Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Jewish Sources Affirming the Messiah Would Come Twice, Not Once

The following comes from Jewish sources that teach the Messiah would have two advents, not one, and would fulfil any remaining prophecies in his second coming, showing this is not a Christian “novelty” nor an apologetic ploy to explain why some Messianic prophecies have not yet been fulfilled from the Old Testament (these are taken from Ken Ammi, Is Jesus the Messiah? A Judaism vs. Judaism Debate [No End Books, 2017]):

 

Midrash Rabbah Ruth 5:6 on Ruth 2:14:

 

R. Jonathan interpreted this verse in six ways . . . The fifth interpretation makes reference to the Messiah COME HITHER: approach to royal state AND EAT OF THE BREAD refers to the bread of royalty; AND DIP THY MORSEL IN THE VINEGAR refers to his sufferings, as it is said, But he was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities (Isa. 53:5). AND SHE SAT BESIDES THE REPEARS, for he will be deprived of his sovereignty for a time, as it is said, For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city will be taken (Zech. 14:2). AND THEY REACHED HER PARCHED CORN, means that he will be restored to his throne, as it is said, And he shall smite the land with the rods of his mouth (Isa. 9:4).
R. Berekiah said in the name of R. Levi: The future Redeemer will be like the former Redeemer [Moses]. Just as the former Redeemer revealed himself and later was hidden . . . so the future Redeemer will be revealed to them, and then be hidden from them. (p.116)

 

Midrash Pesikta Rabbati 15:10 (which also offers a Messianic interpretation of Isa 53):

 

My beloved is like a gazelle [Song of Solomon 2:9]. R. Isaac said: As a gazelle appears and then disappears, so [Moses], the first Messiah, appeared to Israel and then disappeared from them . . .
R. Berechiah said in the name of R. Levi: Like the first redeemer, so the last redeemer; as the first one appeared before them and then disappeared from them, so the last redeemer will appear to them and then disappear from them. And for how long will he disappear from then? R. Tanhuma said in the name of R. Hama who said it in the name of R. Joshua, [and] R. Menahema said in the name of R. Hama bar Hanina: For forty-five days. With reference to this period Scripture says, From the time that the continual burnt offering shall be taken away . . . there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days (Dan. 12:11), and then goes on to say, Happy is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days (Dan. 12:12).
These days, over and above the number given in the previous verse, to what do they refer? They refer to the period of forty-five days during which the Messiah, who will appear have appeared to them, will disappear from Israel again. [By way of testing their faith]…
R. Isaac son of R. Marion said: At the end of the forty-five days, the Holy One, blessed be He, will appear to them and bring down the manna for them. (pp. 117-18)

 

Midrash Rabbah-Ecclesiastes I.9, § I-10, § I:

 

R. Berekiah said in the name of R. Isaac, As the first redeemer was, so, shall the later Redeemer be. What is the stated of the former redeemer? And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass (Ex. IV, 20).
Similarly will it be with the latter Redeemer, as it is stated, Lowly and riding upon an ass (Zech. IX, 9).
As the former redeemer caused manna to descend, as it is stated, Behold, I will cause to rain bread from heaven for you (Ex. XVI, 4), so will the latter Redeemer cause manna to descend, as it is stated, May he be as a rich cornfield [“pieces of bread”] the land (Ps. LXXII, 16) As the former redeemer made a well to rise [V. Num. XXI, 17 f], so will the latter Redeemer bring up water, as it is stated, And a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord, and shall water the valley of Shittim (Joel IV, 18). (p. 118)