Over the
past 2,000 years, there has been a major division between the house
of Judah (Judaism) and the house of Israel (Christianity)
about who is the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach). Furthermore, there
has also been a major disagreement between the two houses of Israel over
whether the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) is just an earthly man who
is anointed by the G-d of Israel and fulfills the expected functions of
his office of ministry or whether the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)
is the G-d of Israel manifested in the flesh.
In the
last chapter, we learned that the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)
Yeshua/Jesus was born a Jew, lived a Jew and died a Jew. In this
chapter, using Scriptures from the TeNaKh (Old Testament) and the
Brit Hadashah (New Testament) along with Rabbinic and other
Jewish literature, we will examine the issue of whether the Jewish
Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus is the G-d of Israel
manifested in the flesh. We will learn that the entire Bible along with
selected Rabbinic and other Jewish literature teaches us that the Jewish
Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus is the G-d of Israel
(YHVH) manifested in the flesh.
Furthermore,
we will cross-reference Rabbinic and other Jewish literature with
Scripture passages from the Brit Hadashah (New Testament) to
further clarify that the WORD OF YHVH as mentioned in Jewish literature
is the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus. Once the
house of Judah (Judaism) and the house of Israel
(Christianity) recognize that Yeshua/Jesus is the G-d of Israel
(YHVH) manifested in the flesh and is the promised Jewish Messiah
(Mashiach), full restoration can come to both houses of Israel.
THE G-D OF ISRAEL IS YHVH
The G-d
of Israel is YHVH. YHVH is also known as the tetragrammaton.
In respect to the holiness of the name of the G-d of Israel (YHVH),
the house of Judah (Judaism) refers to YHVH as Adonai.
In English, we pronounce the name of G-d (YHVH) as Jehovah. In
our English Bibles, YHVH is mostly translated as LORD. In respect
to the holiness and the sanctity of the name of the G-d of Israel, when
referring to the G-d of Israel in written form, the house of Judah
(Judaism) will write the name of God as G-d rather than God and write
L-rd rather than Lord.
THE G-D OF ISRAEL
AND THE JEWISH MESSIAH ARE ECHAD
To the
house of Judah (Judaism), the most important verse in the Torah is
found in Deuteronomy (Devarim) 6:4. This scripture passage is
known as the Shema. In Hebrew, this verse reads transliterated
into English as:
"
Shema
Yisrael
YHVH
Eloheynu
YHVH
Echad."
In
mystical Jewish literature, it is explained that this verse declares
that the G-d of Israel is YHVH and is a COMPOUND UNITY. In the (Zohar,
Volume 2, page 43) it is written:
"The prescribed daily form of prayer (a
confession of the unity of the Godhead), has for its object, that
you shall know and comprehend it. We have said in many places that
this daily form of prayer is one of those passages concerning the
unity, which is taught in the Scriptures. In Deuteronomy 6:4, we
read first YHVH, then ELOHEYNU and again YHVH, which together make
one unity. But how can three names be one? Are they truly one
because we call them one? How three can be one can only be known
through the revelation of the Holy Spirit, and, in fact, with closed
eyes. This is also the mystery of the voice. The voice is heard only
as one sound, yet it consists of three substances, fire, wind, and
water, but all three are one, as indicated through the mystery of
the voice. Thus are YHVH; ELOHEYNU; YHVH but one unity, three
substantive beings which are one; and this is indicated by the voice
which a person uses in reading the words, "Hear, O Israel," thereby
comprehending with the understanding the most perfect unity of EYN
SOF (the boundless one); because all three are read with one voice,
which indicates a trinity. And this is the daily confession of faith
of the unity, which is revealed by the Holy Spirit in a mystery.
Although there are so many persons united in the unity, yet each
person is a true-one; what one does, the other does." 1
The
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus confirmed the above
belief as written in the Zohar that He is a compound unity with
the limitless one (Eyn Sof) as taught in the Shema. In John
(Yochanan) 10:30 it is written:
"
I
and my Father [Eyn
Sof]are one
[Echad]."
In John
(Yochanan) 17:11, 21-23 it is written:
"
And
now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I
come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom
thou hast given me, that
they may be one, as we are
… That they all may be
one; as thou, Father, are
in me,
and
I in thee,
that they also may be one in
us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory
which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one,
even as we are one:I in them,
and thou in me,
that they may be made perfect
in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast
loved them as thou hast loved me."
THE WORD OF YHVH IS THE JEWISH MESSIAH
The
Targumim are a Jewish commentary on the Scripture passages in the
Torah and the Prophets. The Targumim were considered to be
authoritative Aramaic paraphrases of the books of the TeNaKh in
the first century and were read in the synagogues along with the Hebrew
of the Torah and Haftorah readings. 2
In
various Scripture passages in the Torah and the Prophets, the
Targumim interpret YHVH as being the WORD OF YHVH. In some of these
Scripture passages, it is explained that various individuals trusted
(emunah) in the WORD OF YHVH and prayed in the name of the WORD OF
YHVH. The Word of YHVH is also seen as being the Creator, the covenant
maker and the mediator between the G-d of Israel and mankind.
Furthermore, Israel and the house of Jacob are also seen being
saved by the Word of YHVH. In Jewish mystical writings, the Word of YHVH
is known as Metatron who is explained to be the Son of Yah.
In the
Brit Hadashah (New Testament), the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus is seen riding on a white horse, known as the Word
of G-d (YHVH) and is the King of kings and the L-rd of lords. In
Revelation 19:11, 13, 16 it is written:
"
And
I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon
him was called Faithful and True … and his name is called the
WORD of GOD
[YHVH] … and on his
thigh a name written,
KING OF KINGS,
and
LORD OF LORDS."
We will
now examine some of the Targumim which speak of the WORD OF YHVH
being YHVH.
