Day 208

Messianic Promises

Read: Isaiah 7-9

Throughout the Old Testament, a number of passages speak of a great deliverer whom God will send. They promise that the Messiah will come to save his people. From the perspective of the New Testament, we see many such passages in Isaiah.

Many messianic promises have a twofold fulfillment, one in the days of the prophet or shortly thereafter and the second in Jesus Christ. God gives wicked King Ahaz a sign that a young woman will bear a child, and before the child grows up, the prophecy made through Isaiah will be fulfilled. But a much more important fulfillment is in the virgin birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will be called Immanuel, which means “God with us.”

The northern province of Galilee was not an illustrious place, but the promise is that there “a great light” will shine. There was no greater light in the world than Christ, who grew up and had a great ministry in Galilee.

The promise is that a child will be born who will be called “Wonderful Counselor.” What wonderful advice Jesus gives us. He will be called “Mighty God” and we now know that Jesus is truly man and truly God. “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end” (9:7). Jesus is King of the kingdom of God, which shall continue forever.

PRAYER
Father, we thank you that the wonderful promises of the Old Testament are fulfilled in Jesus. In his name. Amen.