Topical Bible: Israel: A Name of the Messiah in Prophecy

◄ Israel: A Name of the Messiah in Prophecy ►

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The name "Israel" holds profound significance throughout the biblical narrative, often referring to the nation chosen by God, the descendants of Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. However, in the prophetic literature of the Old Testament, "Israel" is also used in a messianic context, pointing to the coming Messiah, who embodies the true and faithful servant of the Lord.

Prophetic Context

The prophetic books of the Old Testament frequently employ the name "Israel" in ways that transcend its immediate reference to the nation or people. In these contexts, "Israel" is sometimes personified as an individual who fulfills the divine purposes of God in a way that the nation itself could not. This personification is understood by many conservative scholars to be a reference to the Messiah, who perfectly embodies the ideals and mission of Israel.

Isaiah's Servant Songs

The Book of Isaiah contains several passages known as the "Servant Songs," which describe a servant of the Lord who will bring justice and salvation to the nations. In Isaiah 49:3, the servant is explicitly called "Israel": "He said to me, 'You are My servant, Israel, in whom I will display My glory.'" . While this initially appears to refer to the nation, the context reveals a deeper messianic interpretation. The servant's mission to restore Israel and be a light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 49:6) suggests a role that surpasses that of the nation itself, pointing to the Messiah who fulfills Israel's calling.

The Faithful Remnant

Throughout the prophetic literature, there is a recurring theme of a faithful remnant within Israel. This remnant is often depicted as the true Israel, those who remain faithful to God's covenant. The Messiah, as the ultimate faithful remnant, embodies the perfect obedience and faithfulness that the nation as a whole could not achieve. In this sense, the Messiah is the true "Israel," fulfilling the role and mission that the nation was intended to accomplish.

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament writers, particularly in the Gospels, present Jesus as the fulfillment of these messianic prophecies. Jesus is portrayed as the true Israel, who succeeds where the nation failed. In Matthew 2:15, the evangelist cites Hosea 11:1, "Out of Egypt I called My Son," applying it to Jesus' return from Egypt. This typological interpretation underscores Jesus as the embodiment of Israel, the faithful Son who fulfills the covenantal promises.

Theological Implications

Understanding "Israel" as a name of the Messiah in prophecy enriches the theological narrative of Scripture. It highlights the continuity between the Old and New Testaments and underscores the role of Jesus as the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The Messiah, as the true Israel, accomplishes the divine mission of bringing salvation to the ends of the earth, a mission that the nation of Israel was called to but could not complete in its entirety.

In summary, the prophetic use of "Israel" as a name for the Messiah underscores the profound unity of God's redemptive work through history, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who embodies the true and faithful servant of the Lord.

Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 49:3
And said to me, You are my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Last Word of Prophecy
... Neither Malachi nor the Baptist gives a complete view of Messiah's work, but ... prediction
is not yet fulfilled, whether we regard the name of Israel and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the last word of prophecy.htm

Covenanting Predicted in Prophecy.
... when it was said concerning the Messiah,""Unto him shall ... uttered concerning the
restoration of Israel, refer to ... uttering the prediction,""My name shall be ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xiii covenanting predicted in.htm

The Redeemer's Return is Necessitated by the Declarations of Old ...
... Many of the things foretold of Israel's Messiah were not ... In His days Judah shall
be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is His name whereby He ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/i the redeemers return is.htm

Assumptions Concerning the Book of Isaiah.
... that the announcing angel foretold that the name "Jesus" was to be given to the
Messiah at his ... when Jeroboam was bringing disaster upon Israel, God sent ...
/.../vi assumptions concerning the book.htm

What Messiah did the Jews Expect?
... appears from the mystic description of the Messiah as the ... a century before Christ,
which bears the name of the ... time known to God only, to reign over Israel. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v what messiah did.htm

The Kingdom and the King
... The hopes of Israel did not, and those of ... taking this as anything lower than the
divine name. The prophet conceives of Messiah as the earthly representative of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the kingdom and the king.htm

The Annunciation of Jesus the Messiah, and the Birth of his ...
... The naming of the unborn Messiah would accord with popular notions; [724 ... to his father
and mother, and let his name be called in Israel Zacharias, the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the annunciation of.htm

Balaam's Prophecy. (Numb. xxiv. 17-19. )
... Balaam had to do with an enemy of Israel, and his chief aim was to ... the enemies of
the kingdom of God at the time of the Messiah by the name of Asshur ...
/.../christology of the old testament/balaams prophecy numb xxiv 17-19.htm

God his Own Interpreter.
... shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be ... hundred years before the coming
of the Messiah, our critic ... be of no practical benefit to Israel, hence, must ...
/.../x god his own interpreter.htm

The Millennium in Relation to Israel.
... While their Messiah was hanging upon the Cross, "All the ... Third, restored Israel will
occupy a much more exalted and ... the Gentiles a people for His name that He ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/4 the millennium in relation.htm