ABRAHAM AND JACOB TRUSTED
IN THE WORD OF YHVH
Abraham
(Avraham) trusted in the WORD OF YHVH. According to Targum
Onkelos, Genesis 15:6 it is written:
"
And
Abraham trusted
[emunah] in the
WORD OF YHVH,
and He counted it to him for
righteousness." (Targum
Onkelos, Genesis 15:6) 3
According
to the Brit Hadashah (New Testament), the WORD OF YHVH that
Abraham (Avraham) trusted in was the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus. In Galatians 3:7-9, 14 it is written:
"
Know
ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children
of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the
heathen through faith
[emunah],
preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all
nations be blessed. So then they which be of
faith
[emunah]are blessed
with faithful Abraham … That the
blessing of Abraham
might come on the Gentiles
through Jesus Christ;that we might
receive the promise
of the Spirit
through faith
[emunah]."
According
to Targum Onkelos Genesis 28:20-21, Jacob (Ya’acov)
trusted in the WORD OF YHVH and the WORD OF YHVH was His G-d as it is
written:
"
And
Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If the
WORD OF YHVH
will be my support, and will
keep me in the way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and
raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father’s house in
peace; then shall the
WORD OF YHVH
be my
GOD."
(Targum Onkelos, Genesis 28:20-21) 4
According
to the Targum of Psalm 62, King David urged Israel to trust in
the WORD OF YAH at all times. In Psalm (Tehillim) 62:9 (Jewish
version) it is written:
"
Trust
in the
WORD OF YAH
at all times, O people of the
house of Israel! Pour out before Him the sighings of your heart;
Say, God is our trust forever."
(Targum, Psalm 62:9) 5
ABRAHAM PRAYED IN THE NAME OF YHVH
According
to the Jerusalem Targum of Genesis 22:14, Abraham PRAYED in the
NAME of the WORD OF YHVH as it is written:
"
And
Abraham worshipped and
prayedin the name of
the
WORD OF YHVH,
and said, You are YHVH who
does see, but You cannot be seen."
(Jerusalem Targum Genesis 22:14) 6
In the
Brit Hadashah (New Testament), the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua / Jesus instructed His followers to pray to G-d the Father
[Eyn Sof] in His name. In John (Yochanan) 15:16 it is written:
"…
whatsoever
ye shall
ask of the Father in my name,
he may give it you."
THE WORD OF YHVH IS THE CREATOR
According
to the Targumim, the WORD OF YHVH is the Creator. According to
Targum Jonathan Genesis 1:27 it is written:
"
And
the
WORD OF YHVH
created man in his likeness, in the
likeness of YHVH, YHVH
created, male and female created He them.
(Targum Jonathan, Genesis 1:27) 7
In Exodus
(Shemot) 3:13-15, the G-d of Israel revealed to the children of
Israel that His name is YHVH as it is written:
"
And
Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of
Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent
me unto you; and they shall say to me,
What is his name?
What shall I say unto them?
And
God said
unto Moses,
I AM THAT I AM:and he said, Thus shalt
thou say unto the children of Israel,
I AM
hath sent me unto you. And God
said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of
Israel, the Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of
Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you:
this is my name forever,
and this is my memorial unto
all generations."
In the
Jerusalem Targum to Exodus (Shemot) 3:14 it is written:
"
And
the
WORD OF YHVH
said to Moses: ‘I am He who said unto
the world, ‘Be!’ and it was: and who in the future shall say to it
‘Be!’ and it shall be.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the
children of Israel: ‘I AM’ has sent me unto you."
(Jerusalem Targum, Exodus 3:14) 8
YHVH MEANS TO ETERNALLY EXIST
The name
of the G-d of Israel (YHVH) means in Hebrew "to eternally exist." In the
Gesenius’s Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament, by H.W.F.
Gesenius, printed by Baker Book House Company, on page 337 in the
explanation of the phrase "I AM THAT I AM," in Exodus (Shemot)
3:14, Gesenius writes:
"To this origin, allusion is made Exodus 3:14;
(of the Hebrew), ‘I (ever) shall be (the same) that I am (today)’;
compare Apoc 1:4,8: the name YHVH being derived from the (Hebrew)
verb HVH (which means) to be, was considered to signify God as
eternal and immutable, who will never be other than the same."
Therefore,
the name of the G-d of Israel (YHVH) fully translated into English
expresses that G-d is eternal and immutable and that His name means,
"I (ever) shall be (the same) that I am (today)." In other words,
the name of the G-d of Israel (YHVH) means that He eternally exists and
that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. This is the name of
the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus in Hebrews 13:8
as it is written:
"
Jesus
Christ (Yeshua
HaMashiach)the same
yesterday, and today, and forever."
The
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus confirmed the words
of the Jerusalem Targum to Exodus 3:14 when He declared to the
Jews that questioned Him that He was the I AM (YHVH) spoken of in Exodus
(Shemot) 3:14.
In John
(Yochanan) 8:56-58 it is written:
"
Your
father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and
hast thou seen Abraham?
Jesus said unto them,
Verily, verily, I say unto
you, Before Abraham was,
I am."
THE MESSIAH IS THE I AM (YHVH)
OF THE G-D OF ISRAEL
The
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus referred to Himself
many times as I AM in the following scripture passages:
I AM
the bread of life (John 6:35).
I AM
the light of the world (John 8:12).
I AM
the door (John 10:9).
I AM
the good shepherd (John 10:11).
I AM
the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).
I AM
the way, truth and the life (John 14:6).
I AM
the true vine (John 15:1).
In the
Targum to Psalm (Tehillim) 33:6 we are told that the WORD OF
YHVH was the Creator as it is written:
"
By
the
WORD OF YHVH were the
heavens made, and all the hosts of them by the Spirit of His mouth."
The
Brit Hadashah (New Testament) confirms what was written in the
Targumim that the Word of YHVH is the Creator. However, in the
Brit Hadashah (New Testament), the WORD OF YHVH is known as the
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus. In Colossians
1:15-17 it is written:
"[Jesus]
Who is the image of the invisible
God, the firstborn of every creature: For
by him were all things
created,
that are in heaven, and that are in
earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions,
or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and
for him: And he is before all things, and
by him all things consist."
