The title “Seed of Abraham” gives us our starting point in the Abrahamic covenant.
Genesis 22: 18.
“In your seed (Abraham) all the nations of the earth shall be blessed …”
This is the only aspect of the Abrahamic covenant which is not exclusively for Israel. All the other promises refer to Israel alone.
The covenant was confirmed with Isaac (Genesis 26) and with Jacob (Genesis 28). Each time the covenant was confirmed, Adonai repeated the unconditional, eternal, irrevocable promise that all mankind would receive Adonai’s mercy through the descendant of Abraham (and Isaac and Jacob).
The Jewish Messiah would therefore bring blessing to all mankind. And what would be the nature of this blessing? It would meet the greatest need of mankind: reconciliation with Adonai, forgiveness of sin and salvation.
So, in Acts 3: 25 and 26, Peter in his sermon on repentance was able to remind those Jews listening to him of Adonai’s promise to Abraham and show that it was fulfilled in the Lord Yeshua.
“You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, “And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” To you first, God having raised upon his servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”
Peter argues that they should accept the Lord Yeshua as Messiah. Adonai had already “raised up His Servant Jesus” and had “sent Him” first to the nation of Israel. This of course implies that His message is not exclusively for Israel. The Lord Yeshua Himself is the promised “seed” of blessing.
In Galatians 3: 16 – 18, Paul argues that the Lord Yeshua is the fulfilment of the covenant; a promise that has not, and cannot, be annulled.
“Now to Abraham and His Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds”, as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed”, who is Christ. And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.”
The period of four hundred and thirty years mentioned by Paul was the period that Isael was in Egypt before the Exodus. The law was put in place at the end of these centuries and could not override or annul the unconditional standing covenant with Abraham.
Justification has always been by faith. The Law could not provide a means of salvation. Once Adonai officially ratified the covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15), it had lasting authority.
Also, in Galatians 3: 8 and 9, Paul argues that the Tanakh clearly predicted that the Gentiles would receive the blessings of faith as Abraham had done. The blessings are poured out on all believers as the Lord Yeshua is truly the Seed of Abraham.
“And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.”
Thus, the messianic title “Seed of Abraham” provides the promise of a Jewish Messiah who will bless all mankind by providing the means of justification, forgiveness of sin, reconciliation with Adonai and salvation.
The messianic title “Son of David” comes from the unconditional Davidic covenant.
2 Samuel 7: 12 and 13. The words of Adonai for David.
“When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”
Obviously, Solomon (David’s son and immediate heir) would not rule forever. Rather the right to rule, represented by the image of the throne, would always belong to David’s descendants. Further, there would always be a male heir who would be able to reign.
Thus, the unconditional Davidic covenant promises him a kingdom that would last forever and a perpetual ruling line.
Psalm 89: 3 and 4.
“I have made My covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David: Your seed I will establish forever, and build up your throne to all generations.”
Psalm 89: 34 – 37.
“My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone from My lips. Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David. His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before Me; It shall be established forever like the moon. Even like the faithful witness in the sky.”
The title “Son of David” was the most popular messianic title in Israel at the time of the Lord’s Incarnation.
It is not surprising that the people of Israel in the first century latched on to the idea of a re-established, prosperous and powerful kingdom like that of David. They looked for a Messiah who would deliver them from Roman domination. They wanted a Messiah to become king to restore the nation of Israel to its former glory. By looking for a military deliverer and a political Messiah, they minimised the roles of prophet and priest. Thus, many rejected the Lord Yeshua as a humble, spiritual saviour as He did not, at His first advent, present Himself as a conquering political leader.
The Lord Yeshua indicated that He had not come as the kind of king most people wanted. His kingdom on his first advent was not an earthly one, but a heavenly one. In the gospel of Matthew, there are 32 references to the “kingdom of heaven”; indicating the rule of heaven over the earth.
Nevertheless, it was important for Matthew and Luke to show the genealogy of the Lord to show Him as the ultimate descendant of David whom scripture foretold.
Matthew traces the genealogy of the Lord back to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to show that He is a Jew and back to David to inform his readers that the Lord is qualified to rule on the throne of David. Matthew traces the Lord’s line though HIs earthly stepfather, Joseph, who adopted Him.
Joseph’s ancestry goes back to Solomon which raises the issue of the curse on Jeconiah (just before the Babylonian exile). In Jeremiah 22: 30, Adonai pronounced a curse on Jeconiah that none of his descendants would sit on the throne of David. But as the Lord was the legal, but not the biological son, of Joseph, He was not the seed of Jeconiah.
Also, Luke traces the Lord’s ancestry though His mother, Myriam. She was the descendant of another of David’s sons, Nathan (Luke 3: 31). Thus, the curse of Jeconiah did not apply.
The Davidic covenant is fulfilled in the Lord Yeshua. He is the legal heir of King David. Because He lives forever, there can be no other claimant to the title. He will reign forever. He is David’s great Son.
