Christ in Isaiah: The Messiah

The last 17 books in the Old Testament of our Bible are classified as prophetic.  The first five are considered the major prophets, and the last twelve are considered the minor prophets.  Isaiah is the first of these prophetic books.  Most Biblical scholars agree that the entire book was written by Isaiah between 740 and 680 B.C.  The more I study the Old Testament, the more amazed I am at its accuracy in describing events that occurred centuries after its writing.  Isaiah is probably the most fascinating for that reason, since Isaiah wrote so much about Christ, seven centuries before He was born.  You might have a difficult time thinking about the ancient historical world of Isaiah and, over 700 years later, the birth of Christ.  But imagine someone living 700 years ago, 178 years before Christopher Columbus sailed his boats from Spain to the New World predicting who the President of the United States of America would be today.  Imagine that person telling his friends that this president was to be born in a place called Hawaii.  178 years before Columbus no one in Europe knew about an island called Hawaii, and certainly there was not an office of President in a land called The United States of America.  If you still have difficulty wrapping your head around that improbability, try to predict what you will be doing at this time on this date next year with any accuracy!  Now multiply that by 700 years!  But that is just what Isaiah did.

I won’t go into all that Isaiah preached to the people of Judah, but I will encourage you to read the entire book for yourself.  You will see that his people had turned away from God, and that Isaiah warned them that God would not let their rebellion go unpunished.  He warned of a coming time of judgment and national defeat.  But he also prophesied about the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.  That is where I will focus as I continue exposing the Thread that binds the entire Bible together – the Scarlet Thread of Jesus Christ and His love for us and His redemptive blood sacrifice that covers all our sin.

· The Messiah will be born of a virgin.

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. . .And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. (Luke 1:26-27, 31)

· The Messiah will be a descendant of David, an heir to his throne.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (Luke 1:32-33)

(See also the genealogies of Christ in Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-31)

· The Messiah’s wisdom will confound those who think they are wise, and He will give rest to the weary.

The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. (Isaiah 50:4)

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

· The Messiah will be rejected by His own people.

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3)

He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (John 1:11)

· The Messiah will be obedient to God the Father, even unto death.

The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. (Isaiah 50:5)

And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matthew 26:39)

· The Messiah will be silent when questioned by His accusers.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)

Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. (Luke 23:9)

· The Messiah will be beaten, disfigured, and spat upon.

I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. (Isaiah 50:6)

Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, (Matthew 26:67)

· The Messiah will take the punishment for our sins.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4-5)

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 9:12)

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:10)

· The Messiah will be killed alongside evil men and buried in the tomb of a wealthy man.

And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; (Isaiah 53:9a)

And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. (Mark 15:27)

When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple. . .And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. (Matthew 27:57, 59-60)

These are only a handful of the many, many ways Isaiah precisely described the birth, ministry, death, and burial of Jesus Christ, Our Messiah, so very many years before His coming to walk this Earth.  I hope you will study Isaiah for yourself.  If you are new to studying the Bible, I would suggest you use a good commentary to help you in your study.  As with most prophecy, it can be somewhat confusing at times, especially because the biblical writers do not always write in a linear, chronological way as we are more accustomed.  But if you will take the time to study, I know you will be blessed by what you read.

My prayer for us this week is from the 10^th and the 18^th verses in Isaiah.  We live in a time that is not that different from Isaiah’s time.  We sometimes need to be reminded of who God is and how He wants us to listen to Him and obey Him.  So join with me as I pray for myself and for you:

Dear God, (Help us to) hear the word of the Lord. . .; give (us) ears unto the law of our God. . . though (my) sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool, (because Jesus Christ, Messiah, paid the price for my sin with His precious blood.)  Amen.

Christ in Song of Solomon: Our Beloved

Much has been written about the last poetic book of the Bible, Song of Solomon, and much controversy surrounds it.  For centuries theologians have questioned its meaning and whether it is allegorical, metaphorical, or literal.  I will certainly not settle any of those debates here, nor will I attempt to.  I will, however, as simply as possible, and in as few words as possible, tell you what I hear God saying to me through this beautiful, passionate piece of ancient literature.

