Yom Kippur - Messiah - Our Sacrifice

One in Messiah Congregation

P.O. Box 254
Franklin, Tn. 37065

http://OneinMessiah.net - 615 591-9820

Our Radio Broadcast is on Sunday at 3:30 pm CST - WNQM 1300 AM, join us!
-------------

Shabbat Shalom

September 22, 2007 - Ethanim 9, the 7th month of God

***** The Day of Atonement , the 10th day of the 7th month is on Sept. 23 (Sat. at sunset, & Sunday until sunset) - a Sabbath also

---

The feasts and holydays of the Lord are all about the Messiah

We are in the 7th month , ( ha ) Ethanim - ( part of September & October )

**1 Kings, chapter 8:2: And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto king Solomon at the feast in the month ( ha ) Ethanim , which is the seventh month .

**Judaism calls this month Tishri which is not in the Hebrew Scriptures.

---------

**remember: The Fall Holydays are here ( shadows of the second coming of the Lord. Lev. 23

Fall Holydays and Feast in the 7th month Ethanim ( 1 Kings 8:2 ) represent "The Second Coming of the Lord".

In short, you better hear the sound of the "Trumpet" , you better be "Atoned" if you want to "Tabernacle" with the Lord thought out eternity.

-------

**Also remember, when I give you a date, it starts "the evening before".

Leviticus 23:32 ...from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.

-----------

***** The Feast of Tabernacles , the 15th of the 7th month is on Sept. 28th (Friday) - a Sabbath - this goes for 8 days and the 22nd day ( Last Great Day ) of the 7th month is on Oct. 5th (Friday) Sabbath

----------

Some news:

Columbia Univ. to Let Iran President Speak - By AMY WESTFELDT - Associated Press Writer

Several Columbia students even some who planned to rally against him said they supported his appearance.

"He's a leader of a large nation and what he says is important, even if it's wrong," said Dmitry Zakharov, 25, a Columbia University graduate student.

Ahmadinejad has called the Holocaust "a myth" and called for Israel to be "wiped off the map."

The White House has said Iran sponsors terrorism and is trying to develop nuclear weapons.

Columbia canceled a planned visit by the Iranian president last year, citing security and logistical reasons.

Rallies are planned outside the university building where he was to speak and at the United Nations, prompting city and state officials to prepare a security detail for him. The city police and the U.S. Secret Service are charged with protecting the Iranian leader along with dozens of heads of state arriving for the assembly.

No threats have been called in, police Detective Joseph Cavitolo said Friday.

The Iranian mission has not disclosed Ahmadinejad's specific itinerary. Ahmadinejad told CBS' "60 Minutes" that he would not stop at the World Trade Center site after his request to lay a wreath at the base of the twin towers was denied.

Leaders voiced mixed opinions about his Columbia appearance.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he wouldn't go listen to him. "I think he's said enough that I find disgusting and despicable," he said.

Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, said in a statement that "anyone who supports terror, pledges to destroy a sovereign nation (Israel), punishes by death anyone who 'insults' religion ... denies the Holocaust and thumbs his nose at the international community, has no legitimate role to play at a university."

The governor took a different approach . "His comments defy logic, history and reason," Gov. Eliot Spitzer said. "He is someone whose views we scorn. But that said, he is here in the state and will be protected by the NYPD and state police and everyone else."

----------------

Israel Today - Thursday, September 20, 2007 by Staff Writer

Minister's recommendation to divide Jerusalem not well received

Israeli Vice Prime Minister Haim Ramon on Tuesday suggested that as part of a peace offer to be made at an upcoming US-hosted summit Israel should offer to surrender the Arab-dominated neighborhoods of Jerusalem to the Palestinian Authority.

Ramon made the suggestion in a letter to leading Jerusalem City Councilman Nir Barkat, a fierce opponent of dividing the Israeli capital. Ramon's letter was a response to a written demand by Barkat that the minister explain his earlier suggestions that Israel could and should let the Palestinians establish their future capital in Judaism's holiest city.

Ramon's letter drew furious responses from politicians across the political spectrum, including members of his and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's own Kadima Party. One party member told Israel Radio that the proposal is better suited to the farthest left-wing fringe factions in Israeli politics, though some have suggested that Kadima is in fact further to the left than it would like to admit.

Analysts see Ramon's recommendations as a trial balloon for future government policy. Ramon was recently made Olmert's chief negotiator in talks with the Palestinians. The two men are believed to be formulating a comprehensive peace proposal of which the surrender of eastern Jerusalem is just a part ahead of the November summit in the US.

-----------------

Adding and Diminishing from the Word of God ( You shall not do )

Deuteronomy 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Deuteronomy 12:32 : What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Proverbs 30:6 : Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

Jeremiah 26:2 Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD's house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD's house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:

-------------------

Judaism and some Messianics do not observe these verses above.

Judaism observes days, and months, and times, and years . They add and diminish for the Word.

Rabbi [ Judah HaNassi ] says : Yom Kippur atones whether one repents or one does not repent.

