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The long-awaited Messiah has come!
Have you ever waited for something that you desperately desired? Maybe you can’t wait to tear open those gifts under the tree because you have been waiting all year for something specific and unique.
Or maybe you can remember a time in your past when you had to wait a long time for something you really wanted. Some of you had to work your tail off to save up for your first car, years of sacrificing instant gratification so that you could have your freedom chariot. Do you remember the day you earned that final dollar and your dream could finally come true?
Or maybe you spent decades searching and praying for the right spouse, but each time you went on a date, you realized that person wasn’t right for you. One failed attempt led to dozens, and maybe you even gave up hope that you would find the right one, but then… at long last, that person came. And after all those years of searching and heartbreak, your wedding day finally came. If that is you, do you remember the sheer joy of experiencing that ultimate fulfillment?
Love will do that. Love will give you a perseverance you never thought you had. Love is a lot of things. Just read 1 Corinthians 13. We’ve just described love from our perspectives, but there are many ways the Bible also describes God’s love, and one of those divine qualities is steadfastness. Psalm 136 speaks of God’s steadfast love in literally all 26 verses. This type of love is called חֶ֫סֶד (ḥesed 2), loyal love — an unfailing kind of love, kindness, or goodness; often used of God’s love that is related to faithfulness to his covenant.[1]
Today, as we celebrate Advent and hone in on the aspect of love, I want to paint a portrait of God’s hesed – or loyal, enduring, steadfast love, and I want to do that in a unique way. It is easy for us to take Jesus’ birth for granted because we live 2,000 years after the fact. We can flip through the pages of Old Testament scripture and get excited when we see a prophecy here and there, but it would have been a struggle, to say the least, to wait for him. It would have been an amazing display of patience and hesed on God’s part to endure consistent rejection and disloyalty from His people, all while He designed the pathway to their Messiah’s coming.
To do this, I want to take a walk through time together to see Israel’s past and the settings in which some of the most well-known prophecies were given. In reality, the first-ever prophecy of our redeemer actually comes from Genesis 3:15, and is called the Protoevangelium, or the first announcement of the gospel, and states:
Genesis 3:15 ESV
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
I say that so we can appreciate and savor the truth that God provided a savior from the very beginning. But, for today’s sermon, I want to begin with the promise of a successor for King David’s throne and travel 1,000 years to the first Christmas morning. In doing so, I pray we can gain a sense of awe and appreciation for God’s steadfast love on display behind the Anticipation of the Coming King.
Prophecy of David’s Heir
Date Range: 1,000 – 965 BC
Events of Israel: Israel has wandered through the wilderness, fought and defeated pagan nations, and settled in the land God promised Abraham. Though God had been their King and Ruler until then, Israel looked at the nations around them, envying their human rulers, so they asked God for a human King. God granted their request, though it came with a stern warning. Saul was established as the first human King of Israel, and after a lot of ups and downs, he was rejected by God, and David eventually ascended to the throne.
During his reign, Israel enjoyed autonomy, and the future looked bright. Though imperfect, the man after God’s own heart is on the throne and has been told that his son Solomon will construct a temple for the Lord, and there will be peace in the land.
But, as wonderful as that news is, the successor of his throne will go well beyond Solomon. One of the eventual successors will establish the Davidic throne for all time:
2 Samuel 7:12–13 ESV
12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
(Fulfilled in Luke 1:30-33)
Fast forward about 260 years…
Prophecy of Isaiah
Date Range: 739 – 685 BC
Events of Israel: Solomon’s reign brought peace to the land, but that peace did not last long. The lineage of Kings that would produce Israel’s eternal Ruler had bad fruit. As the throne passed from David to his son, Solomon, calamity struck. Soon after Solomon’s reign, the Kingdom split (Israel to the north and Judah to the south), and a long succession of wicked kings led these kingdoms into wickedness and rebellion. As a result, they would experience God’s judgment through conflict with their northern neighbors — the Assyrians. War and judgment had come to God’s people, which was an outcome God warned them about when they asked for a human king instead of abiding in His rule.
And yet, even in Israel’s rebellion and pending judgment, promises were given to them that they would not be destroyed entirely but would be restored. And, not only would they be restored, but God would come to his people through a virgin as a son who would be the Eternal Ruler to reign on David’s throne.
Isaiah 7:14 ESV
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 9:6–7 ESV
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. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
(fulfilled Matt 1:18-24)
During the same time frame, God spoke through other prophets concerning judgment and prophecy.
Prophecy of Micah
Date Range: 737-690 BC
State of God’s people: One of those prophets is Micah, who lived in Moresheth, about 22 miles southwest of Jerusalem. While Isaiah was giving details about the identity of this Davidic King who would rule forever, Micah was also prophesying. Like Isaiah, he explained Israel’s guilt and God’s righteous judgment being carried out through the Assyrians and Babylonians.
But, alongside the prophecies of judgment, Micah also gave further details about Immanuel — geographical information and his origins.
Micah 5:2 ESV
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.
(fulfillment Matt. 2:6/John 7:42)
This gives us a fuller picture of this Ruler. His origins are ancient… from the days of old, and yet, his throne will last forever into the future. He will be a son given to us through a virgin (through miraculous means) and will be God Himself (Immanuel/Mighty God) who will be found in Bethlehem. That is a very specific set of circumstances.
