GROWING IN THE GOSPEL ADVENT WEEK 2: UNDERSTANDING THE PROPHECY TRADITIONS OF THE MESSIAH What were the people of Jesus time expecting of the Messiah? Michael H. Koplitz
This edition 2017 copyright by Bibleinteract, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission of the publisher. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission (www.lockman.org) The NASB uses italic to indicate words that have been added for clarification. Citations are shown with large capital letters. Published by BibleInteract ISBN-13: 978-1979301350 ISBN-10: 1979301352 Cover design by Faith A. Benson BibleInteract 1400 McLeod Street NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 http://bibleinteract.tv http://bibleinteract.net
Table of Contents 1 Introduction... 1 2 The Origin of the English Word Messiah... 3 3 Son of David... 5 4 Son of Man... 7 5 The Restoration of the Kingdom of Israel... 9 6 Suffering Servant... 11 7 44 Prophecies about Jesus in the OT... 15 Works Cited... 21
1 Introduction The synoptic Gospels tell the story of our Lord Jesus ministry and how His disciples learned the ways of God from them. The question of Jesus true nature seemed to elude them until after His death. Why did the disciples not recognize the nature of Jesus immediately? The answer might lie in understanding what the prophecies about the Messiah were during His day. The people were waiting for God s Messiah. Who the Messiah would be and what the Messiah came from the prophets of Israel. The one messianic prophecy that was not considered a messianic prophecy in Jesus day comes from the book of Isaiah, the suffering servant chapters. This book examines the ideas of the Messiah that were believed in Jesus day and the suffering servant which became the understanding of Jesus mission. 1
2 The Origin of the English Word Messiah The English word messiah is derived from the, which means מ שׁ י ח Hebrew word mashiach, anointed one. Anyone who went into God s service as a prophet or king could be referred to as a mashiach because they were anointed into God s service. The anointing was not always done with oil, as in the case of Isaiah, it was a hot coal touching his lips. During the years between the rebuilding of the Second Temple and the Greek period the concept of the mashiach started to gain additional characteristics which are described in the proceeding chapters. 3
3 Son of David God s Messiah is prophesized to be from the line of David. Why was this an important theme for the Messiah? 2 Samuel 7:16 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever. This verse refers to what the prophet Nathan told King David. This is called the Davidic Covenant. The LORD tells us that the descendants of David would sit upon the earthly throne over God s Chosen People the Israelites. Shortly after Solomon s death the kingdom of Israel split into the Northern and Southern Kingdom. The Northern kingdom was destroyed by the Assyrians a few years after the split. This was enough proof for the people of the Southern kingdom that a descendant of David would sit on the throne. David was from Judea which became a part of the Southern kingdom. With the Northern kingdom destroyed the only kingdom of God s Chosen people was the Southern Kingdom. The Gospels of and Luke go to extra care to let us know that Jesus is a descendant of King David. 5
Michael H. Koplitz The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham: (Matt. 1:1 NAU) Luke s Gospel has the genealogy in chapter three. Luke starts with Jesus and works backwards to Adam while starts with Adam and works forwards to Jesus. This would satisfy those who strongly believed in the Son of David theme for the Messiah. 6
4 Son of Man The Son of Man theme for the Messiah has its original in the book of Daniel. 13 Daniel 7:13 "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. The Son of Man theme is fully developed in the book of Ezekiel which was written after Daniel. The Son of Man theme for the Messiah might have started in Daniel but the gist of the belief of the restoration of the Kingdom of God comes from Ezekiel. There are numerous references to the Son of Man in Ezekiel. The theme of the Son of Man and the restoration of the religious ways of God were very prominent during Jesus time. The most prominent reference to the Son of Man in the book of Ezekiel is the story of the dry bones. The Son of Man is predicted to revive the dry bones and turn them back into flesh. From the beginning of chapter two of Ezekiel the people were told that they were a rebellious people and because of their behavior they were under God s punishment. God was sending the Son of Man to give God s grace and love back to the people and to free them from their punishment. 7
