The prophetic scriptures of the Old Testament contain numerous references to the coming of the Messiah and the response of the people of Israel to Him. These prophecies, fulfilled in the New Testament, highlight the foreseen rejection of the Messiah by His own people, a theme that is both profound and tragic within the biblical narrative.

Isaiah's Prophecy of Rejection

Isaiah, often referred to as the "Messianic Prophet," provides a vivid portrayal of the Messiah's rejection. In Isaiah 53:3, the prophet writes, "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not" . This passage is a poignant depiction of the suffering servant, foretelling the Messiah's rejection by the very people He came to save.

The Stone the Builders Rejected

Psalm 118:22-23 speaks of a cornerstone rejected by the builders: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes" . This metaphorical language is later applied to Jesus in the New Testament, illustrating how the leaders of Israel would reject Him, yet He would become the foundation of God's redemptive plan.

Zechariah's Vision of Mourning

Zechariah 12:10 prophesies a future recognition and mourning for the one whom they have pierced: "Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the residents of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on Me, the One they have pierced, and they will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son" . This prophecy not only anticipates the rejection and crucifixion of the Messiah but also a future repentance and acknowledgment by Israel.

The Stumbling Stone

Isaiah 8:14-15 describes the Messiah as both a sanctuary and a stumbling stone: "He will be a sanctuary, but to both houses of Israel He will be a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, to the dwellers of Jerusalem a trap and a snare. Many will stumble over these; they will fall and be broken; they will be ensnared and captured" . This imagery is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus is described as a stumbling block to those who do not believe.

Fulfillment in the New Testament

The New Testament writers frequently reference these Old Testament prophecies to demonstrate their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. In John 1:11, it is stated, "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him" , directly reflecting the prophetic anticipation of rejection. Similarly, in Romans 9:32-33, Paul discusses Israel's failure to attain righteousness because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works, stumbling over the "stumbling stone."

Conclusion

The prophetic scriptures concerning Israel's rejection of the Messiah serve as a testament to the foreknowledge and sovereignty of God. These prophecies underscore the complexity of Israel's relationship with their Messiah and highlight the broader narrative of redemption that unfolds throughout the biblical text.Isaiah 8:14,15
And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
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Isaiah 49:5,7
And now, said the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.
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Isaiah 52:14
As many were astonished at you; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
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Isaiah 53:1-3
Who has believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
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Zechariah 11:1
Open your doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour your cedars.
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Zechariah 13:1
In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.
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Matthew 21:33
Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and dig a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to farmers, and went into a far country:
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Matthew 22:1
And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables, and said,
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Salvation to the Jews
... thus been led to study anew the prophecies concerning the Messiah ... reunite with the
true stock of Israel "the remnant ... remained true to the God of their fathers ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 35 salvation to the.htm

It is a Ground for Thanksgiving that During the Last Three or Four ...
... of him in his connections with Israel, we have ... have to separate between those prophecies
which concern ... thing revealed in prophecy concerning the Antichrist's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/it is a ground for.htm

The Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible Bespeak the Omniscience of ...
... in Psalm 132:11 David declares concerning the promised ... call attention to one of the
prophecies which declared ... had been the one great national Hope of Israel. ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter five the fulfilled prophecies.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... the name of Jacob and Israel where, sometimes ... To the second part belong the prophecies
contained in ... question proposed to the prophet concerning the observance ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

The Coming of a Deliverer
... Stephen the Jews finally sealed their rejection of the ... The many prophecies concerning
the Saviour's advent led the ... hand of the oppressor was heavy upon Israel. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 58 the coming of.htm

From Persecutor to Disciple
... them; and they held themselves aloof, refusing him their sympathy. ... that Jesus had
fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Redeemer of Israel. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 12 from persecutor to.htm

"We have Seen his Star"
... and rabbis, directed minds to the prophecies concerning the Messiah ... had rained manna
from heaven for Israel and had ... Their gift was the first that was laid at ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 6 we have seen.htm

"Is not this the Carpenter's Son?"
... a living expositor of the prophecies concerning Himself. ... short of the final
specification concerning the Messiah's ... Christ longed to open to Israel the precious ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 24 is not this.htm

The Shaking of the Heavens and the Earth
... The sense of many prophecies concerning MESSIAH, though misapplied, is ... What was foretold
concerning them by Moses and the ... for the consolation of Israel (Luke 2 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon iii the shaking of.htm

Heralds of the Gospel
... of repentance to all the people of Israel. ... hath fulfilled the same unto us their
children, in ... of the fulfillment of familiar prophecies concerning the Messiah ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 17 heralds of the.htm

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