Messianic Prophecies in Isaiah

Introduction: Isaiah is quoted second to the Psalms in the New Testament. A part of approximately 47 of the 66 chapters in Isaiah are either directly quoted or alluded to in the New Testament. 

Isaiah 4:2 The idea of a root of David first appears in II Samuel 23:5 and was later picked up by Jeremiah and Zechariah. Isaiah made it clear that Jesus would not only be a child of Mary, but He would also be a branch of Yahweh, of the Lord, the covenant God of Israel. 

Isaiah declared the Promised One would include the concept of His humanity. The expression “fruit of the land” came initially from Numbers and Deuteronomy and carried the idea of that which springs forth from the earth, that is from mankind and in the case of the Messiah. We know from the New Testament that the one whose birth we celebrate at Christmas had to be both God to offer a sacrifice sufficient for all of our sins but also man so as to properly represent us on the cross. 

Isaiah 4:2 also noted that this promised one will be “beautiful,” “glorious,” the “pride” and “glory” of those who follow Him, those who are redeemed from the otherwise inevitable judgment that will befall them because of their sins. 

Isaiah 7:14: In order to be both man and God a miracle is needed, the miracle of the incarnation. To accomplish that Matthew recorded that a virgin named Mary was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit and conceived a child who was God incarnate. It took a miracle for God to become like us and still remain God. It took a virgin birth to produce the Messiah who would be both God with us and man like us so that He could become our redeemer.

Isaiah 9:6, 7 This promise records what the Messiah would do as the promised one of God. Isaiah was looking ahead under the inspiration of God to the day when Satan, our real enemy, would be contained and no longer a threat to us. Then the sins that now so easily beset us will no longer be a threat because we have been given victory over them. Isaiah called him the “Wonder-Counselor” or the one come from God who will lead His people in all wisdom and in a righteous rule. Then Isaiah called him the “Almighty God,” that is God Himself with all of God’s power and thus able to give victory over sin and death as well as victory over sin in our lives. He would be to us like an “Eternal Father” and one needs only consider the many traits of a good father from providing for his children to protecting, caring for, and loving them to appreciate this picture. Finally, Isaiah wrote He would be known as the “Prince of Peace.” The Messiah would bring peace with God, the peace that sinners desperately need. 

Isaiah 30:19-21: Isaiah was promising a Messiah who would be a teacher to the people. In Matthew 17:5 we read that God said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” The baby born in a manger 2000 years ago grew up to be the One who would speak the things of God to us in a special way. He would be the one who would make His nature and His will known to us as no other could ever have done. 

Jesus did not come to give us a holiday and make us feel all nice and happy. He came to confront sin. He came to provide a redemption from sin. He came to teach us how to live as those who are once again in a right, peaceful relationship with God.