THE WORD OF YHVH IS THE COVENANT MAKER
According
to Targum Onkelos the WORD OF YHVH made the Noahide Covenant in
Genesis 9:17 as it is written:
"
And
YHVH said to Noah, ‘This is the token of the covenant which I
have established between
MY WORD
and between all flesh that is
upon the earth." (Targum
Onkelos Genesis 9:17) 9
Also
according to Targum Onkelos, it was the WORD OF YHVH who made the
covenant with Abraham in Genesis 17:7 as it is written:
"
And
I will establish my covenant between
MY WORD
and between you…"
(Targum Onkelos Genesis 17:7) 10
The
Brit Hadashah (New Testament) confirms what was written in Targum
Onkelos that the WORD OF YHVH made a covenant with Abraham
(Avraham). However, in the Brit Hadashah (New Testament), the
WORD OF YHVH is known as the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus.
In Galatians 3:16 it is written:
"
Now
to
Abraham
and
his seed
were the
promises
[Covenant] made.
He saith not, And to seeds, as
of many; but as of one, And to thy seed,
which is Christ."
THE WORD OF YHVH IS METATRON
According
to the Babylonian Talmud in Sanhedrin 38b, another name
for the WORD OF YHVH is Metatron as it is written:
"Once a Min [Nazarene] said to R. Idith: It is
written: And unto Moses He [YHVH] said, ‘Come up unto YHVH…’ [Exodus
24:1] But surely it should have stated: … ‘Come up unto Me!’ It was
METATRON [who was speaking] he replied, ‘Whose name is similar to
that of his Master, for it is written: For my name is in him.’
[Exodus 23:21]" (Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 38b) 11
According
to the writings of Jewish mysticism, Metatron is the "Middle
Pillar of the Godhead" and this "Middle Pillar" is the
"Son of Yah" as it is written:
"The Middle Pillar [of the Godhead] is Metatron,
who has accomplished peace above, according to the glorious state
there." (Zohar, Volume 3, Ra’aya Mehaimna, page 227,
Amsterdam Edition)
"Better is a neighbor that is near, than a
brother far off. This neighbor is the Middle Pillar in the Godhead,
which is the Son of Yah." (Zohar, Volume 2, Ra’aya Mehaimna,
page 115, Amsterdam Edition) 12
The
Brit Hadashah (New Testament) confirms what was written in the
Zohar that the WORD OF YHVH otherwise known as Metatron is
the Middle Pillar of the Godhead and the Son of Yah. However, in the
Brit Hadashah (New Testament), the WORD OF YHVH otherwise known as
Metatron and the Son of Yah is the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)
Yeshua/Jesus. In Colossians 1:15, 19, 2:6, 9 it is written:
"[Jesus]
Who is the image of the invisible God
… For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell …
As ye have therefore received
Christ Jesus the Lord,
so walk ye in him … For in him
dwelleth
all the
fullness of the Godhead
bodily."
THE WORD OF YHVH IS THE FIRST BEGOTTEN
OF ALL THE CREATURES OF G-D
According
to the writings of Jewish mysticism, the WORD OF YHVH is not only
Metatron and the Son of Yah but He is also the "first begotten of
all the creatures of God" as it is written:
"And Abraham said to his oldest servant of his
house … [Genesis 24:2] Who is this of whom it said ‘his servant?’ In
what sense must this be understood? Who is this servant? R. Nehori
answered: ‘It is in no other sense to be understood than expressed
in the word, ‘His servant,’ His servant, the servant of God, the
chief in His service. And who is he? Metratron, as said, His is
appointed to glorify the bodies which are in the grave. This is the
meaning of the words, ‘Abraham said to His servant’ that is to the
servant of God. The servant is Metatron, the eldest of His [YHVH’s]
House, who is the first-begotten of all creatures of God, who is the
ruler of all He has; because God has committed to Him the government
over all His hosts." (Zohar, Genesis; Midrash HaNe’elam; Page
126, Amsterdam Edition) 13
The
Brit Hadashah (New Testament) confirms what was written in the
Zohar that the WORD OF YHVH otherwise known as Metatron is
the first begotten of all the creatures of G-d. However, in the Brit
Hadashah (New Testament), the WORD OF YHVH otherwise known as the
first begotten of all the creatures of G-d is the Jewish Messiah
(Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus. In John (Yochanan) 1:1, 14,
3:16 it is written:
"
In
the beginning was the Word
[of YHVH],
and the Word
[of YHVH]
was with God, and the Word
[of YHVH]
was God
[a compound unity with Eyn Sof]
… And the Word
[of YHVH]
was made flesh and dwelt
[shakan]
among us (and we beheld his glory,
the glory as of the only
[first]
begotten of the Father)… For God so
loved the world that he gave his only
[first]
begotten Son
[the Son of Yah]
that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life."
In I John
(Yochanan) 5:1, Revelation 1:5, 7 it is written:
"
Whosoever
believeth that
Jesus
is the Christ is born of God: and
every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is
[first]
begotten
of him … And from Jesus
Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the
first begotten
of the dead … Behold, he
cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which
pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him
[Zechariah 12:10,12 — Babylonian
Talmud, Sukkot 52a].
Even so, Amen."
THE WORD OF YHVH IS THE WAY TO THE TREE
OF LIFE AND THE HEAVENLY CITY OF JERUSALEM
According
to the writings of Jewish mysticism, the WORD OF YHVH is not only
Metatron, the Son of Yah and the first begotten of all the creatures
of God but He is also the way to the tree of life and the heavenly city
of Jerusalem.
"To keep the way of the tree of life. [Genesis
3:24] Who is the way to the tree of life? It is the great Metatron,
for he is the way to that great tree, to that mighty tree of life.
Thus it is written, ‘The Angel of God, which went before the camp of
Israel, removed and went behind them.’ [Exodus 14:19] And Metatron
is called the Angel of God. Come and see, thus says R. Simeon. The
holy One, blessed Be He, has prepared for Himself a holy Temple
above in the heavens, a holy city, a city in the heavens, and called
it Jerusalem, the holy city…" (Zohar, Volume 2, Exodus, page
51, Amsterdam Edition) 14
The
Brit Hadashah (New Testament) confirms what was written in the
Zohar that the WORD OF YHVH otherwise known as Metatron is
the way to the tree of life and the heavenly city of Jerusalem. However,
in the Brit Hadashah (New Testament), the WORD OF YHVH otherwise
known as the way to the tree of life and the heavenly city of Jerusalem
is the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus. In
Revelation 21:10, 22:12, 14 it is written:
"
And
he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and
showed me that great city,
the holy Jerusalem,
descending out of heaven from
God … And, behold, I
[Yeshua/Jesus]
come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according
as his work shall be … Blessed are they that do his commandments,
that they may have right to the
tree of life
and may
enter in through the gates
of the city."
