BIBLE STUDY ISAIAH, THE ROAD TO MESSIAH JESUS

“Masssalian was an elderly man who had once been a priest who Jesus often was with reading the Law (Torah). He described Jesus as a young man of the finest thought and feeling he ever saw in his life; that he was the most apt in his answers and solutions of difficult problems and that his answers seemed to give more universal satisfaction, so much that the oldest philosopher would not dispute with him.  He is the picture of his mother but does not have her smooth, round face.  His hair is a little more golden than hers.  He is tall and his shoulders are a little drooped; his visage is thin and of a swarthy complexion, though this was from exposure.  His eyes are large and soft blue.  The lashes are long and his eyebrows very large.  His nose is that of Jew.  When he speaks about heaven and divine things he eyes light up and his tongue moves glibly.  He never disputes but states facts.  This Jew (Jesus) is convinced he is the Messiah of the world.”

HA-MASHIACH – The First Coming of Messiah

This summary of Isaiah extensively relies upon the work of several Jewish historians who are well-renowned and respected by many Gentiles and Jews who believe Jesus is Messiah.  To exclude mention of the work of such scholars is critical to this summary and without their incredible work it would be impossible to help non-believers and believers better understand the life of Jesus of Nazareth, whose life and ministry instituted world-wide Christianity. First, Arnold Fruchtenbaum, has traveled widely in Europe, Israel and the United States, becoming intimately acquainted with the messianic movement in all its forms and struggles. The completion of his dissertation, Israelology: The Missing Link in Systematic Theology, was the culmination of 13 years of research for which he earned his Ph.D. at New York University in 1989. Dr. Fruchtenbaum has authored numerous published works and recorded many Biblical studies of keen interest to both Jews and Gentiles.

We share with you the fruits of his labor in the “Messianic Studies” pages of this website, as well as that of several others who share his vision to reach Jewish people for Messiah[i]. Second, Schalom Ben-Chorin, known  as a thinker in Reform Judaism –laid the foundation of the Reform community in Jerusalem in 1958 (the Har-El-Synagogue) – and as philosopher of religion mediating between Judaism and Christianity.  He made clear the Jewish origins of Christianity, interpreting some of the central figures of Christianity like Jesus, Paul and Miriam (Mary). He was highly esteemed for his efforts at bringing about a new Jewish-Christian and Jewish-German dialogue after 1945.[ii]

Third, Mottell Baleston, Mottel was born in a Jewish home in Brooklyn, New York City and attended both Jewish and public schools there. All four of his grandparents were born into Jewish homes in Europe. Mottel came to faith in Messiah as a result of a search for spiritual truth. After a careful reading of the Messianic prophecies of the Jewish Bible, it was evident to him that only Jesus has fulfilled these. He is director of Messengers of the New Covenant.[iii]  Bible verses are taken from The 2016 Messianic Jewish Family Bible, Tree of Life Version. [iv]  The purpose of this summary is to deliver insight into the book of Isaiah also known as “The Book of Immanuel” and Jesus who was a Jew.