Jewish Hopes for the Messiah Based on Old Testament Prophecy
The Jewish people, during the time of Christ, had a long-standing hope for a Messiah who would usher in a new age of glory, deliverance, and vindication for Israel. This expectation was deeply rooted in Old Testament prophecies, and Jewish eschatology was shaped by these scriptures as well as historical and political events leading up to the first century. To understand the response of the Jewish people to Jesus and why His mission seemed so unexpected, it is crucial to explore these Messianic expectations.
1. A Time of Trouble and Turmoil
The Jewish understanding of the coming of the Messiah was that it would be preceded by a period of intense suffering and turmoil. This concept, often referred to as “birth pains” or chevlei mashiach, was drawn from various prophetic writings. For instance, Daniel speaks of a time of great distress before deliverance (Daniel 12:1). This expectation created a sense of urgency and anticipation among the Jewish people, as they believed the imminent arrival of the Messiah would come in the context of upheaval.
Daniel 12:1 — “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.”
2. The Heralding Prophet: Elijah’s Return
In Jewish eschatology, the arrival of the Messiah would not occur without a forerunner—a prophet who would prepare the way for Him. This expectation was drawn from the prophet Malachi, who foretold that Elijah would come before the “great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Malachi 4:5-6). The return of Elijah was viewed as a necessary precursor, a sign that the Messianic age was at hand.
Malachi 4:5-6 — “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”
3. Establishing the Kingdom: Glory and Vindication
The Jewish expectation of the Messiah centered around the belief that He would establish a physical, glorious kingdom on earth and vindicate His people. This expectation was based on prophecies that spoke of a divine King who would rule with justice and restore Israel to its former glory. Isaiah described a government established on peace and righteousness, indicating a Messianic reign that would bring stability and honor to Israel.
Isaiah 9:6-7 — “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.”
4. The Messiah’s Battle Against the Nations
The Jewish people anticipated a Messiah who would engage in a climactic battle against the nations that opposed Israel. This warrior-Messiah would lead Israel in victory, destroying and subjugating those who allied against God’s chosen people. Prophecies like those found in Psalm 2 and Zechariah envisioned a triumphant, conquering Messiah who would break the nations with a rod of iron.
Psalm 2:8-9 — “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
Zechariah 14:3 — “Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle.”
5. The Restoration of Jerusalem and the Return of the Scattered Jews
The Jewish people believed that the coming of the Messiah would bring about the restoration of Jerusalem, making it the spiritual and political center of the world. Isaiah and Ezekiel both spoke of Jerusalem being rebuilt, glorified, and inhabited by people gathered from the far corners of the earth. This vision included the ingathering of the exiles, as Jews scattered around the globe would return to their homeland.
Isaiah 11:12 — “He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth.”
Ezekiel 36:24 — “For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.”
6. Israel as the Ruling Nation
The hope for the Messiah also included Israel’s elevation to a position of global prominence and authority. Prophecies in Isaiah and Zechariah described a future where Israel would be the ruling nation, with other nations coming to Jerusalem to learn the ways of God and to serve Israel. The Messiah’s reign would bring peace, justice, and prosperity, making Israel the epicenter of God’s kingdom on earth.
Isaiah 2:2-3 — “In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.'”
Zechariah 8:23 — “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, “Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.”‘”
7. The Kingdom of Eternal Peace, Righteousness, and Glory
Finally, Jewish expectation envisioned the Messiah establishing a kingdom of eternal peace, righteousness, and glory. This was not merely a temporary victory but a lasting dominion where justice and divine authority would prevail forever. The hope was for an era where war would cease, and the knowledge of God would fill the earth.
Isaiah 11:6-9 — “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat… They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”
Micah 4:3 — “He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”
Conclusion: The Divergence Between Expectation and Reality
While the Jewish expectations for the Messiah were deeply rooted in scripture and tradition, the reality of Jesus’ mission diverged significantly from these hopes. The Jewish people anticipated a conquering king who would establish a physical and political kingdom, restore Israel’s power, and bring immediate victory over their enemies. In contrast, Jesus came as a sacrificial lamb, focusing on a spiritual kingdom rather than a physical one.
- Two Comings vs. One Coming: The Jewish people did not foresee the Messiah coming twice—first as a suffering servant and later as a conquering ruler. Prophecies such as those in Isaiah that pointed to a suffering servant were either overlooked or misunderstood. Jesus fulfilled the role of the sacrificial lamb (Isaiah 53), offering spiritual salvation first, and promised His return as the conquering Lion in the future (Revelation 19:11-16).
- Physical Kingdom vs. Spiritual Kingdom: The Jews expected the Messiah to establish an immediate physical kingdom that would restore Israel’s dominance on earth. They longed for a tangible reign from Jerusalem, where Israel would become the ruling nation among the world’s kingdoms. Jesus, however, proclaimed that the Kingdom of God was not of this world (John 18:36). His focus was on establishing a spiritual kingdom in the hearts of believers, not an earthly empire.
- Physical Ruler vs. Spiritual Savior: The Jewish people sought a Messiah who would be a physical, political ruler—a deliverer from Roman oppression who would bring visible power and victory. Jesus, instead, came as a spiritual savior, offering redemption and peace with God. His mission focused on transforming individuals and communities through faith, repentance, and the power of the Holy Spirit, not through military conquest.
This contrast between expectation and reality played a central role in the rejection and misunderstanding of Jesus as the Messiah. The Jews were unprepared for a Messiah who would die on a cross, bearing the sins of humanity, instead of leading a triumphant rebellion against their earthly oppressors. This misunderstanding illuminates why so many struggled to accept Jesus as the fulfillment of their Messianic hope, as He defied their expectations of what the Messiah would be and do.