Today we will talk about Bible verses about the Messiah in the Old Testament. The concept of the Messiah has been a source of hope, expectation, and excitement throughout the scriptures. Many people often think of Jesus’ New Testament fulfillment, but the Old Testament holds numerous prophetic words about a coming Savior. As we journey through these verses, let’s immerse ourselves in the promises God made long ago, promising a Redeemer who would ultimately save His people. Be on the mode of meditation as we read through God’s Word.
Bible Verses About the Messiah in the Old Testament
Prophecy of a Coming King
In our exploration of Bible verses about the Messiah in the Old Testament, we first discover the many prophecies of a coming King. These verses express the anticipation and hope of the Jewish people for a leader who would bring forth justice, peace, and harmony. The idea of a King is central, as it symbolizes authority and power, leading the people toward salvation and restoration. We can reflect on how these prophecies shape our understanding of Jesus’ eventual arrival and kingship. Each of these verses reminds us not only of the promise but also of God’s unwavering faithfulness to His people throughout history.
Isaiah 9:6
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6
Micah 5:2
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” – Micah 5:2
Zechariah 9:9
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” – Zechariah 9:9
Isaiah 11:1
“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.” – Isaiah 11:1
Jeremiah 23:5
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.” – Jeremiah 23:5
Sufferings of the Servant
As we continue our journey through the Old Testament’s prophetic words, we can’t overlook the portrayal of the suffering servant — a significant theme in the context of the Messiah. These verses convey that the future deliverer would endure suffering, pain, and rejection on behalf of humanity. This understanding deepens our appreciation for the New Testament narrative and demonstrates how the victory of love is sometimes forged in the humble context of suffering. We recognize that through trials and challenges, God brings about redemption and hope, not only for Israel but for all of us.
Isaiah 53:5
“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5
Psalm 22:16
“For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet.” – Psalm 22:16
Isaiah 50:6
“I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.” – Isaiah 50:6
Isaiah 53:3
“He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” – Isaiah 53:3
Zechariah 12:10
“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child.” – Zechariah 12:10
Deliverance from Sin
Next, a vital aspect of the Messiah’s role in the Old Testament is connected to the promise of deliverance from sin. These scriptures imply that the coming Redeemer would address the root of humanity’s struggle: sinfulness that separates us from God. The beauty of this message is the assurance that our mistakes do not define us; rather, God graciously offers us freedom and forgiveness through the Messiah. We can uplift each other as we collectively grasp the depth of God’s love and the beautiful rescue plan that’s woven into the fabric of our faith.
Isaiah 61:1
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” – Isaiah 61:1
Daniel 9:24
“Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.” – Daniel 9:24
Jeremiah 31:34
“And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” – Jeremiah 31:34
Isaiah 53:11
“Out of the anguish of his soul, he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.” – Isaiah 53:11
Romans 5:8
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
Fulfillment of Prophecy
Another engaging aspect of the Messiah in the Old Testament is the fulfillment of prophecy. Each verse provides a snapshot of God’s plan meticulously woven through time. As we read these scriptures, we are reminded that God’s promises never fall short. The fact that Jesus fulfilled many of these prophecies gives us concrete evidence of God’s reliability. It’s encouraging to know that God is always working and moving, even if we may not always see it firsthand. Together, let’s search for His hand in our lives and recognize His consistent faithfulness.
Isaiah 7:14
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14
Genesis 12:3
“I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” – Genesis 12:3
Numbers 24:17
“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.” – Numbers 24:17
Isaiah 53:10
“Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.” – Isaiah 53:10
Psalm 110:1
“The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.'” – Psalm 110:1
The Role of the Lamb
The imagery of the lamb throughout the Old Testament holds immense significance when discussing the Messiah. The lamb symbolizes sacrifice and atonement, resonating through stories like that of the Passover and the sacrificial ceremonies. This powerful representation indicates that the Messiah would be the ultimate Lamb, covering sin with His sacrificial love. As we learn about this aspect, we can feel a profound gratitude that God designed a plan for redemption through the innocent, sacrificial Lamb, and we can celebrate the mercy that flows from such love.
