CHRIST IN ISAIAH

We will mine some gold nuggets from the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament. Isaiah was an outstanding Hebrew prophet. He gives by inspiration of the Holy Spirit the most perfect picture of the coming Messiah of any of the great Jewish prophets. There is so much material that it would be impossible to cover it in one article, so I will just hit some high marks. Starting with the prophecy of our Lord’s birth.

Ch. 7:14 – This comforting sign was given to Ahaz of the house of David. It extended far beyond the time of Ahaz, relating a promise to the kingly line of David. It is a certain sign from the Lord Himself. “Behold, a virgin (one that has not known a man) shall conceive and bear a son. And shall call His Name Immanuel – meaning ‘God with us.’” The only possible fulfillment is found in Mt. 1 and Lk. 1. Mary a virgin conceived of the Holy Ghost, and gave birth to God’s only begotten Son.

Ch. 9:2 - The fulfillment is recorded in Mt. 4:14-17, “the people which sat in darkness saw great light…them which sat in the shadow of death light is sprung up.” Also in Jn. 1:4, – “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.” Jesus said of Himself in Jn. 8:12, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

9:6-7 – This is an expansion of the meaning of “Immanuel” – here He is spoken of as a gift – “for unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” The child grows into manhood and His nature and character is revealed in these titles. He possesses eternity, and is loving, tender, compassionate an all wise instructor and provider. Did not the heavenly host proclaim at His birth (Lk. 2:14), “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward man.” He will bring peace to Israel and to the nations in the future. But to everyone who receives Him, has the peace that only He can give. In Eph. 2:13-14 we read, “In Christ Jesus we who were far off (from God), are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace.

Ch. 11:1 – Jesus is the green shout from the family of Jesse of the house of David. Mt. 1:23 says, He dwelt in the city of Nazareth and was called a Nazarene which means natzer, a branch, a preservative branch. V. 2 – His anointing with the Spirit was when He was baptized for His public ministry by John the Baptist, Mt. 3:13-17. These powers and virtues made Him of quick understanding with spiritual discernment.

 Vs. 3-5 - He will not judge by mere appearance or on hearsay, but with righteousness on behalf of the poor, the meek and the humble. We read over and over in the gospels how He knew their hearts. Before peace is established on earth, He shall smite the earth…and slay the wicked.” The ungodly that have rejected God’s salvation will be judged and II Thess. 2 tells of the man of sin, the Antichrist and the false prophet whose coming is after the working of Satan. It says they shall be consumed with the spirit of His mouth and shall be destroyed with the brightness of the Lord’s coming. Rev. 19:20 tells us, both the beast, Antichrist and false prophet  shall be cast alive into the like of fire.

Ch. 42:1-9 – Here we view Christ as the blesser of Israel and the Savior of Gentiles. It is He whom the Lord calls “My Servant.” He assumed His Servant character to fulfill His Father’s will on earth, which is described in Phil. 2:7-9. There we read though He was equal with God, He made Himself of no reputation and took the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men. He humbled Himself further and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. We learn in Acts 2:23 He was chosen in the eternal counsels of God before the foundation of the world to be our propitiation (our atoning sacrifice). For the nation of Israel all will be made true in a day to come when a remnant receives their Messiah.

Ch. 52:13 – Again we read, “Behold, My Servant,” shall deal prudently, describing His life on earth in all He said and did with its prosperous effects (His resurrection His ascension and position at the Father’s right hand). Phil. 2:9, “Wherefore or because of His obedient death on the cross, God hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name above every name.” V. 14 – Oh the disfigurement inflicted on Him, it is no wonder He said in Ps. 22:6, “I am a worm and no man.” And in V. 17 of that Psalm, “I may tell all My bones; they look and stare upon Me.” V. 15 – In a coming day, He shall “startle” (is the meaning not sprinkle) many nations and kings. They shall tremble and be speechless at the reality of His manifestation.

Ch. 53:1 – As a nation, Israel persistently refused to believe. V. 2 – He grew up before His Father as a tender plant, a sprouting root out of a dry ground (that natzer). The Father voiced His approval when He was baptized, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” As to His natural appearance it was not anything that attracted people to Him. On the contrary – V. 3 – They hid their faces from Him, esteeming Him as nothing. He didn’t look like the Messiah they expected. V. 4 -This records the depths of remorse they will recall when He is revealed to them. The remnant will deeply confess, His sufferings were not as they supposed, for they thought He was smitten of God for His own sins and for blasphemy, saying He was God’s Son. The word “Surely” marks their changed attitude. Surely He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” A thought they had not considered, He bore in His own Person sufferings which were other than His own. V. 5 – Wounded and bruised describes a violent death. The word “our” is stressed. For the chastisement He suffered by God was that which makes for our peace. Then we read, “And with His strips we are healed” not the Roman scourging, but the stroke of Divine judgment inflicted on Him. V. 6 – In their repentance they admit the tremendous fact, “Jehovah hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” V. 7 – He was treated unsparingly, Yet He opened not His mouth, suffering voluntarily. Meek as a Lamb to the slaughter. Jn. 1:29 - John seeing Jesus said, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” He was the Passover Lamb of God. V. 8 – An unrighteous judicial verdict was passed and they led Him to Calvary. Cut off out of the land of the living (stressing the stroke He endured for His people). V. 9 – “he had done no violence” the sinless Lamb dying for sinners. God saw to it, He was not buried in a criminal’s grave, as the Romans’s would have done. Joseph, a rich man laid Jesus in his own new tomb, Mt. 27:60. Vs. 10-12 – This speaks of Jehovah’s dealings with Him judicially concerning His death and His reward. He willingly surrendered His life to meet God’s righteous demands for the sins of man; and He is compensated. “He shall see His seed,” speaking of Christ’s exceeding joy of seeing the countless multitude of His spiritual posterity from among mankind (both Jew and Gentile). “He shall prolong His days” reminds me of Christ’s words in Rev. 1:18, “I was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore.” “The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand” – points not only to His High Priestly work, but also the exercise of His authority and power in His Kingdom. The Sept. renders V. 12, “I will give Him the mighty for a portion. The thought is not of dividing but of assigning. Those who by reason of faithfulness to His will are sharers in His authority when His Kingdom is established. It is all because of His atoning sacrifice. The establishing of His sovereign power in the earth, rests, upon the finished work. All future glory, all rewards to the faithful are because He poured out His soul unto death and was numbered with the transgressors, baring the sins of many and making intercession for the transgressors even while nailed to the cross. 

61:1-3 – Jesus read this passage in the synagogue and closing the book, announced “To-day hath this Scripture been fulfilled in by our ears” – Lk. 4:16-21. Rom. 8:28,it is He who turns our sorrows into joy. He will bring about this change in Israel in a coming day. They shall be called “trees of righteousness. It will not be their doing, it will be “the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.

63:1-6 – This portrays a dialogue between the redeemed remnant of Israel and the Lord. When Christ intervenes to overthrow the Gentile nations under the Antichrist; the remnant will ask, Who is this that comes in the greatness of His strength? Rev. 19:11-16 we read of His coming as the mighty Conqueror leading His heavenly armies. He comes to put down all rule and authority for He must reign (I Cor. 15:24-25). Then He shall rule, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

32:1-5 – This depicts the Millennial reign of Christ and of those who rule under Him. His full supply & provisions are on display (His protecting power and care as God as well as the sympathy and compassion of humanity). The God-Man will be the testimony of all.

Isaiah takes us from His birth to His millennial reign.
–-  E. J. Davis