THE WORD OF YHVH IS THE ONLY MEDIATOR
BETWEEN G-D AND MAN
According
to the writings of Jewish mysticism, the WORD OF YHVH is not only
Metatron, the Son of Yah, first begotten of all the creatures of
God, the way to the tree of life and the heavenly Jerusalem but He is
also the only mediator between the G-d of Israel and man as it is
written:
"…Every petition sent to the King must be through
Metatron. Every message and petition from here below, must first go
to Metatron, and from thence to the king. Metatron is the Mediator
of all that comes from heaven down to the earth, or from the earth
up to heaven. And because he is the mediator of all, it is written
‘And the Angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel,
removed; that is, before Israel which is above. [Exodus 14:19] This
Angel of God is the same of whom it is written, ‘And YHVH went
before them…’ [Exodus 13:21] to go by day and by night as the
ancients have expounded it. Whoever will speak to me [says God]
shall not be able to do so, till he has made it known to Metatron,
thus the holy One, blessed be He, on account of the great love to
and mercy with which He has over the Assembly of Israel, commits her
[the Assembly] to Metratron’s care. What shall I do Him [Metatron]?
I will commit my Whole house into His hand, etc. Henceforth be you a
Keeper As it is written, ‘The Keeper of Israel’ [Psalm 121:4]" (Zohar,
Volume 2, Exodus, page 51, Amsterdam Edition) 15
The
Brit Hadashah (New Testament) confirms what was written in the
Zohar that the WORD OF YHVH otherwise known as Metatron is
the only mediator between the G-d of Israel and mankind. However, in the
Brit Hadashah (New Testament), the WORD OF YHVH otherwise known
as the only mediator between the G-d of Israel and mankind is the Jewish
Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus. In I Timothy 2:5 and
Hebrews 9:15 it is written:
"
For
there is one God, and
one mediator between God and men, the
man Christ Jesus …
And for this cause he is the mediator
of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of
the transgressions that were under the first
[original]
testament, they which are called
might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."
THE WORD OF YHVH IS THE SAVIOR AND SALVATION
OF THE HOUSE OF JACOB
According
to the Targumim, the WORD OF YHVH is the Savior and Salvation of
the house of Jacob as it is written:
"
Our
father Jacob said: My soul does not wait for salvation such as that
wrought by Gideon, the son of Joash, for that was but temporal;
neither for a salvation like that of Samson, which was only
transitory; but for that
SALVATION
which you have promised to
come,
THROUGH YOUR WORD
unto Your people, the children
of Israel; for your salvation my soul hopes."
(Targum Jonathan, Genesis 49:18) 16
"
But
Israel shall be saved by the
WORD OF YHVH
with an everlasting salvation … By the
WORD OF YHVH
shall all the seed of Israel
be justified …" (Targum
Jonathan, Isaiah 45:17, 25) 17
"
But
I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and I will save them by
the
WORD OF YHVH,
their God."
(Targum Jonathan, Hosea 1:7) 18
Many
Scripture passages in the TeNaKh (Old Testament) and the Brit
Hadashah (New Testament) confirms what was written in the
Targumim that the WORD OF YHVH is both the Savior and the Salvation
of the G-d of Israel for the entire house of Jacob (Judaism and
Christianity).
THE G-D OF ISRAEL IS OUR SAVIOR
The
Jewish Scriptures (TeNaKh) teach us that the G-d of Israel ALONE
is our salvation. In Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 43:1, 3, 11 it is
written:
"
But
now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob
[house of Israel and house of Judah],
and he that formed thee, O Israel,
Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name;
thou art mine … For I am the
Lord [YHVH]
thy God [Elohim],
the Holy One of Israel,
thy Savior
[Yeshua] … I, even
I, am the
Lord [YHVH];and
beside me there is no
savior."
In Isaiah
(Yeshayahu) 45:21-22 it is written:
"
Tell
ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who
hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that
time? have
not
I the Lord?
And there is no God else
beside me; a just God and a
Savior; there isnone beside me.
Look unto me, and be ye saved,
all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else."
In Isaiah
(Yeshayahu) 63:7-8, it is written:
"
I
will mention the
lovingkindnesses of the Lord,
and the praises of the Lord,
according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great
goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them
according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his
lovingkindnesses. For he said, Surely they are my people … so
he was their Savior.
In Hosea
(Hoshea) 13:4, it is written:
"
Yet
I am
the Lord thy God
from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for
there is no savior beside
me."
In Luke
1:46-47, it is written:
"
And
Mary said, My soul doth magnify theLord,
And my spirit hath rejoiced
in
God my Savior."
Therefore,
it is the G-d of Israel alone who is our Savior.
YESHUA IS OUR SAVIOR
The
Hebrew word for savior is the Strong’s word 3467 in the Strong’s
Concordance. It is the Hebrew word Yasha which means
"salvation, save, savior, preserve, rescue or bring deliverance."
The
Hebrew word for the English word Jesus is Yeshua. It is related
to the Hebrew word Yasha. As we studied in the last chapter, the
Hebrew name of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach), Yeshua,
communicates to us in Hebrew thought that He is the Savior of both the
house of Judah (Judaism) and the house of Israel
(Christianity).
The
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus is the Savior of
the G-d of Israel for the house of Jacob. In Luke 2:10-11, it is
written:
"
And
the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is
born this day in the city of David
a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."
In John
(Yochanan) 4:25-26, 41-42, it is written:
"
The
woman saith unto him, I know that the Messias cometh, which is
called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus
saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he … And many more
believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we
believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves,
and know that this is indeed the
Christ, the Savior
of the world."
In Acts
5:30-32, it is written:
"
The
God of our fathers raised up
Jesus,
whom ye slew and hanged on a
tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and
a Savior,
for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we
are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost
[Ruach HaKodesh]
whom God hath given to them that obey
him."
In Acts
13:22-23, it is written:
"
And
when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their
king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David
the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill
all my will. Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise
raised unto Israel
a Savior, Jesus."
