How can I identify messianic prophecies in the Old Testament?

Answer

By some counts, there are over 300 messianic prophecies in the Old Testament. That’s why in the New Testament, we often find statements like this: “These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled” «For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. », (John 19:36). Some messianic prophecies in the Old Testament are quite straightforward; others are more indirect. Here are some guidelines for identifying prophecies of the Messiah:

Study the Word. This should be self-evident, but in understanding the Bible, there is no substitute for actually reading the Bible and prayerfully seeking wisdom from above «If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. », (James 1:5). Some messianic prophecies in the Old Testament are explicitly identified as such by the prophets who recorded them. The term Messiah means “Anointed One” or “Chosen One,” and those designations are present in several prophecies. Daniel 9:25–26 is a significant prophecy concerning the Messiah’s death. Psalm 2:2 also mentions the Lord’s Anointed.

Naturally, context is crucial when interpreting Scripture. Not every mention of an “anointed one” in the Old Testament pertains to the promised Messiah. King Cyrus of Persia is referred to as God’s anointed one in Isaiah 45:1, as is King Saul in 1 Samuel 24:10; both of these kings were chosen by God for specific tasks, which is the underlying significance of being “anointed.”

David’s allusions to God’s anointed one in Psalm 132 exemplify how the title can carry a dual meaning. David implores, “For the sake of your servant David, do not reject your anointed one” «For thy serva

For David’s sake, do not turn away the face of your anointed.” (Psalm 132:10). Here, David refers to himself twice, identifying as God’s “servant” and God’s “anointed one”—David had been anointed by the prophet Samuel to be king. “Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brethren, and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.” (1 Samuel 16:13). However, the word David uses is the Hebrew term for “Messiah,” and Psalm 132:10 can be applied to Jesus Christ in the New Testament. What makes this passage even more intriguing is that immediately after mentioning David as the anointed one, Psalm 132 begins discussing the Messiah: one of David’s descendants will reign from the throne. “The LORD has sworn in truth to David; He will not turn from it; Of the fruit of your body, I will set upon your throne.” (Psalm 132:11). David’s dynasty will be everlasting (verse 12). Then, a revelation: the Lord Himself will reign from Zion eternally (verses 13–14); as King, the Lord will bring abundance, salvation, and joy (verses 15–16); this King from David will possess divine strength, and all His enemies will be vanquished (verses 17–18). Verse 17 also mentions God’s “anointed one.” When considering that the Messiah was often called “the Son of David” (see Matthew 22:42), Psalm 132 clearly emerges as a messianic prophecy. David, God’s anointed one, was assured that a superior Anointed One would occupy the throne of Zion forever.

Study the various titles of the Messiah. Some messianic prophecies in the Old Testament use different names for the Messiah. For instance, Isaiah 42: (Isaiah 42).

1 speaks of the Messiah as the “Servant” of the Lord. The prophecy of Numbers 24:17 calls the Messiah the “Star” that comes from Judah. In Isaiah 11:1, the Messiah is a “Branch” that bears much fruit. Often, the Messiah is presented in the Old Testament as a king who will rule in righteousness (see Isaiah 9:6-7; 32:1; Jeremiah 23:5; Zechariah 9:9).

Compare Scripture with Scripture. Some messianic prophecies in the Old Testament are identified by New Testament writers. Matthew is especially helpful in linking Old Testament prophecies to their fulfillment in the life of Christ. Jesus’ birth is the fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14 (cp: Matthew 1:18-23). Jesus’ flight to Egypt turns out to be the fulfillment of an indirect prophecy in Hosea 11:1 (cp: Matthew 2:15). Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem is linked to Zechariah 9:9 (cp: Matthew 21:1-5). Jesus’ death on the cross fulfilled many Old Testament prophecies, including Psalm 34:20 and Zechariah 12:10 (cp: John 19:31-37).

At times Jesus quoted a messianic prophecy and applied it to Himself. In the synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus read a messianic passage from Isaiah 61 and said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” «And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. », (Luke 4:21). Just before His arrest, Jesus quotes Zechariah 13:7, stating that the prophecy is about to be fulfilled «Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. »,(Matthew 26:31). He also quotes Isaiah 53:12 in Luke 22:37, and when we study the entirety of Isaiah 53, we discover that much of that chapter corresponds directly to Jesus’ suffering. When Jesus quotes an Old Testament passage and declares that He is its fulfillment, we can be certain that the passage was messianic.

At times, Jesus’ reference to a passage indicates that we are dealing with a messianic prophecy. For instance, while on the cross, Jesus exclaimed, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” «And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? », (Matthew 27:46). Interestingly, these are the exact words of Psalm 22:1. Upon examining Psalm 22, we find numerous details of the crucifixion: the ridicule Jesus faced (Psalm 22:7;cp: Matthew 27:38-44), Jesus’ thirst (Psalm 22:14;cp: John 19:28), the piercing of His hands and feet (Psalm 22:16;cp: John 20:20), and the gambling for His clothing (Psalm 22:18;cp: Luke 23:34). Jesus’ anguished cry acts as a guide leading us to a wealth of messianic prophecies in the Psalms.

Search for themes, similar situations, and corresponding details. Some messianic prophecies in the Old Testament manifest as types. The Old Testament sacrifices are clear types of the Messiah who would shed His blood for our sins. The temple’s lampstand, altar of incense, and table of showbread are also distinct types of Christ’s l

Light, intercession, and provision.

Joseph’s dreams of his family bowing down to him in Genesis 37 came true, even though Joseph’s brothers hated him. The rejection and eventual exaltation of Joseph can be seen as foreshadowing the rejection of Christ and His exaltation to the right hand of God. Similarly, Boaz’s actions in the book of Ruth can be interpreted as an indirect prophecy of the work of Christ on our behalf. The life of Joshua, so full of faith and victory, can also be seen as a precursor to Christ—especially when we consider that Joshua and Jesus are both forms of the same Hebrew name, Yeshua. Considering the stories of Joseph, Boaz, and Joshua as messianic “prophecies” requires a certain amount of inference, but it is not a misuse of Scripture to acknowledge parallels exist. Jesus Himself used elements of the story of Jonah as a prophecy of His resurrection (Luke 11:29-30).

Messianic prophecies involve some aspect of the Messiah’s nature, ministry, or associations. For instance, Genesis 3:15 predicts a serpent-crushing Savior who will be the “seed of the woman.” This prophecy hints at the virgin birth as well as Christ’s victory over Satan. Jeremiah 31:15 foretells Herod’s massacre of the children in Bethlehem (see Matthew 2:16-18). Additionally, Isaiah 35:5–6 prophesies that the Messiah would heal the blind, lame, and mute (cp: Luke 7:22).

On the road to Emmaus, Jesus told two of His disciples, “Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms” «And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. », (Luke 24:44). The wholThe Old Testament—Law, Prophets, and Writings—contains messianic prophecies. All of these prophecies “must” be fulfilled. The examination of prophecies and their fulfillment is truly the exploration of God’s faithfulness. Specifically, the messianic prophecies demonstrate God’s faithfulness in rescuing His people. This study is immensely fulfilling.