The Messiah Prophecies

In the last issue of Hebrew Roots we began a series of articles examining the prophecies found in the Tanakh (Tah-nahk = Old Testament) which the ancient Jewish sages believed referred to the coming of the Messiah. While the prophecies found in the book of Genesis were covered in the first article, this article will examine the remainder of the Torah prophecies. The next article in this series will focus on a portion of the historical writings from the Tanakh.

    The ancient Jewish sages of Yeshua’s day, and even before His time, knew the Scriptures backward and forward. They knew the Messiah was coming, and they combed the writings to locate passages that spoke of or eluded to His coming. A good number of their understandings are preserved for us in several different writings. These include both Scriptural paraphrases and extra-Biblical sources. Some were written before the time of Yeshua, and others appeared after His day. For example, there are writings in both the Jerusalem and Babylonian Talmud, written well after the time of Yeshua, which clearly show the rabbinic understanding of many Messianic passages of Scripture.
    It is on these early works that we wish to focus our attention in this series. The basis for this information comes from the monumental work of a nineteenth century Jewish Believer, Alfred Edersheim. In his classic book, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Edersheim publishes (in Appendix IX) a List of Old Testament Passages Messianically Applied in Ancient Rabbinic Writings. This list contains 456 scripture passages that the ancient rabbis understood pointed to the Messiah or to Messianic times. Seventy-five of these prophetic verses are found in the Torah (the first five books of the Bible), 243 in the Prophets, and 138 in the Writings. Edersheim claims to have supported these Messianic Scriptures with references to 558 Rabbinic writings.
    The works to which Edersheim refers are:

This series of articles will follow Edersheim’s list as closely as seems appropriate. However, with so many of the passages cross referencing each other, we may cover some of the later passages in some detail within earlier ones. Edersheim’s information is either quoted or paraphrased, and other information has been added as seems appropriate.

The Prophecy:
"‘Then you shall say to Pharaoh, "Thus says the LORD: ‘Israel is my son, My firstborn.’"’"
(Ex. 4:22)

Edersheim: "Ex. iv. 22 is referred to the Messiah in the Midr. on Ps. ii. 7." (p. 713)
Ancient Sources: The Midrash.

Obviously, the nation of Israel itself cannot be the Messiah. However, it is clear by the connecting of these passages that the sages understood the Messiah must come from the descendants of Jacob (Israel), and would be known as God’s Son.

The Prophecy:
"‘This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you.’"
(Ex. 12:2)

Edersheim: "‘...let this be the beginning of months,’ it is remarked that God would make new ten things in the latter days, these being marked by the following passages [quoted below]: Is. lx. 19; Ezek. xlvii. 9; xlvii. 12; Ezek. xvi. 55; Is. liv. 11; Is. xi. 7; Hos. ii. 20; Is. lxv. 19; Is. xxv. 8; Is. xxxv. 10." (p. 713).
Ancient Sources: The Midrash Shemoth Rabba, on Exodus.

The connection between Ex. 12:2 and the following ten scriptures comes from the fact that at certain specific times God does make a ‘new begin-fling.’ Such was the case when lie changed the calendar to begin in the spring, and such will be the case when Yeshua returns bringing the olam haba (oh-lahm hah-bah the world to come).
The parallels between the following ten Old Testament Scriptures and those found in the New Testament are quite striking:

"‘And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes.’"
(Ezek. 47:9)

"‘Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for foods and their leaves for medicine.’"
(Ezek. 47:12)

"‘When your sisters, Sodom and her daughters, return to their former state, and Samaria and her daughters return to their former state, then you and your daughters will return to your former state.’"
(Ezek. 16:55)

The Prophecy:
"It is a night of solemn observance to the LORD for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the LORD, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations."
(Ex. 12:42)

Edersheim: ..there were four remarkable nights: those of creation, of the covenant with Abraham, of the first Passover, and of the redemption of the world; and that as Moses came out of the desert, so would the Messiah come out of Rome.” (p. 713)
Ancient Sources: Jerusalem Targum.

It is interesting to note that at least three of these ‘remarkable nights’ took place at the Passover; the covenant of Abraham; the first Passover; and the redemption of the world when the Messiah gave Himself up on the stake.
As to the Messiah coming out of Rome; Yeshua was born and lived under Roman rule.