Since the
G-d of Israel alone is our Savior and the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus is our Savior, Yeshua/Jesus is the G-d of
Israel manifested in the flesh.
THE G-D OF ISRAEL IS OUR SALVATION
The Bible
not only tells us that the G-d of Israel is our Savior (yasha)
but He is also our salvation (yeshua). In Exodus (Shemot)
15:2, it is written:
"
The
Lord is
my strength and song, and he is becomemy salvation[yeshua]: he is my God,
and I will prepare him a habitation; my father’s God, and I will
exalt him."
In Psalm
(Tehillim) 62:1-2, it is written:
"
Truly
my soul waiteth upon
God:from him cometh
my salvation.
He
alone
is my rock andmy salvation;he is my defense; I
shall not be greatly moved."
In Isaiah
(Yeshayahu) 12:2 it is written:
"
Behold,
God is my salvation;
I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength
and my song; he also is become my salvation."
Therefore,
it is the G-d of Israel who is the salvation of His people.
YESHUA IS OUR SALVATION
The
Hebrew word for salvation is the Strong’s word 3444 in the Strong’s
Concordance. It is the Hebrew word Yeshooah which means
"salvation, save, victory or bring deliverance."
The
Hebrew word for the English word Jesus is Yeshua. It is related
to the Hebrew word Yeshooah. The Hebrew word for the English word
Jesus communicates to us that He is the Salvation of both the house
of Judah (Judaism) and the house of Israel (Christianity).
The
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus is the Salvation of
the G-d of Israel unto the house of Jacob. In Acts 4:8, 10-12 it
is written:
"
Then
Peter [Kefa], filled with the Holy Ghost
[Ruach HaKodesh],
said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel … Be
it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by
the name of Jesus Christ
of Nazareth, whom ye
crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man
stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at
naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Neither is there salvation
in any other:
for there is none other name under
heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
In Romans
10:9-12, it is written:
"
That
if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the
Lord Jesus,
and shalt
believe in thine heart
that God hath raised him
from the dead,
thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the
mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture saith,
Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no
difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all
is rich unto all that call upon him."
In I
Thessalonians 5:9, it is written:
"
For
God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain
salvation by our Lord
Jesus Christ."
THE HAND AND ARM OF G-D BRINGS SALVATION
The word
hand is the Strong’s number 3027 in the Hebrew Concordance. It is the
Hebrew word 3027 which is yad. The Hebrew word yad means
"hand indicating power, strength or to draw from strength." The
word for arm is the Strong’s number 2220 in the Hebrew Concordance. It
is the Hebrew word zeroah. The Hebrew word zeroah means
"arm (as stretched out), mighty, power, strength."
In
Jewish thought, the hand and arm is associated with salvation, strength
and victory. It is the G-d of Israel who stretches out his hand and arm
to save His people. In Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 59:1 it is written:
"
Behold,
the
Lord’s hand
is not shortened, that it cannot
save
…"
In Exodus
(Shemot) 6:6, it is written:
"
Wherefore
say unto the children of Israel,
I am the Lord,
and I will bring you out from under
the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their
bondage,
and I will redeem you with a
stretched out arm,
and with great judgments."
In
Deuteronomy (Devarim) 4:32, 34 it is written:
"
For
ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the
day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side
of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as
this great thing is, or hath been heard like it? … Or hath
God
attempted to go and take him a nation from the midst of another
nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and
by a mighty hand, and by a
stretched out arm,
and by great terrors, according to
all that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?"
In Psalm
(Tehillim) 136:1, 10-12 it is written:
"
O
give thanks unto the
Lord;for he is good: for his
mercy endureth forever … To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn:
for his mercy endureth forever: And
brought out Israel
from among them: for his mercy
endureth forever:
With a strong hand, and with a
stretched out arm:
for his mercy endureth forever."
In Isaiah
(Yeshayahu) 52:10, it is written:
"
The
Lord
hath made bare
his holy arm
in the eyes of all the
nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see
the salvation of our God."
In Luke
1:46-47, 51 it is written:
"
And
Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath
rejoiced in
God my Savior
… He hath showed
strength with his arm…"
THE ARM OF THE G-D OF ISRAEL IS THE MESSIAH
The arm
of the G-d of Israel is the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus.
In Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 59:1-2, 12, 15-16 it is written:
"
Behold,
the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his
ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But
your iniquities have separated
between you and your God,
and your sins have hid his face from
you, that he will not hear … For our transgressions are multiplied
before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions
are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them .. Yea, truth
faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and
the Lord saw it,
and it displeased him that
there was no judgment. And he saw that there was no man, and
wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore
his arm brought salvation
unto him;
and his righteousness, it sustained
him."
The arm
of the L-rd was wounded for the sins of G-d’s people. In Isaiah
(Yeshayahu) 53:1, 5-6 it is written:
"
Who
hath believed our report? and to whom is
the arm of the Lord
revealed? …
But he was wounded for our
transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities
…
the Lord hath laid on him the
iniquity of us all."
The
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus was born to save
His people from their sins. In Matthew (Mattityahu) 1:21 it is
written:
"
And
she [Mary/Miryam]shall bring forth a
son, and thou shalt call his name
JESUS [Yeshua]:
for he shall save his people
from their sins."
THE RIGHT HAND AND ARM OF G-D BRINGS SALVATION
In Jewish
thought, it is specifically the right hand and arm which brings
forth victory and salvation. In Exodus (Shemot) 15:2, 6 it is
written:
"
The
Lord
is my strength and song, and
he is become
my salvation
… Thy right hand,
O Lord, is become glorious in
power: thy right hand,
O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy."
In Psalm
(Tehillim) 17:7 it is written:
"
Show
thy marvelous lovingkindness, O thou
that savest by thy right hand
them which put their trust in
thee from those that rise up against them."
In Psalm
(Tehillim) 89:13 it is written:
"
Thou
hast a mighty arm:
strong
is thy hand, and
high
is thy
right hand."
In Psalm
(Tehillim) 98:1 it is written:
"
O
sing unto the
Lord
a new song, for he hath done
marvelous things: his
right hand,
and his holy arm, hath gotten him
the victory."
