The Old Testament scriptures abound with prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah.
In Mic. 5:2 it was foretold that this coming "ruler in Israel" should be born in Bethlehem, in the land of Judah. The eternity of His being was also mentioned in the same verse.
Isa. 7:14 said that He was to be born of a virgin and His name called Immanuel.
Then in Isaiah 9, His deity was announced, and it was said that He should have the throne of David.
That He should come through the family of David was definitely prophesied in Isaiah 11 and Psalm 132.
The approximate time of His first appearance was even indicated in Daniel 9.
Many other references might be made to the promises and prophecies concerning Him, but space will not permit. Enough has been quoted to prove the existence of precise information, given by God, whereby His Anointed could and should have been expected, and discovered when He came.
But, how was it? Was the world or even the nation of Israel looking for Him? And when He came, did His earthly people rejoice that He had come? No, no, no. Although coming through the royal line of David, He was an outcast from the beginning. People of wealth and social prominence occupied the inn, but there was no room for Him. He was placed in a manger.
The Jews made their boast of having the Scriptures entrusted to them, and these were read every Sabbath day in their synagogues; but, except for a little handful, none were expecting their Messiah. His birth was almost unnoticed, and an aged woman (Anna the prophetess) could speak of Him to all that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
When Herod the King heard of His birth, he called all the chief priests and scribes of the Jews together for information about this coming King. These leaders could quote from the prophet Micah as to the place of His birth, which proved that they were conversant with the letter of Scripture; but they did not make one move to see Him. Their hearts were far from Him. Sad, sad state indeed!