5 The Restoration of the Kingdom of Israel The third messianic theme is the restoration of the Kingship of Israel by God himself. When David ruled there was a belief that a part of God himself resided inside David. Of course, the Southern Kingdom peoples believed that God s spirit resided with each of their Kings. After all their King was a descendant of King David. David was called a man of God. When the Babylonian Exile began it became clear to the people that the restoration of the kingdom would occur some time in the future. It was believed that an eschatological kingdom would occur. This theme of the Messiah involves the destruction of the world and a new Jerusalem being created by God. The concept of a new Jerusalem at the end of times is found in the Hebrew Scriptures. The eschatological kingdom is the kingdom of God after the current earthly kingdom is destroyed. The words of Paul are probably ringing in your ears right now. Paul believed that Jesus was the first fruit of God s plan to resurrect the dead and then Jesus would come back for everyone else. Paul believed that the end of times, the eschaton, was about to happen at any time. If you read Paul s letter with his idea of the end times in mind, you can see why he wrote what he did. 9
Michael H. Koplitz He tried to tell the churches that they needed to concentrate on their spiritual matters and to not worry about worldly items because the end was coming immediately. Paul believed that Jesus return would be before his death. Certainly the eschatological kingdom of God would replace the Roman world. Some believed, like Judas Iscariot, that the eschatological kingdom was to be brought in with help, that is the armed help of the people of God. Judas was not the only person in Judea who was ready to grab a sword and begin the final battle for God s return. This theme can be divided into two parts. There was one group of people who believed that the new kingdom would come when the Messiah arrived to lead the armies of God to destroy the enemies. The other group of people believed that the Messiah would usher in the new kingdom in his time and in his own way. Paul was one of these folks. He was probably distraught when it didn t happen in his timetable. The writer of the Revelation used this theme with the understanding that Jesus the Messiah would bring the eschatological kingdom at a time of his own choosing. 10
6 Suffering Servant 1 Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2 For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. 3 He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. 6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. 7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment He was taken away; And as for His generation, who considered That He was cut off out of the land of the living For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due? 9 His grave was assigned with 11
Michael H. Koplitz wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth. 10 But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. 11 As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore t (Isa. 53:1-12 NAU) God s decision was to bring the Kingdom of heaven in a completely different way. It was through the suffering of God s Son, the Messiah, that would bring salvation to the people. However, this theme which is in the Hebrew Scriptures was not a theme that the people thought of until after the resurrection. After Jesus resurrection the suffering servant from Isaiah 53 became quickly associated with Jesus. Parts of the themes that were known during Jesus life can be found in the Gospel stories. Since none of the popular messianic theme happened. The followers of Jesus looked into the Scripture figuring that they 12
missed a theme. They found that theme in Isaiah chapter 53. Isaiah was a very important document to the people of Judea during Jesus life. They looked into Isaiah for answers to their questions. They found the story of Jesus the Messiah in that book. 13
7 44 Prophecies about Jesus in the Old Testament The following is a list of the major messianic prophecies of Jesus. 1 44 Messianic Prophecies of Jesus Prophecies of Jesus 1 Messiah would be born of a woman. 2 Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. 3 Messiah would be born of a virgin. Old Testament Scripture New Testament Fulfillment Genesis 3:15 1:20 Galatians 4:4 Micah 5:2 2:1 Luke 2:4-6 Isaiah 7:14 1:22-23 Luke 1:26-31 4 Messiah would come Genesis 12:3 1:1 from the line of Genesis 22:18 Romans 9:5 Abraham. 5 Messiah would be a descendant of Isaac. Genesis 17:19 Genesis 21:12 Luke 3:34 6 Messiah would be a Numbers 24:17 1:2 descendant of Jacob. 7 Messiah would come Genesis 49:10 Luke 3:33 from the tribe of Judah. Hebrews 7:14 1 Fairchild, Mary. "44 Prophecies of the Messiah Fulfilled in Jesus Christ." Thought Co. Accessed October 16, 2017. https://www.thoughtco.com/prophecies-of-jesus-fulfilled- 700159. 15
