The Messianic expectation in the Bible refers to the anticipation and hope for the arrival of a Messiah, a savior figure who is prophesied to bring redemption, salvation, and restoration to God's people. In the Old Testament, various prophecies and promises point to a future anointed one, a descendant of David, who will establish God's kingdom, rule with justice, and bring about a time of hope. In the New Testament the Messiah is revealed: Jesus Christ. Today we talk about three key Messianic prophecies of hope in the Old Testament.
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Genesis 3
Genesis 3:15 (NLT) And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”
- This is called the “protoevangelium”, the first mention of the gospel in Scripture
- Hostility: There will be a conflict between the descendants of the woman and the serpent.
- Spiritual warfare
- Sinful nature. Battling flesh vs spirit
- Offspring: A specific descendant of the woman will be instrumental in this conflict.
- Gen 12 starts to answer who this might be
- Genesis 12:3 (NLT) I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
- Gen 49 gives more clues (Jacob’s blessings on his sons)
- Genesis 49:10 (NLT) The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor.
- Rest of the Bible reveals his identity: Jesus
- You will strike his heel: cross
- He will strike your head: resurrection
- (Expositor's Bible Commentary: Abridged Edition (2 Volumes)) The point is that for the rest of his life, when the snake crawls on his belly, he will "eat dust," an expression of "total defeat" (cf. Isa 65:25; Mic 7:17).
- Isaiah 65:25 (NLT) The wolf and the lamb will feed together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. But the snakes will eat dust….
- Micah 7:17 (NLT) Like snakes crawling from their holes, they will come out to meet the LORD our God. They will fear him greatly, trembling in terror at his presence.
- The imagery is carried into the NT
- Romans 16:20 (NLT) The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
- Revelation 12:7-9 (NLT) Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.
Isaiah 7
Isaiah 7:14 (NLT) All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which...
