"And when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him." (Isaiah 53:2)

As the Chosen Nation, Israel is waiting for the Chosen One, the King who will rule over the nations. The prophets declare that the King will establish God's Kingdom on earth, an everlasting reign where righteousness and justice will prosper. Israel is destined to be a Holy Nation, and will function as priests for the nations.

As the King, He will champion Israel's cause by bringing deliverance to Israel and by dispensing punishment on all those who have abused His people. Israel will be saved, and their enemies finally defeated.

As the Deliverer of Israel and Judge of the Nations, the victorious conquering King will be obvious to all nations. Every eye will see Him, and be moved by His powerful presence. None will mistake the King's appearance.

"Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself; the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath. He shall say, ‘Surely in the LORD I have righteousness and strength. To Him men shall come, and all shall be ashamed who are incensed against Him. In the LORD all the descendants of Israel shall be justified, and shall glory." (Isaiah 45:22-25)

And so, the people of Israel await the arrival of this great and glorious King.

But the prophets also speak of a time when Israel will not recognize the Chosen One, though they see him. Despite being the Chosen Nation, the children of Israel will be blind to the Chosen One, for a season.

But it is not the celebratory aspects, the joy of a long-awaited Redeemer, or the victory rewards of a conquering King that alludes the Chosen Nation.

It is not the King who they do not see, but the King within the man. A man, who as a young boy grew from a simple life, destined to be the King Messiah, the Hope of Israel. As a man he is seen by many, but only a few know His destiny. His majestic qualities are hidden from the eyes of Israel.

"And when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him." (Isaiah 53:2)

At some point in time, when the people of Israel see Him, they will not recognize Him as the Chosen One. The glory of this great King will not be obvious to those who were expecting Him. The people of Israel will be blind to His majestic beauty, and will not see their future King in Him.
During this period of time, when they see Him, rather than seeing a King they will see a man who, like anyone else, is seemingly caught in the Oppressor's grip."... there is no beauty that we should desire him." He will not appear to be the long-awaited King, coming to deliver His people.
However, Israel is not permanently blind to the beauty of the King. Moreover, Israel is not abandoned by the God of Israel. The blindness will be removed.

The prophets declare that God will pour His Presence on the house of David, and on those who live in Jerusalem, and then "they will look ..." (Zechariah 12:10)

With the help of their Heavenly Father, the Chosen Nation will undertake a closer inspection of the One whom they previously suspected of having no majestic-beauty.

With a much deeper appreciation, the eyes of Israel will look unto Him "whom they have pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one who grieves for a firstborn." (Zechariah 12:10)

The blindness removed, the Chosen People will mourn for their King.

The prophets declare that "‘The Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,' says the LORD, ‘as for Me,' says the LORD, ‘this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants' descendants,' says the LORD, ‘from this time and forevermore.' (Isaiah 59:20-21) 

Mark Warren