Comment:
The Messiah depicted by the Hebrew prophets was NOT verified in Jesus. Their Messiah was a warlike conqueror, who should slay and subdue the Gentiles, and deliver Israel from the enemies. Who is right, the prophets or Christian apologists?
Response:
What can I say? I believe that you are simply mistaken in your stated belief regarding the Jewish prophets. There are dozens of very precise messianic prophecies which are fulfilled in great detail by Jesus. In fact, I have concluded that there is not a single prophecy of the Messiah that Jesus did not fulfill. Of course, this is just talk, unless I can supply evidence. Fortunately, there is plenty of evidence. Micah 5:2 tells us that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Zechariah 11:12-13 tells us that Messiah would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Zechariah 9:9 tells us that Messiah will enter Jerusalem as a king, but humble and riding on a donkey. Jesus fulfilled this prophecy, as everyone knows! Psalm 22:15-16 tells us the Messiah will be “pierced” in his hands and his feet, and that his clothing will be gambled over. This was fulfilled in Jesus as well. Then there is Isaiah 7:14, which is a prophecy that Messiah would miraculously be born of a virgin. Check that one off the list. And then there is Isaiah 53:1-12, with many detailed prophecies about the Messiah, including his silence when accused, his being pierced and his rising from the dead, again fulfilled in detail by Jesus.
There is my evidence, although I could have provided many more in support of my claim that Jesus did indeed fulfill the Messianic expectation in SO many ways. So, you claim that he did NOT fulfill the messianic expectation. OK. Good, Where is your evidence? You simply made a statement, but you provided no support for your statement. I would like to humbly submit that your statement is simply not true! There is no prophecy in Hebrew scripture which predicts that Messiah will lead armies and be a worldly conqueror. If you believe there is one, please present it. No, like it says in Zechariah 9:9, Messiah will be gentle and will ride into the city on a donkey, not on a victor’s horse. I am afraid that you are misreading the messianic prophecies. Of course, you are not alone, as many Jews have had wishful thinking that Messiah would come as a conquering, sword-bearing general. The problem with this is that Scripture does not support this view of Messiah.
Yes, there are prophecies of Messiah delivering Israel from her enemies, but these are not war-like, militaristic prophecies. They are about a gentle Messiah who sacrifices his own life so that Israel and the Gentiles can be saved. Isaiah 42:3 is a messianic prophecy which says about Messiah, “a bruised reed he will not break.” Yes, Messiah will deliver Israel, but not by slaying his enemies. This is simply a false reading of the Hebrew Bible.
You ask, “Who is right, the OT prophets or Christian apologists?” This is a false dilemma. They are both right.
John Oakes