But Israel at the time of His first advent should have understood that first the work of the “Son of David” was to teach righteousness, to forgive and to bring salvation.
Jeremiah 23: 5 – 6.
“ Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “that I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a king shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth, in His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
The third messianic title to consider is “the Son of Man”. The Lord Yeshua is recorded as using this title to refer to Himself on over 80 occasions in the gospels.
The term goes back to Daniel 7: 13 – 14.
“I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming in the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then 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 the one which will not be destroyed.”
“Son of man” in its simplest sense means “human being”. But Daniel saw “One like the Son of Man”; indicating that the person he saw was not simply a man in the strictest sense, but rather the perfect representation of humanity. Clearly what Daniel saw was Adonai (the Ancient of Days) investing Messiah with His glorious kingdom.
The Lord Yeshua used the term of Himself to emphasise His humanity as the incarnate Son of God. Let us look at some of the way He used this term to point to Himself as the Messiah whom Daniel saw.
Matthew 9: 6.
“… the Son of Man has the power on earth to forgive sins.”
Matthew 12: 8
“For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
Luke 9: 22.
“The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”
Matthew 24: 30.
“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and with great glory.”
The title “Son of Man” clearly connects the Lord Yeshua with the person envisaged by Daniel. It emphasises His humanity but in His use of it, He identifies Himself as both God and man.
The fourth messianic title is “The Son of God”.
This is the most important of the messianic titles and the most difficult one to understand. The triune Godhead is a concept that many find difficult because nothing in our experience really imitates it. The idea of One God but three Persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is complex; the three absolutely one but with separate roles. Our language does not have appropriate terms to describe this unique relationship. The writers of the Brit Hadashah had similar problems. The best they could do was to describe the Second Person of the Godhead as “monogenes Theos.”
I imagine that the Father/Son relationship was the best idea to help humanity understand. But at the end of the day, how much can we as mere humans understand the eternal, omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent Deity!
To understand the Lord Yeshua as “the Son of God” was perhaps most helpful to people of His day who believed that if they looked on God they would die. Such fear would present complications to HIs work of teaching, exhorting and forgiving.
In Psalm 2: 7 the Lord Yeshua reveals a private conversation between Himself and God, the Father.
“I will declare the decree; The Lord has said to Me, “you are My Son, today I have begotten You.””
This is the only reference to interaction between the Father and the Son in the Tanakh; it expresses the privilege of a unique relationship.
In the Brit Hadashah, the “Son of God” is declared to be the King, the true anointed, the Messiah.
Matthew 3: 16 – 17.
“When He had been baptised, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
These verses demonstrate the simultaneous existence of all three Persons of the Godhead. They also point to the Son’s voluntary, subordinate role to the Father in His Incarnation, the Father’s delight in Him and the Spirit’s desire to glorify the Lord Yeshua. The Father gave the command to listen to what the Son had to say. And the Spirit ‘s vindication and empowerment officially inaugurated Messiah’s ministry.
This is the first of three occasions when the Father spoke from heaven in delighted acknowledgment of His unique Son.
The second occasion was at the Transfiguration. Matthew 17: 5, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
The third occasion was just before the crucifixion. In John 12: 28, the Lord Yeshua speaks first, “Father, glorify Your name”. Then a voice comes from heaven saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” Even when facing torture and execution the Lord Yeshua is concerned that the “Name” of the Father be glorified. Adonai speaks from heaven saying that He had glorified His name and would “glorify it again”. The Name of Adonai was glorified during the earthly ministry of Messiah by His work. But still greater glory would be brought to it though the death, resurrection and ascension of His Son, the Lord Yeshua.
The title “Son of God” for the Lord Yeshua expresses the voluntary submission of the Second Person of the Godhead to the Father (the First Person) for the purpose of fulfilling the programme of redemption established in eternity past.
The presence on earth of the Lord Yeshua required a special creative work by Adonai. The Lord Yeshua was always God, but He fulfilled the role of Son (acting under direction) in space and time at His incarnation and this was confirmed by His resurrection.
Romans 1: 3 – 4.
“…concerning His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”
The Son came to reveal the Father. Only the unique Son, with His intimate and personal relationship with the Father, could do so.
John 1: 17 –18.
“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father. He has declared Him.”
The Lord Yeshua is Adonai’s “only begotten Son” (i.e., unique Son). In a sense of course all people are God’s children, but He has no other like the Lord Yeshua. He occupies and always has, a special place of nearness to the Father, even “in the bosom of the Father”.
Adonai’s blessed One has revealed to mankind what Adonai is like. When people saw the Lord Yeshua, they saw Adonai. They felt Adonai’s love and tenderness. His thoughts and attitudes towards mankind have been fully “declared” by the Lord Yeshua. John 10: 30, “I and My Father are one.”
