The messiahs in the Bible... that's right, plural!

Full disclosure, this was a new discovery for me this week too! Multiple 'messiahs' in the Bible??

I have been opened up to new idea after new idea. One of the facts we have established with our readings and discussions demolishes the "Christian Old Testament". There is a common held belief or interpretation (weather it is realized or not) that the entire purpose of the Old Testament is to show God's plan preparing the way for Jesus. Let me tell you, there are other purposes for the Old Testament Hebrew Bible. Now that we have that paradigm shift out of the way, we can focus on what the messiah, messianic prophecy, messianic ideas are that we find in the Hebrew Biblical texts. 

Let's start with "Messiah", what does that term mean? As we have already touched on, the term 'messiah' as it is used in the Hebrew Bible "is not a reference to the apocalyptic savior of human kind" (Fried). I will let that sink in for a little bit. 

So if 'messiah' doesn't mean 'Jesus' what does it mean? Well, technically 'messiah' means: anointed one. And there are many figures in the Hebrew Bible and in the New Testament who are anointed, chosen by God. 

Where do we see anointed figures in Hebrew literature? Isaiah 45:1... "Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus." To be honest, I didn't even really know who this guy was before this semester!

First of all, this passage was written by second Isaiah, or Duetero Isaiah (which means second). Did you know there are three parts/believed authors to the book of Isaiah? Chapter 1-39 were written by Jerusalem Isaiah and 40-55 were Duetero Isaiah. Isaiah 40-55 write about "one shepherd" to unite and reconcile the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah. 

Let's unpack this a little more, this passage was written after the Babylonian exile. If we get in the minds of the audience of this passage they are refugees continuing "to look to the line of David for restoration" (Bandstra). This audience isn't looking for the apacolyptic savior, but rather for the answer to their present concerns and problems. The people are searching for hope and Isaiah paints the hope that "the people would complete the mission begun by David" (Bandstra). This shows us that corporate efforts are needed, multiple anointed, 'chosen' people of God. 

Who was Cyrus? Cyrus was the only figure in the Hebrew Bible designated as Yahweh's anointed. What does it mean to be Yaweh's anointed? It is more than a title, it shows that Cyrus is a "legitimate king appointed and protected by God" (Fried). 

Does this take away from our definition of Jesus as Messiah? Absolutely not. "Anointed" is a description of Jesus, Messiah is one description of Jesus. Let's see it as an adjective, a descriptive title and not a name. 

See you next week!

Lori