Talmud, Shevuot 13a - On Yom Kippur , the day itself atones...

-------------------------------------------

Apostle Paul warns:

Galatians 4:9: But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? 10: Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. 11: I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

---------------------------

They add and diminish for the Word.

Mishneh Torah, Laws of Repentance

When you repent out of "fear", Intentional sin becomes unintentional sin.

On a higher level of repentance , of" love", Intentional sin becomes merits, says somes Rabbis in Israel, quoting sources in Judaism.

Even unforgivable sins are forgiven on Yom Kippur. the "day" is so powerful.

If you don't believe me that Judaism says these things, do a google search for intentional sin becomes merits...

Mishneh Torah, Laws of Repentance 1:3

Teshuvah is a soul's experience of the agony of disconnection from its source and its channeling of this agony to drive its return to G-d. Thus, our sages have said that the sins of a baal teshuvah (returnee) are "transformed into merits," and that he attains a level of relationship with G-d on which "even the perfectly righteous cannot stand." His transgressions become virtues, for the distance and disconnection they created have become the impetus for greater closeness and deeper connection. His sins have provoked -- and his teshuvah has actualized -- a dimension of his soul's connection to G-d which a perfectly righteous life never touches.

Thus, our sages say that on Yom Kippur, "the day itself atones". There is even an opinion, held by Rabbi Judah HaNassi, that the day itself atones even for those who do not repent their sins.

Every day when they say the Sha'mar, a certain line is whispered because the angels say that. On Yom Kippur, this line is shouted out. ( and the cow jumped over the moon )

-------------------

Talmud - Mas. Rosh HaShana 16b

R. Kruspedai said in the name of R. Johanan: Three books are opened [in heaven] on New Year,

one for the thoroughly wicked, 24 one for the thoroughly righteous, and one for the intermediate. The thoroughly righteous are forthwith inscribed definitively in the book of life; the thoroughly wicked are forthwith inscribed definitively in the book of death; 25 the doom of the intermediate is suspended from New Year till the Day of Atonement; if they deserve well, they are inscribed in the book of life; if they do not deserve well, they are inscribed in the book of death.

Said R. Abin, What text tells us this? Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.26 Let them be blotted out from the book this refers to the book of the wicked. Of life this is the book of the righteous. And not be written with the righteous this is the book of the intermediate. R. Nahman b. Isaac derives it from here: And if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written,27 Blot me, I pray thee this is the book of the wicked. Out of thy book this is the book of the righteous. Which thou has written this is the book of the intermediate.

It has been taught: Beth Shammai say, There will be three groups at the Day of Judgment

28 - one of thoroughly righteous, one of thoroughly wicked, and one of intermediate. The thoroughly righteous will forthwith be inscribed definitively as entitled to everlasting life; the thoroughly wicked will forthwith be inscribed definitively as doomed to Gehinnom, as it says. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life and some to reproaches and everlasting abhorrence. 29 The intermediate will go down to Gehinnom

----------------

Exodus 32:33: And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book . ( no 3 books here )

Revelation 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

--------------------

enough...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yom Kippur

A Day, but NO Atonement if you don't have the Messiah

Scripture says:

Lev. 23:26] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 27: Also on the "tenth day" of this "seventh month" there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. [28] And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.[29] For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.[30] And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.[31] Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.[32] It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.

Num. 29:[7] And ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls: ye shall not do any work therein:
[8] But ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD for a sweet savour; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year; they shall be unto you without blemish:
[9] And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals to a bullock, and two tenth deals to one ram,
[10] A several tenth deal for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs:
[11] One kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the sin offering of atonement, and the continual burnt offering, and the meat offering of it, and their drink offerings.

The word afflict in Hebrew is "anah" meaning abase, humble or repent and never as "fast" in the scriptures. The Hebrew word "tzum" means fast and is "Never" used in connection with the Day of Atonement. Rabbinical Judaism has tried to replace "the Blood Sacrifice" with fasting.

Lev.17 [11] For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

Read Lev.16: 1 to 34

The Blood of the sacrifice was to be the most important feature of the Day of Atonement. NOTHING can change this! Nothing can be a substitute for the obligatory sacrifice the Law of Moses demands and without which there can be no atonement.

Jer.14[12] When they fast, I will not hear their cry...

Since the Temple was destroyed and the priesthood abolished, a proper Day of Atonement has been impossible to keep.

To whom shall we go?

Within a few years after Messiah's death on the tree and His Resurrection God permitted the Temple to be destroyed and the priesthood abolished. It had served it's purpose and were "a shadow of things to come".

The temple and priesthood are "shadows of things to come". They "point" to the Messiah, the Great Hight Priest and the perfect Lamb of God, without blemish, who took away the sins of the world when He shed His Blood on the tree.

There is only one way to know God and enjoy peace with Him through the forgiveness of sins, and that is believing in Yeshua the Messiah Whom the biblical Day of Atonement "typified" and pointed to. As the scriptures below say:

Heb.9 [6] Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. [7] But into the second went the high priest alone once every year ( Day of Atonement ) not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: [8] The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: [9] Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; [10] Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. [11] But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; [12] Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us .[13] For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

[14] How much more shall the blood of Messiah / Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? [15] And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, ( Jer. 31:31, Heb. 8:8 ) that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

[16] For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.[17] For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.[18] Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.