The title “Son of God” is used some thirty times in the gospels. The title identifies the Lord Yeshua as the essence of God; the expression of God in human form. He entered the world in Incarnation as the Son of God and took on the role of guiding mankind to salvation, through voluntary submission to the will of Adonai. He did so through the agency and power of the Holy Spirit. His victory over death was the supreme demonstration and most conclusive evidence that He is God the Son.
Therefore, He could say (Matthew 11: 27), “All things have been delivered to Me by My Father …”
For the fifth messianic title, we get two for one.
Isaiah 42: 1 –4.
“Behold, My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. He will not fail nor be discouraged, till He has established justice in the earth; and the coastland shall wait for His law.”
The titles, “Servant … My Elect”, are here applied to Messiah. Whilst Adonai has referred to others as his servant, this personal servant of Jehovah is the One who will bring justice and an everlasting covenant. Adonai will “uphold” Him and no one Adonai upholds can be brought low.
Isaiah 41: 10.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
This “Servant” (the Lord Yeshua) with the Holy Spirit is empowered to bring justice to the world.
Philippians 2: 5 – 8.
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men, and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
Contrary to the typical first century rabbinical expectations, the Messiah would not arrive with a political agenda, a military campaign and a great fanfare. He came in complete obedience to the will of the Father. He came with gentleness and meekness, teaching and exhorting and delivering righteousness even to the Gentiles – a very special Servant of Adonai.
For the final Messianic title, we get four in one.
Isaiah 9: 6.
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
“Wonderful Counsellor” could be translated “wonderful divine counsellor”. This title reflects His person, His work and His wisdom in government. In the millennial kingdom, He will implement supernatural wisdom in discharging His office.
Isaiah 11: 1 – 5.
“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight is in the fear of the Lord, and He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears; but with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, and faithfulness the belt of His waist.”
“Mighty God” is the title that illustrates that the Lord is a powerful warrior. He is the omnipotent, supreme ruler. As a powerful warrior, Messiah will accomplish military exploits.
Isaiah 9: 3 – 5.
“You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy; they rejoice before You according to the joy of the harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For You have broken the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor as in the day of Midian. For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle, and garments rolled in blood, will be used for burning and fuel of fire.”
“Everlasting Father” describes Messiah as a king and a father who provides for and protects His people for evermore. The word “Father” here is used as the Saviour’s role as an ideal king. Messiah is the source of eternity. He confers everlasting life on those who believe in Him. He will compassionately care for and protect His people.
Isaiah 40: 9 – 11.
“O Zion, you who bring good tidings, get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, you who bring good tidings, lift up your voice with strength, lift it up, be not afraid; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”
Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; behold His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.
He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.”
“Prince of Peace”. This title shows Messiah as the one who brings true peace. He alone has the right to reign, and He will usher in peace. Only His government can bring lasting peace to a troubled world.
There will be peace and reconciliation between man and Adonai.
Romans 5: 1
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God though our Lord Jesus Christ.”
There will be peace between nations and peoples.
Isaiah 2: 4.
“He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”
There shall be peace among the animals, and between mankind and the animals.
Isaiah 11: 6 – 9.
“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze; their young ones lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole, and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den.
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain. For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”
Conclusion.
We have looked at messianic titles in the Tanakh and they tell us so much about our precious Lord.
1) “The Seed of Abraham” title gives us a Jewish Messiah who will bring blessing to all mankind. He will meet fallen man’s most fundamental need; reconciliation with Adonai and salvation.
2) “The Son of David” title shows His glorious millennial kingdom which will come about after His work of teaching, exhortation and the forgiveness of sin to make people fit for the heavenly kingdom.
3) “The Son of Man” title demonstrates Messiah as the unique representative of humanity and of Adonai.
4) “The Son of God” title presence Messiah as the unique Son (the Second Person of the tri-une Godhead). It shows a unique relationship between Messiah and Adonai; equal in nature and standing but with Messiah taking on a subordinate role in His Incarnation to follow the Father’s eternal plan for the redemption of mankind.
Mesiah is of course Adonai’s “Servant” and His “Elect One”. These titles show the close personal relationship between the Lord Yeshua and Adonai. Messiah allows people to appreciate the nature and character of Adonai.
The last four titles we looked at will be evident in the millennial kingdom.
5) The title “Wonderful counsellor” reflects the strength and wisdom with which He will reign in His kingdom.
6) The title “Mighty God” shows Messiah to be an omnipotent ruler and a powerful warrior.
7) The title “Everlasting Father” demonstrates that He will be the ideal king who will care for and discipline His people.
8) The title “Prince of Peace” shows that His kingdom will reflect His personality and provide universal reconciliation.
The messianic titles do provide superb insight into the person, work and majesty of our Lord. And of course, make us even more eager to meet with Him face-to-face.
AMEN.