Role of the Messiah
Religious Studies A: AQA GCSE Religions, topic 5.1.8
Messiah
The belief in a Messiah is 1 of the 13 principles of Jewish belief taken from Maimonides (a medieval Jewish philosopher).
The word 'Messiah'
- The word ‘Messiah’ means anointed one.
- In history, kings were coronated with oil poured on them - they were anointed.
Characteristics of the Messiah
- Jews believe the Messiah will have certain characteristics.
- He will be a direct descendant of King David and will be blessed by God and have success in all that he does, including gathering all Jews to the Land of Israel.
- Jews do not accept Jesus as the Messiah as they believe that he did not fulfil the prophecies of the Hebrew Bible (for example, Isaiah 53).
The time of the Messiah
- The time that the Messiah is ruling is known as the Messianic Age.
- The Prophet Micah said, “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
Reform Jews
- Many reform Jews reject the idea of a leader or future king as well rejecting the idea of Jews returning on mass to an ancient homeland.
- For reform Jews, the teachings about the Messiah and messianic age refer to humanity learning to live in peace with each other.
History
- Belief in the Messiah has helped Jews live through some very difficult times in their history, always believing that things will get better and that ultimately there will be peace and harmony in the world.
Characteristics of the Messiah
Jews believe the Messiah is a future king who has certain characteristics:
Descendent of King David
- He will be a direct descendent of King David and will rule the Jewish people from Jerusalem.
- After he dies his son will rule after him.
Deeply religious pious Jew
- He is a deeply religious pious Jew who will bring about world peace, rebuild the Temple and gather all Jews to the Land of Israel.
Blessed by God
- He will be blessed by God and have success in all that he does.
Not a God
- He is not a God or the son of a God.
Test yourself on Role of the Messiah
What does the word 'Messiah' mean?
What is the time that the messiah is ruling called?
Which of the following is not a characteristic of the Jewish messiah?
According to Jewish beliefs, who will rule the Jewish people from Jerusalem after the Messiah is dead?