THE RIGHT HAND OF THE G-D OF ISRAEL
IS THE MESSIAH
The right
hand of the G-d of Israel is the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)
Yeshua/Jesus. In Mark 14:61-62 it is written:
"…
Again
the high priest
[Cohen HaGadol] asked him,
and said unto him,
Art thou the Christ
[Mashiach],the Son
of the Blessed? And
Jesus said, I am:
and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on theright hand of power,and coming in the
clouds of heaven."
In Luke
22:66-69 it is written:
"
And
as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief
priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their
council, saying,
Art thou the Christ
[Mashiach]?tell us.
And he said unto them … Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on
the right hand of the
power of God."
In Acts
2:29-36 it is written:
"Men and brethren,
let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both
dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day.
Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God has sworn with an
oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh
[II Samuel 7:12-13],
he would raise up Christ to sit on
his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of
Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did
see corruption
[Psalm 16:10]. This
Jesus
hath God raised up, whereof we all
are witnesses. Therefore being by
the right hand of God
exalted,
and having received of the Father the
promise of the Holy Ghost
[Ruach HaKodesh],
he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not
ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto
my Lord,
Sit thou on my right hand,
Until I make thy foes thy
footstool [Psalm
110:1]. Therefore
let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that
same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."
In
Hebrews 1:1-5, 13 it is written:
"
God
who at sundry times and in
divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Hath in these last days spoken unto us by
his Son,
whom he hath appointed heir of
all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the
brightness of his glory, and the
express image of his person,
and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by
himself purged our sins,
sat down on the right
hand of the Majesty on high; Being
made so much better than the angels, and he hath by inheritance
obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the
angels said he at any time, Thou art my son, this day have I
begotten thee?[Psalm 2:7]
And again, I will be to him a
Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
[II Samuel 7:14] …
But to which of the angels said he at
any time,
Sit on my right hand,
until I make thine enemies thy
footstool [Psalm
110:1]."
WE MUST TRUST IN THE ARM OF THE MESSIAH
AND NOT OUR OWN STRENGTH
Both the
house of Judah (Judaism) and the house of Israel
(Christianity) must trust in the arm of the Messiah (Mashiach) to
be our salvation and not trust in our own arm and strength. In Jeremiah
(Yermiyahu) 17:5, 7 it is written:
"
Thus
saith the Lord:
Cursed be the man
that trusteth in man and
maketh flesh his arm,
and whose heart departeth from
the Lord …
Blessed is the man
that
trusteth in the Lord,
and whose hope the Lord is."
THE G-D OF ISRAEL IS THE FIRST AND LAST
The G-d
of Israel is the first and the last. In Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 41:4
it is written:
"
Who
hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the
beginning? I am the
Lord,the
first,
and with the
last,
I am he."
The G-d
of Israel is the first and the last. He is the King of Israel and the
redeemer of His people. In Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 44:6, it is
written:
"
Thus
saith the
Lord
the
King of Israel,
and his redeemer the Lord of
hosts: I am the
first,
and I am the
last;and beside me there is
no God."
The way
that you would express the phrase first and the last using the Hebrew
alphabet is with the Hebrew letters Alef and Tav. Alef
is the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet and Tav is the last
letter in the Hebrew alphabet. The first and last letters in the Greek
alphabet are Alpha and Omega respectively.
THE MESSIAH IS THE FIRST AND THE LAST
The
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus is the first and
the last, the beginning and the end. He is the Alef and the
Tav, the Alpha and Omega. In Revelation 1:5, 7-8 it is
written:
"
And
from
Jesus Christ,
who is the faithful witness,
and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of
the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in
his own blood .. Behold, he cometh with clouds: and every eye shall
see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the
earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega
[Alef and Tav in Hebrew],
the beginning
and
the ending,
saith the Lord,
which is,
and
which was,
and
which is to come,
the Almighty."
The way
that you would say "which is, and which was and which is to come"
in Hebrew is YHVH. The Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus
is YHVH, the beginning and the end, the Alef and the Tav.
In Revelation 2:8 it is written:
"
And
unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These things saith
the first and the last,which was dead and is
alive."
In
Revelation 21:5-6 it is written:
"
And
he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And
he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And
he said unto me, It is done.
I am Alpha and Omega[Alef and Tav in Hebrew],
the beginning and the end.
I will give unto him that is
athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."
In
Revelation 22:12-13 it is written:
"
And,
behold,
I come quickly;and my reward is with
me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and
Omega,
the beginning and the end, the first
and the last."
THE MESSIAH IN ISAIAH 52/53
IN JEWISH LITERATURE
In
various Jewish commentaries in Jewish literature when referring to the
Scripture passages in Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 52/53, it will be said
that these verses in Isaiah 52/53 speak about the Jewish Messiah
(Mashiach). We will examine of few of these references in this
section of the chapter. On Isaiah 52:7 it is written:
"Rabbi Jose the Galilean says: Great is peace �������
for at the hour the
King
Messiah reveals himself unto Israel, he will
begin in no other way than with ‘peace’ as it is written:
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of the messenger of good news, that announces peace
[Isaiah 52:7]." (Numbers Rabbah XI, 16-20) 19
On Isaiah
52:13 it is written:
"
Behold,
My servant the Messiah
shall prosper, he shall be exalted and great and very powerful."
(Targum Jonathan, Isaiah 52:13) 20
On Isaiah
52:15-53:2 it is written:
"
Regarding
the mission by which Messiah will present himself … Isaiah states,He grew like a tender
plant and as a root out of dry land … At him will kings shut their
mouths, for what had not been told unto them shall they see, and
what they never heard shall they understand."
(Maimonides) 21
On Isaiah
53:3 it is written:
"
Man"
in the passage[Isaiah 53:3] … refers to
the Messiah, the Son of David
… (Midrash Thanhumi, Rabbi Nahman) 22
On Isaiah
53:4-5 it is written:
"The Rabanan say that the
Messiah’s name
is the Suffering Scholar
of Rabbi’s House (or the Leper Scholar) for it is written,
‘Surely he has born our grief and carried our sorrows, yet we did
esteem him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted.’ "
[Isaiah 53:4] (Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 98a) 23
"
The
Messiah — what is his name? … The House
of Rabbi Judah the Holy One says:
The Sick One
… Surely he has born our
sicknesses [Isaiah
53:4](Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 98b) 24
"The Holy One gave
Messiah the
opportunity to save souls but to be severely chastised …
Messiah accepted the chastisement of
love
… ‘He was oppressed, and he was afflicted.’
