Q&A: Predictions of the Incarnation?

Question

Did God talk about sending his Son for us before he actually did it?

Answer

The Old Testament does not hint at the idea that God will become incarnate, or that the Father will send his Son to die for us. Rather, it sets up the expectation that a descendant of David will restore the kingdom of God and bring permanent forgiveness, peace, life and prosperity to the people of God. There are a number of indications that the Messiah will suffer and die on behalf of his people (e.g. Ps. 16:10; Isa. 53), but nothing specifically saying that he will be divine. Insofar as all Davidic kings were human "sons of God" (e.g. 2 Sam. 7:14; Ps. 2:6-7), and the Messiah was to be a Davidic king, it does indicate that the Messiah would be the "son of God," but not the "Son of God" in the special sense in which it is used of Christ in the New Testament (e.g. John 5:18). The fact that Jesus would be God incarnate was unforeseen in the Old Testament.