    The Prophecy:
    "Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying;
        ‘I will sing to the LORD,
        For He has triumphed gloriously!
        The horse and its rider
        He has thrown into the sea!’"
        (Ex. 15:1)

Edersheim: "It is noted ... that this song would be taken up in Messianic days, only with far wider reach, as explained in Is. lx. 5; lviii. 8; xxxv. 5, 6; Jer. xxxi. 13; and Ps. cxxvi. 27 (p 713)
Ancient Sources: Mekhilta (ed. Weiss, p41 a).

    All of these scriptures can be tied to the book of Revelation:
    "And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.
    "And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:
        "‘Great and marvelous are Your works,
        Lord God Almighty!
        Just and true are Your ways,
        O King of the saints!
        Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
        For You alone are holy.
        For all nations shall come and worship before You,
        For Your judgments have been manifested.’"
        (Rev. 15:2-4)

The Prophecy:
"Then Moses said, ‘Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to the LORD; today you will not find it in the field.’"
(Ex. 16:25)

Edersheim: "...applied to the Messiah, it being said that, if Israel only kept one Sabbath according to the commandment, the Messiah would immediately come.” (p. 713)
Ancient Source: The Jerusalem Talmudic Tractate Taanith, on fasting and Fast-Days.

Another Jewish Midrash states that the Messiah will not come until the world is either totally righteous or totally wicked.

    The Prophecy.
    "And Moses said to Aaron, ‘Take a pot and put an omer of manna in it, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations.’"
(Ex. 16:33)
    Edersheim: "This manna ... was to be preserved for the days of the Messiah. Is. xxx. 15 is similarly explained." (p. 713)
    Ancient Source: The Talmudic Tractate Mekhilta, and the Jerusalem Talmudic Tractate Taanith.

The tying together of these two scriptures can only make sense when viewed in light of the previous one concerning the Sabbath. (Ex. 16:25). One lesson which can be derived from these verses is that the Almighty is going to bring about the coming of the Messiah, and we can rest assured that the salvation of YHVH will take place.

The Prophecy:
"...‘Because the LORD has sworn; the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.’"
(Ex. 17:16)

Edersheim: "...refers to Messianic times." (p. 713)
Ancient Source: Targum Pseudo Jonathan.

The Amalekites were a tribe of people descended from Jacob’s twin brother, Esau. They were considered to be the worst of Israel’s enemies, displaying fierce hatred toward the children of Israel. The wicked Haman from the book of Esther (see Holocaust Averted in this issue) was an Amalekite. According to I Chronicles 4:42-43, the Simeonites defeated the Amalekites that had escaped and settled on Mount Seir.
Today, the Jewish understanding of the ‘Amalekites’ is that they live on within all nations of the earth as the ‘spirit of hatred’ against God’s chosen people. For this reason, Adolf Hitler is often referred to as an ‘Amalekite.’ Thus, it is taught that the throne of God will never be fully established on earth until all of the ‘Amalekites’ (those who are driven by their hatred of the children of Israel) are destroyed.

The Prophecy:
"‘Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them:’"
(Ex. 21:1)

Edersheim: "...notes on the word judgments’ a number of things connected with judgment, showing how Balaam could not have wished the advent of the future deliverance (Numb. xxiv. 17) since he was to perish in it; but that Israel should cleave to the great hope pressed in Gen. xlix. 18; Is. lvi. 1; lix. 16; and especially Zech. ix. 9, of which a different rendering is proposed." (p. 7 13-14)
Ancient Source: The Midrash Shemoth Rabba on Exodus.

To the Believer, the Messiah has come in the person of Yeshua. At His first appearance He brought salvation (Yeshuah = salvation) riding on a donkey. At His second coming lie will manifest himself as a "strong right arm" of His Father.
Genesis 49:18 ("I have waited for your salvation...") is a prophecy given by Moshe (Moses) to the tribe of Dan. It is interesting to note that in Jewish eschatology (understandings of the last days), the False Messiah is identified as coming from the tribe of Dan. When you put all this information together, it tells the Believer that we must not try to hasten the Day of the Lord, for that might put us in the camp of the False Messiah (i.e. trying to bring peace through a one world government that is not of God.) Rather, we should wait for God to do his mighty work through His strong right arm, Yeshua HaMashiach.