In short, I believe that this song is all three – literal because Solomon wrote the book as a beautiful tribute from a loving husband to his wife; metaphorical because Solomon was writing about the love relationship between himself and his bride as a tribute to her, not to tantalize or scintillate the reader; and allegorical because the natural, pure, Godly marriage relationship was created by God to be a picture of Christ’s relationship with his bride, the church.  The first two forms of writing are fairly clear and easy to understand. Even if we don’t understand some of the metaphors used (for instance, comparing the woman’s eyes to doves and her hair to goats – chapter 4, verse 1), and even if the change in voice (from Solomon to the Shulamite - which means "wife of Solomon") is sometimes confusing, we can still hear what their hearts were saying, “How beautiful you are, my love; how perfect you are!” (SOS 4:7).  But to understand the allegory, to find Christ in Song of Solomon, consider the following:

·   The Shulamite longed for a relationship with Solomon, just as every human ever created has a need for an intimate relationship with God.

Your lips cover me with kisses; your love is better than wine. There is a fragrance about you; the sound of your name recalls it. No woman could keep from loving you. Take me with you, and we'll run away; be my king and take me to your room. We will be happy together, drink deep, and lose ourselves in love. No wonder all women love you! (SOS 1:2-4)

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer! In despair and far from home I call to you! Take me to a safe refuge, for you are my protector, my strong defense against my enemies. Let me live in your sanctuary all my life; let me find safety under your wings. (Psalm 61:1-4)

All of creation waits with eager longing for God to reveal his children. (Romans 8:19)

·   The Shulamite recognized her own unworthiness.  She was weary, and her skin was damaged from hard work in the sun.  In the same way, we must recognize our own sinful nature and understand that we cannot work to gain a relationship with God.

Don't look down on me because of my color, because the sun has tanned me. My brothers were angry with me and made me work in the vineyard. I had no time to care for myself. (SOS 1:6)

Everyone has sinned and is far away from God's saving presence. (Romans 3:23)

For we conclude that a person is put right with God only through faith, and not by doing what the Law commands. (Romans 3:28)

·   Just as Solomon longed for a relationship with the Shulamite, Christ longs for a relationship with us.

I have entered my garden, my sweetheart, my bride. I am gathering my spices and myrrh; I am eating my honey and honeycomb; I am drinking my wine and milk. . . While I slept, my heart was awake. I dreamed my lover knocked at the door. (SOS 5:1a, 2)

Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if any hear my voice and open the door, I will come into their house and eat with them, and they will eat with me. (Revelation 3:20)

·    As in any human relationship, there must have been ups and downs between Solomon and the Shulamite.  She not only slept, but made excuses for not allowing him into the bedchamber.  She was still his wife, but their relationship was not as deep and fulfilling as it could have been.  When Christ pursues a relationship with us, sometimes it seems any excuse will do.  Even those of us who have accepted His free gift of salvation sometimes forfeit a deeper, richer relationship with Him because we make excuses, not allowing Him to have His will in every area of our lives.

I have already undressed; why should I get dressed again? I have washed my feet; why should I get them dirty again? (SOS 5:3)

Other people are like the seeds sown among the thorn bushes. These are the ones who hear the message, but the worries about this life, the love for riches, and all other kinds of desires crowd in and choke the message, and they don't bear fruit. (Mark 4:18-19)

But this is what I have against you: you do not love me now as you did at first. (Revelation 2:4)

·   Just as the bridegroom tired of knocking and left, Jesus will not knock on the door of one’s heart forever.  He is a Gentleman and will not force down the door. Oh, the sorrow some will face on the Day of Judgment when they realize that they should have answered that knock on the door, but then it will be too late!

I opened the door for my lover, but he had already gone. How I wanted to hear his voice! I looked for him, but couldn't find him; I called to him, but heard no answer.  (SOS 5:6)

Turn to the Lord and pray to him, now that he is near. (Isaiah 55:6)

Listen! This is the hour to receive God's favor; today is the day to be saved! (2 Corinthians 6:2b)

·    And finally, as the woman repents and returns to her lover, when we repent and make Jesus Christ Lord of every area of our lives, we are able to bear much fruit.  We are to not only rely on what he has done for us in the past (old treasure), but we are to continue bearing fruit for as long as we live (new treasure).

I belong to my lover, and he desires me. . . You can smell the scent of mandrakes, and all the pleasant fruits are near our door. Darling, I have kept for you the old delights and the new. (SOS 7:10, 13)

You will know them by what they do. Thorn bushes do not bear grapes, and briers do not bear figs. A healthy tree bears good fruit, but a poor tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a poor tree cannot bear good fruit. (Matthew 7:16-18)

Then he said to them, “Therefore, every legal expert who has been trained as a disciple for the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings old and new things out of their treasure chest.” (Matthew 13:52)

My prayer for you and for me this week is taken from Song of Solomon 2:14 and 16 (King James Version):

“Let me hear Thy voice (Dear Jesus); for sweet is Thy voice.   My Beloved is mine, and I am His!”

