The Expected Messiah: Jewish Expectations and the Path to Redemption

Throughout history, the Jews have had specific expectations regarding the coming of the Messiah. While many believe that a single individual will fulfill these expectations, the complexity and strictness of the criteria set forth by Scripture make the fulfillment of these expectations highly unlikely. This article delves into the expectations of the Jewish people for the Messiah, the criteria set by the Tanakh, and the difference between traditional and scriptural Judaism.

Expectations of the Jewish Messiah

One of the expectations among the Jewish community is that the Messiah will be a mighty warrior who would conquer the world and establish the Jewish nation as the ruling power with himself as king. This vision is rooted in the historical and cultural context of the Jewish people, who have been seeking a leader to unite and protect them.

Scriptural Criteria for the Messiah

The Tanakh, which includes the Torah, the Nevi'im (prophets), and the Ketuvim (writings), provides specific criteria for the coming of the Messiah. These criteria are often seen as a test for potential candidates. The Devarim (Book of Deuteronomy) outlines the conditions for a successful covenant, emphasizing the importance of obedience and faithfulness.

Throughout the Tanakh, there are several prophecies and expectations for the Messiah. For example, Moshe (Moses) predicted that a future prophet would arise who would be like him and to whom the people must heed (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18:18). This prophet is central to the fulfillment of the new covenant mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah (31:31) and the Book of Isaiah (54:9-10).

The term Moshiakh (Messianic) refers to a figure who will be the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises to the Jewish people. This Messiah will not just be a conqueror but someone who will bring about the fulfillment of the new covenant, as described in Deuteronomy 30:6 and Jeremiah 31:33-34.

Traditional vs. Scriptural Judaism

Traditional Judaism often adopts a tunnel vision approach to the Torah, imposing its teachings without considering the full context of the Tanakh. This can result in overlooking the conditional nature of the covenant, where obedience is required for the fulfillment of the covenantal promises.

On the other hand, scriptural Judaism is more focused on the prophetic and scriptural writings that point to the need for a new covenant. This covenant is described as not being like the previous one, which was conditional on human obedience (Jeremiah 31:32). The new covenant is intended to be unconditional, focusing on the relationship between God and humanity rather than on a list of commandments and their associated consequences.

Prophetic Clues and Prophecies

The Tanakh contains numerous prophetic passages that point to the coming of the Messiah and his role in the new covenant. The Book of Tehillim (Psalms) gives insight into the suffering and sacrifice of the Messiah in Psalm 2, and his death is foretold in Psalm 22. The Books of Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 52:13 - 53:12 and Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 31:33/34 describe the sacrifice and its purpose, echoing the prophecy in the Book of Yeshaya (Daniel) 9:24–26.

The ultimate goal of the new covenant is everlasting forgiveness, which is a central theme in the prophetic books. This contrasts with the Torah, which emphasizes the consequences of failing to adhere to its commandments. The new covenant is not about a list of do's and don’ts, but about a relationship with God that allows for continual forgiveness and reconciliation.

In conclusion, the expectations of the Jewish Messiah are rooted in a complex set of prophetic and scriptural writings. While the traditional approach to Judaism focuses on obedience to the law, a scriptural understanding emphasizes the need for a new covenant that brings about eternal forgiveness. This new covenant is the pathway to redemption for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike, and it remains a crucial aspect of the ongoing quest for peace and salvation.