Longing: Israel's Longing for Messiah

Northshore Christian Church

Speaker: Dr. Sanjay Merchant, Adjunct Teaching Pastor The new sermon series focuses on the "longing" for a coming King, exploring the prophecies of the Old Testament, specifically through the lenses of Hosea and Isaiah, and their messages about this promised King. These prophets, from the 8th century BC, speak of an "Anointed One"—the Messiah (or Christ)—who would fulfill God's promises to His people. In Hosea 3, the prophet uses the metaphor of Hosea's troubled marriage to Gomer to illustrate Israel's unfaithfulness to God and their coming period of exile. Despite their sin, God promises redemption, symbolized by Hosea's eventual reconciliation with Gomer, pointing to the future return of the Israelites to their God and the coming of a perfect descendant of David, a new King, who would restore their relationship with God. Isaiah 11 expands on this vision, prophesying a new King from the "stump of Jesse" (David's father), who will embody God's spirit, wisdom, righteousness, and judgment. This King is both a descendant (the shoot) and the origin (the root) of David, signifying a divine ruler who will bring peace and justice. The passage emphasizes that this King will be unlike previous leaders, who often led Israel astray into pagan practices, instead faithfully embodying God's character. The ultimate fulfillment of these prophecies is seen in the New Testament, where Jesus is revealed as the true Messiah, fulfilling both the legal and biological lines of David, and offering the eternal kingship promised in 2 Samuel 7. Through these prophecies, the series highlights the longing for a true, righteous King who will bring peace, justice, and restoration, ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel and the world.