Reflection on the Messiah
Essay Reflection on the Messiah
CG–5302 (Old Testament)
The theocracy of ancient Palestine involved a tribal confederation / commonwealth of chiefs with God as the ruler of the people. Tribes joined together in times of emergency or war; however, there was no clear leader among the chieftains, and leadership was often contested. So, the Hebrew people began to look towards their neighbors as an example, and thus came to desire a king for Israel. The prophet Samuel “was displeased when they asked for a king to judge them” (1 Samuel 8:6) – however the Lord consented; “It is not you they reject, they are rejecting me as their king” (1 Samuel 8:7). So, Samuel anointed Saul as the first King of Israel… however, Saul strayed from God’s will and was replaced by David. The example of Saul was an overview of Israelite history: he was called to greatness, but chose to disobey God and was made to suffer the consequences of disobedience.
David was chosen by Yahweh to lead the Israelites, made Jerusalem the seat of his kingdom, and is considered the greatest king of Israel. In 2 Samuel 7:8-16, the prophet Nathan tells David that the LORD has promised to give him the following: 1) David’s descendants will rule after him, 2) God will establish a spirit of adoption, implying a son-ship with to God, 3) the royal line will continue forever unconditionally. The prophet Micah affirms that a new king will come from David’s house to rule forever; he will shepherd his flock and “he shall be peace” (5:4a). Micah’s message of hope is that, if there is an invasion by Assyria, the people will not be abandoned and they will be delivered.
However, it is the prophet Isaiah who has the most to say about the Messiah. Through his prophecies about the “suffering servant” we are given a much different glimpse of the Messiah; he will not be a strong political leader or powerful military general, but a saving figure who is a wise and just peace-maker. This would have been a much
CG–5302 (Old Testament)
The theocracy of ancient Palestine involved a tribal confederation / commonwealth of chiefs with God as the ruler of the people. Tribes joined together in times of emergency or war; however, there was no clear leader among the chieftains, and leadership was often contested. So, the Hebrew people began to look towards their neighbors as an example, and thus came to desire a king for Israel. The prophet Samuel “was displeased when they asked for a king to judge them” (1 Samuel 8:6) – however the Lord consented; “It is not you they reject, they are rejecting me as their king” (1 Samuel 8:7). So, Samuel anointed Saul as the first King of Israel… however, Saul strayed from God’s will and was replaced by David. The example of Saul was an overview of Israelite history: he was called to greatness, but chose to disobey God and was made to suffer the consequences of disobedience.
David was chosen by Yahweh to lead the Israelites, made Jerusalem the seat of his kingdom, and is considered the greatest king of Israel. In 2 Samuel 7:8-16, the prophet Nathan tells David that the LORD has promised to give him the following: 1) David’s descendants will rule after him, 2) God will establish a spirit of adoption, implying a son-ship with to God, 3) the royal line will continue forever unconditionally. The prophet Micah affirms that a new king will come from David’s house to rule forever; he will shepherd his flock and “he shall be peace” (5:4a). Micah’s message of hope is that, if there is an invasion by Assyria, the people will not be abandoned and they will be delivered.
However, it is the prophet Isaiah who has the most to say about the Messiah. Through his prophecies about the “suffering servant” we are given a much different glimpse of the Messiah; he will not be a strong political leader or powerful military general, but a saving figure who is a wise and just peace-maker. This would have been a much