The Old Testament: Backstory to Christmasنموونە

Day 3: The Promise of a New Covenant

As God began working through history to bring His ultimate plan for redemption forth, He also began imparting glimpses of this new, better covenant through many of the Old Testament prophets. Mixed in with their admonitions to the people to repent from their sin, many prophets began foretelling of the coming messiah.   

Isaiah was one of the prophets who prophesied about this new covenant bringing king. The book of Isaiah has numerous references to the messiah who would usher in a new kingdom and a new way. By the time Isaiah finished his ministry, he had painted an awe-inspiring picture of this new king who was a descendent from King David and would restore the glory of David’s throne.

Too Good to be True?

Throughout the Old Testament, as other prophets brought more information about this future messiah, the people began looking expectantly for their soon coming king. Yet, the years passed. Years turned into decades, and decades into centuries, and still no promised king emerged! Meanwhile, the Israelites continued in their struggle to wholeheartedly follow after God and wondered if God would make good on His promise.

The last book of the Old Testament is Malachi, named after its author who was the last of the Old Testament prophets. Unfortunately, his message was similar to previous Old Testament prophets in that he also admonishes God’s chosen people to repent of their sin and return to God. Malachi is stern in his pronouncements of the judgments that will happen to those who try to cheat God and will not repent. Frankly, the book reads like a list of offenses that the people have committed against God as Malachi calls out various sins within their community! However, in the third chapter, Malachi declares something very interesting. He states,

“'I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,' says the Lord Almighty.” Malachi 3:1 NIV

To a Jewish person at that time, hearing those words would have been like an alarm bell! The phrase, “The Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come” was exactly what the people of God were hoping, and looking for! Surely, their coming messiah was just around the corner—right? Wrong! He would come, but it would be four more centuries before his birth!!

Connection to Our Story

Today, many of us may be still waiting on the fulfillment of a promise from God—much like the Israelites did with the promise of their coming messiah. We may begin to wonder if, maybe even doubt, God will come through. During these times of waiting, we can be encouraged in the fact that God WILL fulfill His promises—it’s His nature. Simply put, God cannot go against His word, and not fulfill a promise He has made. He has promised He will never leave us nor forsake us. He has promised us that His grace is sufficient for us. If you are feeling abandoned or overwhelmed, take heart—God is with you and His plan will not be thwarted!!