Isaiah 9: Messiah?

As we read through the Old Testament, we will occasionally find prophecies of a coming king, someone special who will deliver the people from their troubles and restore them to God.  This person has come to be known as the Messiah.  Christians believe that Jesus is the promised One.

Isaiah 9 gives us important information about what to look for in regards to the Messiah:

• His home will not be in Jerusalem, but will be in Galilee (vs. 1).  Jesus' home base was the region of Galilee.  
• He will serve as a great light for the people (vs. 2).  Jesus said, "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12).
• He will be a source of joy (vs. 3).  People rejoiced to welcome Jesus and witness His miracles.
• He will set people free (vs. 4).  When He began His ministry, Jesus proclaimed that He had come to set the prisoner free and to release the oppressed (Luke 4:18).
• A male child will be born (vs. 6).  Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the hometown of David.
• He will be regarded as sharing divine qualities with God and given such grand titles as "Mighty God" and "Everlasting Father" (vs. 6).  Jesus claimed to be one with the Father (John 10:30).
• He will reign on David's throne forever (vs. 7).  Jesus is a descendant of David and reigns forever.

There are many, many more specific prophecies of the Messiah, and Jesus fit them all - except for the ones remaining to be realized upon His return.  All the weight of the evidence of prophecy fulfilled is just one more reason to believe that Jesus is Who He says He is: the Son of God come to be the promised Messiah!