The Promised Deliverer

Jesus has fulfilled the Old Testament messianic prophecies. Isaiah's prophesies give clear understanding that Jesus fulfilled what had been spoken concerning the One that would come and lead people to righteousness, godliness and secure life in God . Matthew 1:23. A virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. These followings are discussed: The deliverer is with Us; The deliverer Governs His People, and The deliverer Reigns Righteously.

The Deliverer is with Us: God had spoken through prophet Isaiah concerning His promised "Deliverer" who He would send for deliverance of His people. God revealed that the deliverer would be born by a virgin (Isaiah 7:14-16; Matthew 1:22-23). These prophesies clearly fulfilled the birth of Jesus, who was born by a virgin.

The revelations about the messiah were given with possible difficulty for the children of Israel to recognise him as the One sent by God. The Bible revealed that there would be confusion among the people. To some he would be a stepping stone to God's redemptive provision while to others he would be a stumbling block, a rock of offence for them to disbelieve and live in darkness, and even for their own destruction (Isaiah 8:14-15; Luke 20:17-18). Those who reject the Messiah reject God's offer of salvation and eternal life.

The Deliverer Governs His People: Jesus Christ is revealed as the "great light" described in the prophecy (Isaiah 9:2-5). Those who have seen the light are called out of the darkness to walk in the moral and spiritual light, the light of salvation. Jesus delivered the "true word" of God and described those living by it as "the Light" of the world (Matthew 4:12-16; 5:14-16). The word of God is also described as the light which reveals path of darkness and guides those willing out of the darkness.

Jesus is given as a Son with perfect nature of God (Isaiah 9:6-7). Continuing from his description as "a great light", other verses give the powerful description of the Messiah as the Son of God. He is given the following names: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace. As a Wonderful Counsellor Jesus has unquestionable wisdom. As a Mighty God, his mighty power will continue to work for God's people. Everlasting Father refers to the Father of eternity, the One who has authority over the creation. And as the Prince of Peace, the peace found in him has no bounds. He is still coming back to establish glorious millennium kingdom and will reign over all the earth with justice and equity. Then he shall put an end to social injustices and all people will live in peace.

The Deliverer Reigns Righteously. It was described that Messiah would be anointed by the Holy Spirit to do the work of God (Isaiah 11: 1-5). The prophesies show the roles Holy Spirit would play in the Messiah. These can be described as a couple of roles: anointing for wisdom and understanding; the spirit of counsel and might, and the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of God. The knowledge is about knowing the nature and character of God. Fear of God refers to reference of Him. Our Deliverer will give wise and divine counsel to those he governs. Godly wisdom and understanding refer to intellectual ability to know and discern hiding things. We should seek for Holy Spirit anointing for success in life and in the ministry.

It was also prophesied that God would restore the creation and will make Messiah the ruler of the renewed earth (Isaiah 11:6-9). God will redeem the creation and restore it to its original design for the messianic millennium rule. During the time there won't be any danger or threat to life any more. The renewed earth will be filled with the knowledge and of God (Numbers 14:21; Habakkuk 2:14) and everyone will know the Lord personally. In preparation for the coming kingdom we must know God personally and live a lifestyle that pleases Him. To God be the glory. Lesson texts: Isaiah 7:14-16; 8:14-15; 9:2-7; 11:1-9; Matthew 1:22-23; Luke 20:17-18.