Now, let’s fast forward another 130 years or so…
Prophecy of Daniel
Date Range: 606-530 BC
State of God’s people: Though a remnant did survive the Assyrian attacks, The Jewish people were eventually conquered and taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Jerusalem fell, and the temple — the city’s crown jewel — was destroyed in 587 BC. Their future hope and freedom had been destroyed. The Davidic dynasty has been destroyed. How could a King sit on David’s throne if it no longer exists? Can you feel the utter despair? Had God’s word failed?
It was during this captivity that God would again encourage His people. Despite their exile and punishment, they were not without hope. Through Daniel, God would once again encourage His people with a reminder of His son’s future rule and victory.
Daniel 7:13–14 ESV
“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
(initiated at Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:6-7) and fulfilled in Acts 1:9)
The story isn’t over, and God’s word has by no means failed. The Messiah is still coming.
But not yet. God’s people lived under the rule of Babylon, and once Babylon fell, they continued to live as exiles under the power of the Persians.
Fast forward another 80 years or so.
Prophecy of Zechariah
Date Range: 520-518 BC
State of God’s people: That is when God raised another prophet. The Persians defeated the Babylonians during Daniel’s lifetime. However, now, though the Jews are still under Persian rule, they have been able to return from exile in a prophesied act of kindness from the Persian king Cyrus. Jerusalem was in shambles, but they had the chance to repair the city and rebuild the temple. A measure of hope is restored, and the people ask Zechariah if this is the time for the Messiah to come.
Zechariah confirms the Messiah’s coming, but the exact timing is not addressed. Instead, the people are encouraged to be faithful and become a people who are ready to receive such a righteous King.
But, the King will eventually come, and in that pronouncement… rejoice!
Zechariah 9:9 ESV
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.
(fulfillment: Mark 11:1-10)
As the people focused on becoming such a people, God would eventually raise one final prophet to speak on His behalf.
Fast forward up to another 100 years.
Prophecy of Malachi
Date Range: 438-400 BC
State of God’s people: The Jewish people are still under Persian rule with limited autonomy and no sign of the coming Messiah. Malachi began his ministry nearly 100 years after Cyrus allowed the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem (in 538 BC). Despite Zechariah’s exhortation, the Jews have not become what they were called to be, and the whole book of Malachi shows God pointing out their corruption.
Approximately 600 years had passed since the prophecy of 2 Samuel. Who could hold out hope any longer? Surely 600 years of waiting proves this whole ‘Messiah’ thing is a wash, right?
Wrong. Malachi offers one final word for this further hope. The Messiah was still coming, and he would have a forerunner… a messenger to announce his coming.
Malachi 3:1 ESV
1 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.
(fulfillment Matt 3:1-3)
And this would be the final time God spoke before the coming of the Messiah and the Messenger that would herald his coming. From this point forward, there would be utter radio silence between God and His covenant people.
400 Years of Silence
That one blank page between your Old and New Testament represents 400 years of painful silence from God.
All of these prophecies were still highly anticipated, but no new revelation was given.
To put that into perspective, the USA has existed as a nation for only 247 years (since 1776).
That means that the Jewish people waited for a word from God for nearly double the amount of time that our country has been in existence, and that is only concerning that one blank page!
And you thought the time it took you to save up for your car was painful!
The Arrival of the King
Hopefully, this puts things into perspective for the 1st-century Jews (remember, there were no Christians at 1 AD).
1,000 years since King David. Roughly 700 years have passed since the time of Isaiah and Micah. 600 years from the time of Daniel. 500 years from the time of Zechariah and 400 years since Malachi and the close of the Old Testament scriptures.
And all the while, God’s covenant people had been conquered by 4 global superpowers through it all. Their last semblance of real freedom was prior to 587 BC when Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and took the Jews captive. The Medes and Persians succeeded Babylon, then the Greeks, and now, the Romans. They haven’t known true freedom (save for a brief period of peace in Zechariah’s day and a small window of time during the Maccabean revolt during the 400 Silent Years).
So, when you hear the Christmas songs say, “Deliver us, Yahweh, hear our cry,” hopefully, you can understand just how desperate their cries were.
Hopefully, you can fall on your knees in worshipful appreciation of God’s hesed – His steadfast, loyal love for His people as He walked alongside them and, despite their perpetual unfaithfulness, gave them hope for future deliverance by coming to them Himself in a way that would be unmistakable.
1,000 years of painful waiting, but then… Christmas came!
Galatians 4:4–5 ESV
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
All of Israel’s hopes and dreams have finally come to pass!
The Virgin gave birth to the Prince of Peace, and the hosts of heaven announced his arrival! Their Savior has come! Our Savior has come!
- 2 Sam. 7:12-13 fulfilled in Luke 1:30-33.
- Isaiah 7:14 & 9:6-7 fulfilled Matt 1:18-24.
- Micah 5:2 fulfilled Matt. 2:6 & John 7:42.
- Daniel 7:13-14 initiated at Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:6-7) and fulfilled in Acts 1:9.
- Zechariah 9:9 fulfilled Mark 11:1-10.
- Malachi 3:1 fulfilled in Matt 3:1-3.
Conclusion
Praise be to God, we don’t have to wait! The fulfillment of every longing of our hearts and souls has come! Tomorrow, we celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ – God Himself in human flesh, the embodiment of love. The Father loved the world so much that He gave His only Son.
We don’t have to endure the pains of despair and unfulfilled expectations. We don’t have to wait in anticipation of God’s ultimate gift.
Jesus has come! And in Him, you can have hope, peace, and joy, the fullness of love, because you have Immanuel – God with us.