Unless otherwise noted, all scripture is from Good News Translation.

Christ in Ecclesiastes: Our Wisdom

There is probably no other book in the Bible that is as timeless as Ecclesiastes.  As I read it today, it seemed to me like it could have been written by someone living in 2014, not Solomon, the wisest man to ever live.  In it, Solomon talks about the futility of life, its injustices, and its brevity.

When I observed all that happens under the sun, I realized that everything is pointless, a chasing after wind. (Ecclesiastes 1:14)

I saw something else under the sun: in the place of justice, there was wickedness; and in the place of what was right, there was wickedness again! (Ecclesiastes 3:16)

Because who knows what’s good for human beings during life, during their brief pointless life, which will pass away like a shadow? Who can say what the future holds for people under the sun? (Ecclesiastes 6:12)

At first glance Ecclesiastes appears to be quite depressing.  And to anyone who has not recognized the sovereignty, power, and eternal nature of God, it will be depressing.  For you see, Solomon, the wealthiest man to ever live, came to the end of his life realizing that no matter how much wealth he amassed, no matter how much wisdom he passed on to his sons, no matter how magnificent his houses were, these were not the means to true happiness.  He also realized that even if he did find happiness in all those things, when he died he could not take his things with him to the grave.  None of those things had any eternal value.

I have seen a sickening tragedy under the sun: people hoard their wealth to their own detriment. Then that wealth is lost in a bad business venture so that when they have children, they are left with nothing. Just as they came from their mother’s womb naked, naked they’ll return, ending up just like they started. All their hard work produces nothing—nothing they can take with them. (Ecclesiastes 5:13-15)

I don’t believe Solomon was as depressed as this book might make him appear to be.  I believe that Solomon knew the source of his wisdom.  He remembered all his life the prayer that he prayed as a young man, just after he was crowned king over Israel.  He asked God for wisdom, and God was pleased with his prayer.  God granted him wisdom just as he asked, but in addition to that, God granted him wealth and worldwide fame and power.  God’s word tells us that Jesus Christ is The Wisdom of God.

But we preach Christ crucified, which is a scandal to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. But to those who are called—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is God’s power and God’s wisdom. (1 Corinthians 1:23-24)

Throughout Ecclesiastes, Solomon contrasts a futile, hopeless, senseless life “under the sun” with the wisdom and promise of eternal life and eternal satisfaction with God, “under the Son.”

There’s nothing better for human beings than to eat, drink, and experience pleasure in their hard work. I also saw that this is from God’s hand— Who can eat and find enjoyment otherwise? — because God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please God. (Ecclesiastes 4:24-26a)

I have observed the task that God has given human beings. God has made everything fitting in its time, but has also placed eternity in their hearts, without enabling them to discover what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:10-11)

I know that whatever God does will last forever; it’s impossible to add to it or take away from it. God has done this so that people are reverent before him. (Ecclesiastes 3:14)

Although throughout the book he continued to give nuggets of wise advice, Solomon concluded by saying that he could fill scroll after scroll with wise sayings, but it would only be wearisome to anyone who studied them.  He summed up all his wisdom in the last two verses of this perplexing book:

So this is the end of the matter; all has been heard. Worship God and keep God’s commandments because this is what everyone must do. God will definitely bring every deed to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or bad.

In today’s vernacular, one might say, “The bottom line is this:  Worship God.  Obey God.  Because God will judge everything and everyone, good or bad.” 

Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, knew that all wisdom is summed up in God.  James, the brother of Jesus wrote, “But anyone who needs wisdom should ask God, whose very nature is to give to everyone without a second thought, without keeping score. Wisdom will certainly be given to those who ask.” (James 1:5)

Do you recognize the awesome, mighty, sovereign nature of God?  Have you made Jesus Christ Lord of your life?  Or are you living life on your own terms, depending on your own wisdom?  Solomon said that is like chasing the wind.  He wrote in Proverbs 1:7, “Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  And as wise as he was, he knew that he could never even come close to understanding the things of God.  He understood what God told the prophet, Isaiah:

My plans aren’t your plans, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my plans than your plans. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

My prayer for you and for me this week is adapted from 1 Corinthians 2:16:

Dear Heavenly Father,
Who has known the mind of the Lord, who will advise Him?  But (give us) the mind of Christ.

All Scripture is from the Common English Bible