-23 – We can be cleansed with the blood of Jesus by drawing near in faith and being washed. We become sons of God—“prolong His seed”—through obedience to Jesus, Hebrews 9:11-15; Galatians 3:26-27. When we obey the gospel and live faithfully for Him, He can “look upon the work of His soul and be satisfied.”

O. He died with sinners, to bear the sins of the sinners, and to save sinners.