Is Jesus the Messiah? A Look at the Hebrew Scriptures
For centuries, the Jewish people have awaited the arrival of the Messiah—the anointed one who will bring redemption and establish God’s kingdom. But what if the Messiah has already come? What if the very scriptures of the Tanakh (Jewish Bible) reveal His identity?
The apostle Paul, a devout Jew trained in the Torah, wrote extensively about the Messiah in his letter to the Romans. But his arguments were not based on new teachings; rather, they were deeply rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures. Let’s explore how Paul’s writings align with the prophecies of the Tanakh.
1. The Messiah Must Be from the Line of David
Paul states in Romans 1:3 that the Messiah was “made of the seed of David according to the flesh.” This is a direct reference to the Jewish expectation that the Messiah would come from David’s lineage.
- 2 Samuel 7:12-16 – God promises David that his throne will be established forever.
- Jeremiah 23:5-6 – The Messiah is called the “righteous Branch” from David’s line.
- Micah 5:2 – The ruler of Israel will come from Bethlehem, David’s hometown.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem and traced His lineage directly to David, fulfilling this requirement.