And when Israel is sinful,
the Messiah
seeks mercy on them … ‘By
his stripes we were healed and He carried the sins of many'
…" (Rabbi Moshe Hadershan; Midrash
Rabbah; Bereshit Rabbah) 25
THE MESSIAH WILL SET HIS FEET UPON
THE MOUNT OF OLIVES
In
traditional Judaism and in Rabbinic literature, the mount of Olives is
called the mountain of the Messiah (Mashiach). After the Jewish
Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus was resurrected, He left
the earth to return to Heaven (Olam Haba) to sit at the right
hand of the Father from the Mount of Olives. In Acts 1:9-12 it is
written:
"
And
when he had spoken these things, while they beheld,
he
[Jesus] was taken up;and a cloud received
him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward
heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white
apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up
into heaven?
this same Jesus,
which is taken up from you into heaven,
shall so come in like manner
as ye have seen him go into
heaven. Then returned they unto Jerusalem
from the mount called
Olivet [Olives],
which is from Jerusalem a sabbath
day’s journey."
When the
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus returns at His
second coming as the Kingly Messiah (Messiah ben David), He will
set His feet upon the mount of Olives. In Zechariah 14:3-4, 9 it is
written:
"
Then
shall the
Lord
go forth … and
his feet shall stand in
that day upon the mount of Olives …
and the Lord shall be
king over all the earth:in that day shall there
be one Lord, and his name one."
The
person’s feet who stands upon the mount of Olives in Zechariah 14:4 is
the L-rd in Zechariah 14:3. The word translated as LORD in Zechariah
14:3 is the Hebrew word YHVH. The feet of YHVH will stand upon the mount
of Olives. This is the feet of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)
Yeshua/Jesus (Acts 1:9-12).
THE MESSIAH IS KING OF KINGS
AND L-RD OF LORDS
There is
an ancient Jewish prayer known as the Aleinu which is prayed
regularly in Jewish synagogue services around the world. The Aleinu
prayer is an affirmation that the G-d of Israel is King over all the
earth. In reciting this prayer, Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 45:23 is
quoted as it is written:
"…
That
unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear."
In the
preceding verse in Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 45:22, it tells us that the
one to whom every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall swear is the
G-d of Israel as it is written:
"
Look
unto me, and be ye saved,
all the ends of the earth: for
I am God,
and there is none else."
Every
knee will bow to the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus,
the Kingly Messiah (Messiah ben David). In Philippians 2:5-11 it
is written:
"
Let
this mind be in you, which was also in
Christ Jesus: Who, being in the
form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:But made himself of no
reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in
the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled
himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the
cross. Wherefore
God also hath highly exalted him,
and given him a name which is
above every name: That
at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow,
of things in heaven, and things in
earth, and things under the earth: And that
every tongue should
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father."
The
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus is the King of
kings and the L-rd of lords. In Revelation 19:11, 13, 15-16 it is
written:
"
And
I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse
[symbolic of the Kingly Messiah in Jewish
thought]:and he
that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness
he doth judge and make war … and he was clothed with a vesture
dipped in blood: and
his name is called The Word of God
… and out of his mouth goeth a
sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall
rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the
fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and
on his thigh a name written,
King of kings and Lord of
lords."
THE MESSIAH AS YHVH IN THE TALMUD
In the
days that the G-d of Israel restores the house of Judah (Judaism)
with the house of Israel (Christianity), the house of Judah
(Judaism) will mourn and weep for the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus whom they have pierced. In Zechariah 12:9-10 it is
written:
"
And
it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all
the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour upon the
house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of
grace and of supplications: and
they shall look upon me
whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him,
as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for
him,
as one that is in bitterness for his
firstborn."
When the
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus returns at His
second coming as the Kingly Messiah known as Messiah ben David,
the Babylonian Talmud explains in Sukkot 52a that they
will mourn because of the slaying of the suffering Messiah known as
Messiah be Yosef as it is written:
"What is the cause of the mourning [of Zechariah
12:12] … it is well according to him who explains that the cause is
the
slaying of Messiah the son
of Joseph, since that well agrees with the
scripture verse: ‘And
they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn
for him as one mourns for his only son.’
[Zechariah 12:10]" (Babylonian Talmud,
Sukkot 52a) 26
While the
Babylonian Talmud in Sukkot 52a does not recognize that
the one being slain is the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus,
the one who is said to be slain in Zechariah 12:10 in the Hebrew text is
YHVH when read in the context of Zechariah 12:7-12. Sukkot 52a in
the Talmud interprets YHVH in Zechariah 12:7-12 as the suffering
Messiah known as Messiah ben Yosef.
In Isaiah
(Yeshayahu) 8:13-14 it is written:
"
Sanctify
the
Lord[YHVH]
of hosts … And he
[YHVH]
shall be a sanctuary; but for a stone
of stumbling and for a rock of offense to
both the houses of Israel…"
While the
text in Israel 8:13-14 speaks of YHVH being a sanctuary and a stone of
stumbling to both houses of Israel, the Babylonian Talmud in
Sanhedrin 38a interprets YHVH in these verses to be the Messiah as
it is written:
"The
son of
David [the Messiah] cannot appear ere the two
ruling Houses of Israel shall have come to an end … And he
[Messiah/YHVH] will become a
sanctuary, but to
both the houses of Israel…"
(Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 38a) 27
THE MESSIAH IS THE G-D OF ISRAEL (YHVH)
MANIFESTED IN THE FLESH
The
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus is the G-d of
Israel manifested in the flesh. In I Timothy 3:16 it is written:
"
And
without controversy great is the mystery
[sod/deeper meaning]
of godliness:
God was manifest in the
flesh,
justified in the Spirit, seen of
angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world,
received up into glory."
WHOM DO MEN SAY THAT THE MESSIAH IS?