Michael H. Koplitz 44 Messianic Prophecies of Jesus Prophecies of Jesus Old Testament Scripture 16 New Testament Fulfillment 8 Messiah would be heir 2 Samuel 7:12- Luke 1:32-33 to King David's throne. 13 Romans 1:3 Isaiah 9:7 9 Messiah's throne will be anointed and eternal. 10 Messiah would be called Immanuel. 11 Messiah would spend a season in Egypt. Psalm 45:6-7 Daniel 2:44 Luke 1:33 Hebrews 1:8-12 Isaiah 7:14 1:23 Hosea 11:1 2:14-15 12 A massacre of children Jeremiah 31:15 2:16- would happen at 18 Messiah's birthplace. 13 A messenger would Isaiah 40:3-5 Luke 3:3-6 prepare the way for Messiah 14 Messiah would be Psalm 69:8 John 1:11 rejected by his own Isaiah 53:3 John 7:5 people. 15 Messiah would be a prophet. 16 Messiah would be preceded by Elijah. Deuteronomy 18:15 Malachi 4:5-6 Acts 3:20-22 11:13-14 17 Messiah would be Psalm 2:7 3:16- declared the Son of 17 God. 18 Messiah would be Isaiah 11:1 2:23
44 Messianic Prophecies of Jesus Prophecies of Jesus called a Nazarene. 19 Messiah would bring light to Galilee. 20 Messiah would speak in parables. Old Testament Scripture New Testament Fulfillment Isaiah 9:1-2 4:13-16 Psalm 78:2-4 Isaiah 6:9-10 13:10-15, 34-35 21 Messiah would be sent Isaiah 61:1-2 Luke 4:18-19 to heal the brokenhearted. 22 Messiah would be a Psalm 110:4 Hebrews 5:5-6 priest after the order of Melchizedek. 23 Messiah would be called King. Psalm 2:6 Zechariah 9:9 24 Messiah would be Psalm 8:2 praised by little children. 25 Messiah would be betrayed. Psalm 41:9 Zechariah 11:12-13 27:37 Mark 11:7-11 21:16 Luke 22:47-48 26:14-16 26 Messiah's price money Zechariah 11:12-27:9- would be used to buy a 13 10 potter's field. 27 Messiah would be falsely accused. Psalm 35:11 Mark 14:57-58 28 Messiah would be silent Isaiah 53:7 Mark 15:4-5 17
Michael H. Koplitz 44 Messianic Prophecies of Jesus Prophecies of Jesus before his accusers. 29 Messiah would be spat upon and struck. 30 Messiah would be hated without cause. 31 Messiah would be crucified with criminals. 32 Messiah would be given vinegar to drink. 33 Messiah's hands and feet would be pierced. 34 Messiah would be mocked and ridiculed. 35 Soldiers would gamble for Messiah's garments. 36 Messiah's bones would not be broken. 37 Messiah would be forsaken by God. 38 Messiah would pray for his enemies. 39 Soldiers would pierce Messiah's side. Old Testament Scripture Isaiah 50:6 Psalm 35:19 Psalm 69:4 Isaiah 53:12 Psalm 69:21 Psalm 22:16 Zechariah 12:10 18 New Testament Fulfillment 26:67 John 15:24-25 27:38 Mark 15:27-28 27:34 John 19:28-30 John 20:25-27 Psalm 22:7-8 Luke 23:35 Psalm 22:18 Luke 23:34 27:35-36 Exodus 12:46 Psalm 34:20 Psalm 22:1 John 19:33-36 27:46 Psalm 109:4 Luke 23:34 Zechariah 12:10 John 19:34 40 Messiah would be Isaiah 53:9
44 Messianic Prophecies of Jesus Prophecies of Jesus Old Testament Scripture New Testament Fulfillment buried with the rich. 27:57-60 41 Messiah would resurrect the dead. from 42 Messiah would ascend to heaven. Psalm 16:10 Psalm 49:15 28:2-7 Acts 2:22-32 Psalm 24:7-10 Mark 16:19 Luke 24:51 43 Messiah would be Psalm 68:18 Mark 16:19 seated at God's right Psalm 110:1 hand. 22:44 44 Messiah would be a sacrifice for sin. Isaiah 53:5-12 19
Works Cited 1986. Back to School. Directed by James Signorelli. Performed by Rodney Dangerfield. Davis, Anne Kimball. 2012. The Synoptic Gospels. 2017. Exploring the Jewish Background to the Life and Words of Jesus. October 16. http://jerusalemperspective.com Jacobs, Rabbi Louis. 2016. What Judaism Says About Reincarnaton. October 16. https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/reinca rnation-the-transmigration-of-a-jewish-idea/. Stern, Frank. 2006. A Rabbi Looks at Jesus' Parables. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. Yamauchi, Edwin M. and Marvin R. Wilson. 2015. Dictionary of Daily Life: In biblical and post-biblical antiquity. Peasbody: Massachusetts: Hendrickson. 21
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rev. Dr. Michael Koplitz, D.Min., Ph.D. is a teacher at Bibleinteract, the Bible Learning University and is an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church. His desire to learn what the people in Jesus day has led him to learning the Hebraic nature of the Bible and that the Old Testament and the New Testament complement each other. He has learned to hear and understand the Scripture in Jesus day by removing the 1900 years of church filters and interpretation thus bringing back the First Century C.E. meaning to the Word of God. Using Ancient Bible Study Methods, which are taught at the Bible Learning University, he presents numerous commentaries in his Discovering Biblical Treasures series and Growing the Gospel series. 22