Exodus 12:21-22
“Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, ‘Go and select lambs for yourselves according to your clans, and kill the Passover lamb.’” – Exodus 12:21-22
Isaiah 53:7
“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.” – Isaiah 53:7
John 1:29
“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'” – John 1:29
Leviticus 17:11
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.” – Leviticus 17:11
Isaiah 53:10
“Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt…” – Isaiah 53:10
The Promise of Salvation
Amidst the many hopes woven into the fabric of the Old Testament, the promise of salvation shines brightly through the messages about the Messiah. This salvation is not merely a temporal rescue; it is an eternal one – transcending time and reminding us that God desires an everlasting relationship with each of us. The beauty embedded in these verses illuminates our paths, encouraging us to trust in the hope of salvation He offers through the Messiah. As we reflect on these promises, we can take heart in knowing God’s plans for us are imbued with love and purpose.
Joel 2:32
“And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved… ” – Joel 2:32
Isaiah 49:6
“He says: ‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.'” – Isaiah 49:6
Isaiah 25:9
“It will be said on that day, ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.'” – Isaiah 25:9
Psalm 38:22
“Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!” – Psalm 38:22
Isaiah 60:1
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” – Isaiah 60:1
The New Covenant
As we explore the Old Testament verses about the Messiah, it’s vital to highlight the message of a New Covenant. This promise signifies a fresh start, indicating that God would transform hearts and establish a new relationship with His people. The Old Covenant was based on law and sacrifice, but the New Covenant brings grace and love. Our understanding of this transition helps us appreciate the role of Jesus more deeply, as He not only fulfills the Old Covenant but also solidifies a new, personal relationship with God. In recognizing this New Covenant, we can embrace the gift of grace that frees us to live fully in His love.
Jeremiah 31:31
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.” – Jeremiah 31:31
Ezekiel 36:26
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” – Ezekiel 36:26
Isaiah 55:3
“Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.” – Isaiah 55:3
Luke 22:20
“And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.'” – Luke 22:20
Hebrews 8:13
“In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” – Hebrews 8:13
The Hope of Eternal Life
Lastly, the Old Testament provides a beautiful glimpse into the hope of eternal life through the Messiah. These verses reveal that the coming Redeemer not only offers salvation but also promises us eternity with God. As we embrace this hope, we can understand more about God’s nature and His desire for us to thrive in a loving relationship that extends beyond this life. Together, we can foster that eternal perspective, which fills our hearts with joy and assurance knowing that faith in the Messiah secures our everlasting relationship with God.
Isaiah 26:19
“Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead.” – Isaiah 26:19
Daniel 12:2
“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” – Daniel 12:2
Isaiah 65:17
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.” – Isaiah 65:17
Psalm 16:10
“For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.” – Psalm 16:10
Isaiah 61:3
“To grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.” – Isaiah 61:3
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on the profound prophecies and promises of the Old Testament concerning the Messiah, we recognize God’s desire to communicate His love and redemption plan to each of us. Each verse provides insight into the future hope of salvation, drawing us closer to understanding the heart of God. Through the imagery of a King, a suffering servant, and the prophetic words of Isaiah and others, we see the picture of a loving Savior who would ultimately come to redeem humanity.
In embracing this truth, I am reminded that our faith is built on the assurance of God’s character and the promises He fulfilled through Jesus. No matter what we face, we can hold firmly onto the truth that we are loved and saved by grace. My prayer is that as we assimilate these messages, we feel a renewed sense of hope and belonging in God’s family.
Let’s carry this understanding of the Old Testament Messiah with us and share it with others, inviting them to discover the love, hope, and joy found in Christ. Together, we journey in faith, continuously experiencing the depths of God’s goodness and grace.
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4
