Messiah, coming of

The coming of a figure chosen and anointed by God to deliver and redeem his people. Anointing was seen as a sign of being chosen by God for a special task of leadership or responsibility. The OT looked ahead to the final coming of such a figure to usher in a new era in the history of the people of God; the NT sees this expectation fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Anointing as a sign of being chosen by God

Anointing with oil

Leviticus 8:12 See also 1 Samuel 16:12–13; 2 Samuel 2:4, 2 Samuel 5:3 parallel 1 Chronicles 11:3; 1 Kings 1:39; 2 Kings 9:6; Psalm 89:20

He also poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him.

Anointing with the Holy Spirit

Isaiah 61:1 See also Luke 4:18; Judges 14:19; 1 Samuel 11:6, 1 Samuel 16:13; Isaiah 11:2; Matthew 12:18; Isaiah 42:1

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,

Anointing as a sign of national and spiritual leadership

Anointed to be king

1 Chronicles 29:22 See also Judges 9:7–15; 1 Samuel 9:16, 1 Samuel 15:17; 2 Samuel 19:10; 1 Kings 1:34; 2 Kings 9:3, 2 Kings 11:12 parallel 2 Chronicles 23:11; 2 Chronicles 22:7

That day they ate and drank with great joy in the presence of the LORD. Then, for a second time, they designated David’s son Solomon as king, anointing him before the LORD as ruler, and Zadok as the priest.

Anointed to be priest

Exodus 40:13–15 See also Exodus 28:41, Exodus 29:7; Leviticus 7:35–36, Leviticus 16:32; Numbers 3:3

And you are to clothe Aaron with the holy garments, anoint him, and consecrate him, so that he may serve Me as a priest. Bring his sons forward and clothe them with tunics. Anoint them just as you anointed their father, so that they may also serve Me as priests. Their anointing will qualify them for a permanent priesthood throughout their generations.”

Anointed to be judge

The coming of the Spirit on some of the judges is a spiritual anointing: Judges 3:10, Judges 6:34, Judges 11:29, Judges 15:14

Anointed to be prophet

1 Kings 19:16; Isaiah 48:16; Ezekiel 11:5, Ezekiel 37:1; Micah 3:8

The expectation of a future Messiah

The future anointed king

Genesis 49:10; Isaiah 16:5 See also Numbers 24:17; 2 Samuel 7:12–14 parallel 1 Chronicles 17:11–13; Psalm 2:7–9, Psalm 45:6–7, Psalm 110:1–2, Psalm 132:11–12; Isaiah 9:6–7; Ezekiel 37:24; Micah 5:2; Zechariah 9:9

The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.

in loving devotion a throne will be established in the tent of David. A judge seeking justice and hastening righteousness will sit on it in faithfulness.

The future anointed priest

Psalm 110:4 See also Zechariah 6:13

The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

The future anointed prophet

Isaiah 61:1–2 See also Deuteronomy 18:18

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn,

The future anointed judge

Isaiah 2:4, Isaiah 11:3–4; Micah 4:3

The future anointed servant of God

Isaiah 42:1–4 See also Isaiah 49:1–6, Isaiah 50:4–9, Isaiah 52:13–53:12

“Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations. He will not cry out or raise His voice, nor make His voice heard in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow weak or discouraged before He has established justice on the earth. In His law the islands will put their hope.”