    The Prophecy:
    "‘And you shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it; and you shall hallow it and all its utensils, and it shall be holy. ...
    "‘And you shall anoint the layer and its base, and sanctify it.’"
(Ex. 40:9, 11)

Edersheim: "...distinct reference to the King Messiah, on whose account the anointing oil was to be used." (p. 714)
Ancient Source: Targum Pseudo Jonathan.

The Messiah is literally the "Anointed One." Just as the Tabernacle and its accouterments were (Isa. 59:16) ‘anointed’ to be set apart to God, so the Messiah is ‘anointed’ to be set apart to God.

The Prophecy:
"‘I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.’"
(Lev. 26:12)

Edersheim: "The promise is also referred to the latter, or Messianic. days." (p. 714)
Ancient Source: Yalkut 62.

One day the Messiah will dwell on the earth and will walk among us. After the thousand years, both the Father and the Son will dwell on the earth. (Rev. 2 1:22; 22:1,3)

    The Prophecy.
    "‘I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves;
    I have broken the bands of your yoke and made you walk upright.’"
(Lev. 26:13)
    Edersheim: "...applied to Messianic times. See our remarks on Gen. ii. 4. [Issue 98-4]
    "The promise of peace in the Aaronic benediction Num. vi. 26 is referred to the peace of the Kingdom of David, in accordance with Is. ix. 7.” (p. 714)
    Ancient Source: Siphre (A somewhat older Commentary on Numbers and Deuteronomy.)

When God, in the person of Yeshua HaMashiach, again walks among us on this earth; there will be no end to His government, to peace, to righteous judgment and justice. In other words, the ‘countenance’ of God will be ‘lifted up’ upon each and every person on the face of the earth.

The Prophecy:
"And the one who offered his offering on the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, from the tribe of Judah."
(Num. 7:12)

Edersheim: "In connection with this it is marked that the six blessings which were lost by the Fall are to be restored by the son of Nahshon, i.e. the Messiah." (p. 714)
Ancient Source: Bemidbar Rabba, the Midrash or commentary on Numbers.

The genealogy of Yeshua lists Nahshon as one of his ancestors.
"Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon."
(Matt. 1:4)

"the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,"
(Luke 3:32)

The Prophecy:
"But the two men had remained in the camp: the name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them. Now they were among those listed, but who had not gone out to the tabernacle; yet they prophesied in the camp."
(Num. 11:26)

Edersheim: "the prophecy of Eldad and Medad is supposed to have been with regard to the wars of the latter days against Jerusalem, and to the defeat of Gog and Magog by the Messiah." (p.714)
Ancient Source: Targum Jerusalem.

    One of the major points of this scripture is that prophesy and visions are not limited to a select group of God’s people. Rather it is YHVH who decides who will speak for Him in this manner.
    "But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, ‘Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
        ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
        That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
        Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
        Your young men shall see visions,
        Your old men shall dream dreams.
        And on My menservants and on My maidservants
        I will pour out My Spirit in those days.’"
        (Acts 2:14-18)

Additional Scriptures

"‘Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom, and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!’"
(Matt. 10:15)

"‘Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.’"
(John 16:22)

"For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ."
(II Cor. 11:2)

"‘...for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’"
(Rev. 7:17)

    "Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.
    "And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. And they sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.
    "These are the ones who were. not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb."
(Rev. 14:1-4)

    "And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:
        "‘Great and marvelous are Your works,
        Lord God Almighty!
        Just and true are Your ways,
        O King of the saints!
        Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
        For You alone are holy.
        For all nations shall come and worship before You,
        For Your judgments have been manifested.’"
        (Rev. 15:2-4)

    "‘Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.’
    "And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
    "Then he said to me, ‘Write:
    "Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’" And he said to me, ‘These are the true sayings of God.’"
(Rev. 19:7-9)

"‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’"
(Rev. 21:4)

"And the construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst."
(Rev. 21:18-20)

"And the city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it, and the Lamb is its light."
(Rev. 2 1:23)

"And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."
(Rev. 22:1-2)

"And there shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign for ever and ever."
(Rev. 22:5)