Historically,
the house of Judah (Judaism) and the house of Israel
(Christianity) have had a difference of viewpoint regarding who is the
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)? Is the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus or should we expect another? Whom do the people of
the earth say that the Messiah (Mashiach) is? This is the
question that every person on the earth must ask and answer for himself
including the house of Judah (Judaism) and the house of Israel
(Christianity). This is the question that the Jewish Messiah
(Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus asked His disciples (talmidim)
in Matthew (Mattityahu) 16:13-17 as it is written:
"
When
Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked
his disciples, saying,
Whom do men say that I the Son of man
am? And they said, Some say
that thou art John
[Yochanan]the
Baptist [Immerser]:some, Elijah
[Eliyahu];
and others, Jeremiah
[Yermiyahu],
or one of the prophets. He saith unto
them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon
[Shimon]
Peter
[Kefa]
answered and said,
Thou art the Christ[Mashiach],the Son
of the Living God.
And Jesus answered and said unto him,
Blessed art thou, Simon
[Shimon]
Bar-jona: for flesh and blood
[natural human reasoning and
understanding]hath
not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."
It is G-d
the Father through His Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) who reveals
unto men that Yeshua/Jesus is the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach).
In I Corinthians 12:3 it is written:
"
Wherefore
I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God
calleth Jesus accursed: and that
no man can say that Jesus is the
Lord, but by the Holy Ghost [Ruach HaKodesh]."
YESHUA/JESUS IS THE JEWISH MESSIAH
When the
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus came at His first
coming as the suffering Messiah (Mashiach) known as the Messiah
son of Joseph (Messiah ben Yosef), He claimed to be the Jewish
Messiah. In Luke 24:36, 44-46 it is written:
"
And
as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and
saith unto them, Peace be unto you
[Shalom Alechem] …
And he said unto them, These are the
words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all
things must be fulfilled, which were
written in the law[Torah]of
Moses, and in
the prophets,
and in
the Psalms,
concerning me. Then opened he
their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, and
said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved
Christ[Mashiach]to
suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day."
The
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus testified to the
leaders of the house of Judah (Judaism) in His day that He was
the Messiah (Mashiach). In Luke 22:66-67, 69-71 it is written:
"
And
as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief
priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their
council, saying,
Art thou the Christ[Mashiach]?tell
us.
And he said unto them … Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the
right hand of the power of God.
Then said they all, Art thou then the
Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. And they said,
What need we any further witness? For we ourselves have heard of his
own mouth."
THE MESSIAH IS THE G-D OF ISRAEL
In this
chapter, we examined the question that has been a MAJOR disagreement
between the house of Judah (Judaism) and the house of Israel
(Christianity) for nearly 2,000 years. Is the Jewish Messiah
(Mashiach) the G-d of Israel manifested in the flesh or is the
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) just an ordinary human being who is
anointed by the G-d of Israel to perform a divine mission?
The name
of the G-d of Israel is YHVH. We learned by examining Rabbinic and other
Jewish literature that when the Biblical text speaks of YHVH that the
Jewish commentaries often viewed the text to read the WORD OF YHVH. In
various places in Jewish literature, it was explained that various
individuals trusted (emunah) in the WORD OF YHVH and prayed in
the name of the WORD OF YHVH. The Word of YHVH is also seen as being the
Creator, the Covenant maker and the Mediator between the G-d of Israel
and mankind. Furthermore, Israel and the house of Jacob are seen
being saved by the WORD OF YHVH. In Jewish mystical writings, the WORD
OF YHVH is known as Metatron who is explained to be the Son of
Yah. From this, we were able to discover that all the references which
we examined in Jewish literature that mentions the WORD OF YHVH actually
speaks of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus in
the Brit Hadashah (New Testament).
Furthermore,
by comparing the TeNaKh (Old Testament) with the Brit Hadashah
(New Testament), we were able to understand that the G-d of Israel is
our Savior and our salvation. He saves by the strength of His right hand
and arm. He is the beginning and the end, the first and the last, the
Alef and the Tav, the King of kings and the L-rd of lords.
Finally, we were able to understand that all of these characteristics
and attributes of the G-d of Israel are associated with the Jewish
Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus. Through this extensive study, we
were able to understand that the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)
Yeshua/Jesus is the G-d of Israel (YHVH) manifested in the
flesh.
When the
house of Judah (Judaism) recognizes that the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)Yeshua/Jesus is the G-d of Israel manifested in the flesh,
restoration can come to both houses of Israel. May the G-d of Israel
pour out His Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) speedily in our days so
that redemption, restoration, reconciliation, and unity can come to both
houses of Israel. Amen.
The Northern Kingdom (Ephraim) and the
Southern Kingdom (Judah) differed both politically and religiously. They
have never been united since the split between them following the days
of Solomon. The Northern Kingdom was taken captive by the Assyrians.
Upon their captivity, the Ten Tribes have been assimilated and
intermingled into the nations of the world. The intermarriage of the
Assyrians and the descendents of the Northern Kingdom who lived in the
land of Israel were known as Samaritans. The Jews and the Samaritans
never got along with each other. Joseph being sold by his brothers
foreshadows the dividing of the nation of Israel into Northern Kingdom
and Southern Kingdom. Joseph's unification with His brothers foreshadows
the unification of Ephraim and Judah in the end of days. Ezekiel lying
on his side foreshadows the sin and punishment of the Northern Kingdom.
The suffering of a righteous individual can atone for the sins of the
nation of Israel. The suffering of Ezekiel foreshadows the suffering of
the Messiah for His people. The Ten Tribes did not unite with Judah at
the end of the Babylonian captivity during the days of Ezra and
Nehemiah. Orthodox Jews pray three times a day for the ingathering of
the exiles of Israel. The Ten Tribes will return to the land of Israel
and be united with Judah at the dawn of the Messianic Era. It is the
Messiah who will gather the exiles of Israel.
Over the
past 2,000 years, there has been a major division between the house
of Judah (Judaism) and the house of Israel (Christianity)
about who is the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach). Furthermore, there
has also been a major disagreement between the two houses of Israel over
whether the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) is just an earthly man who
is anointed by the G-d of Israel and fulfills the expected functions of
his office of ministry or whether the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)
is the G-d of Israel manifested in the flesh.