The Messiah's Characteristics
Isaiah provides a detailed profile of the Messiah's nature, his character, and the supernatural signs that would accompany his ministry.
His Supernatural Birth:
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14:
His Divine Identity and Character:
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
Anointed by the Spirit:
"The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord." Isaiah 11:2
Gentle and Compassionate Nature:
“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice." Isaiah 42:3
The Suffering Servant:
"He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain... But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:3–5
2. The Messiah’s Miracles
These highlight his role as a supernatural healer and restorer. These signs were meant to validate his divine identity and show the arrival of God’s kingdom.
The primary prophecies detailing these specific miracles include:
a. Miracles of Physical Healing
The most direct and famous prediction of the Messiah's physical miracles is found in Isaiah 35:5–6. It outlines four specific types of physical restoration:
"Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart [deer], and the tongue of the dumb [mute] sing..."
This prophecy outlines:
Giving sight to the blind
Restoring hearing to the deaf
Enabling the paralysed and lame to walk and leap
Restoring speech to the mute
In the New Testament, Jesus explicitly quotes this specific passage in Matthew 11:4–5 to prove to John the Baptist that He is indeed the promised Messiah.
b. Delivering the Captive and Bound
In Isaiah 61:1, the Messiah’s ministry is described as one that involves supernatural liberation, which included both spiritual deliverance and physical healing (such as curing blindness):
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound."
When Jesus launched his public ministry in Luke 4:18, he read this exact scroll in the synagogue and declared, ‘Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’
c. Spiritual and Metaphorical Awakening
While Isaiah 42:7 speaks of physical healing, it also highlights the spiritual miracle of opening eyes that have been blinded by darkness:
"To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house."
d. Overcoming Death
Isaiah also prophesied the ultimate miracle - the Messiah conquering death itself through his resurrection.
“He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces . . .” Isaiah 25:8
After detailing his suffering and death, the prophecy states:
“ . . . he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand." Isaiah 53:10
This implies that after dying as an offering for sin, he would live again.
3. The Judgment He Will Bring
While the Messiah comes to save, Isaiah also outlines his role as a righteous judge who will execute justice, defeat wickedness, and rule with absolute truth. He will judge the wicked:
“But with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.” Isaiah 11:4
He will establish God’s justice on earth:
“He will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth.” Isaiah 42:4
4. The Gospel will Go Out to the Nations (Gentiles)
Isaiah explicitly predicts that the Messiah's mission would extend as a saving light to the entire global population. This had always been God’s intention, that his rule would spread to the nations.
“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles.” Isaiah 42:6
He will bring salvation to all the earth:
“He says: ‘It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.’” Isaiah 49:6
Nations will flock to Him:
“In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.” Isaiah 11:10
An Open Invitation to all people on earth:
“See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples. Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you know not will hasten to you . . . “ Isaiah 55:4–5
BVP
This article has been posted on the website www.bvpalmer.com where there are many other helpful articles and videos.
Christchurch Baldock is a Bible teaching, gospel centred, local church. More details can be found on its website. It meets every Sunday morning at 10.30 am in Knights Templar School, Baldock
Bernard can be contacted at berniepalmer1@sky.com
