Did Israel understand the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah?
No, Israel did not understand the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. Although they possessed and thought they knew the Scriptures, they read them without comprehending. They should have recognized Him at His coming, but even after His miracles and signs, they could not believe who He was.
Les explains that the Old Testament was full of prophecies—some 360 distinct prophecies concerning His first coming. The Jews of that day knew their Old Testament, or thought they did, and should have known who He was the minute He came, but they did not. They could read the Old Testament and not see a word it said. Israel would read those prophecies concerning the coming of their Messiah but did not know what it was talking about. So when He came, presented Himself, performed miracles and signs, they still could not believe who He was. Les cautions not to castigate the Jew, because we are no different. America is no different, saturated with the Bible, yet many read it and do not see what it says.