[19] For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,[20] Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.[21] Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.[22] And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

[23] It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

[24] For Messiah,Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

[25] Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year ( Day of Atonement ) with blood of others;

[26] For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world:

but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. ( Isa. 53 )

[27] And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
[28] So Messiah,Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

------------

ONE SACRIFICE FOR SINS FOREVER

( no more sacrifices for sin are needed )

No more daily sacrifice needed

Heb.7[ 27] Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once , when he offered up himself.

Heb.9[ 12] Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

[26] For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

[28] So Messiah / Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many ; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Heb.10 [10] By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

[11] And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

[12] But this man, Yeshua, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Rom.6[ 10] For in that he died, he died unto sin once

1Cor.5[7] Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Messiah / Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Eph.5[2] And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Phil.4[18] But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

Heb.13[16] But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

1Pet.2[5] Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices,

Rom.12[1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

--------

Isaiah, chapter 53

Our sacrifice, Messiah

John.15 [12] This is my commandment, That ye love one another,

as I have loved you .

[13] Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends

Isaiah Chapter 53 - Yeshua -Salvation

Over 40 references of a man are made in this chapter.

[1] Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
[2] For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him .
[3] He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows , and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
[4] Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
[5] But he was wounded for our transgressions , he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him ; and with his stripes we are healed.
[6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
[7] He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
[8] He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
[9] And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
[10] Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
[11] He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many ; for he shall bear their iniquities.
[12] Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

-----------------------------------

The masculine gender for is used here. The "Land of Israel" is always reffered in the feminine gender.

Hebrew grammar is very involved.

In Hebrew grammar, it is very important to understand the verb system in form, function and meaning. In the Hebrew Bible, there are just over 23,000 verses. In the midst of these verses are found almost 72,000 verbs. Approx. 3 verbs to a verse. Verbs contain person, gender and number. The Qal is the basic verbal stem. There are six derived conjugations which are constructed on the verbal root.

In the chapter, the Niphal stem with the ( 3ms ) form is applied in many verses.

The context of a sentence is very important to watch. Some words take on different meanings pertaining to the sentence structure.

--------------------------------------

Messiah died for the sins of the World

Rom.3[ 25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past , through the forbearance of God;

Rom.5[ 6] For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

[8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.[ 9] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Rom.14[ 15] But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

1Cor.8[ 11] And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

1Cor.15[ 3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

Eph.1[ 7] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins , according to the riches of his grace;

2Cor.5[ 14] For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:[15] And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Col.1[14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins

1John.2 [2] And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Acts.13[ 38] Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Tanakh : Hebrew Bible (Torah/Teaching, Nevi'im/Prophets and Ketivim/Writings).

Targums : Aramaic translations of the original Hebrew Tanakh (Hebrew Scriptures) written between 200 BC and 200 AD.

Talmud : Mishnah (Oral Law) and Gemara (Commentary) written about 200-400 AD.

Midrash : Commentaries on the Tanakh (Hebrew Scriptures) from 100-1600 AD. ( and still changing as of 2006 AD )

Rabbi Mosheh Kohen Ibn Crispin: This rabbi described those who interpret Isaiah 53 as referring to Israel as those: "having forsaken the knowledge of our Teachers, and inclined after the `stubbornness of their own hearts,' and of their own opinion, I am pleased to interpret it, in accordance with the teaching of our Rabbis, of the King Messiah ....This prophecy was delivered by Isaiah at the divine command for the purpose of making known to us something about the nature of the future Messiah, who is to come and deliver Israel, and his life from the day when he arrives at discretion until his advent as a redeemer, in order that if anyone should arise claiming to be himself the Messiah, we may reflect, and look to see whether we can observe in him any resemblance to the traits described here; if there is any such resemblance, then we may believe that he is the Messiah our righteousness; but if not, we cannot do so." (From his commentary on Isaiah, quoted in The Fifty-third Chapter of Isaiah According to the Jewish Interpreters , Ktav Publishing House, 1969, Volume 2, pages 99-114.)

"Here is where change came" :

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Itzchaki, 1040-1105) and some of the later rabbis, though, began to interpret the passage as referring to Israel. They knew that the older interpretations referred it as the Messiah.

However, Rashi lived at a time when a degenerate medieval distortion of Christianity was practiced. He wanted to preserve the Jewish people from accepting such a faith and, although his intentions were sincere, other prominent Jewish rabbis and leaders realized the inconsistencies of Rashi's interpretation.

They presented a threefold objection to his innovation:

First - they showed the consensus of ancient opinion that it was about the Messiah.

Secondly - they pointed out that the text is in the singular .

Thirdly - they noted verse eight. This verse presented an insurmountable difficulty to those who interpreted this passage as referring to Israel. It reads:

He was taken from prison and from judgment; and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living; for the transgressions of my people was he stricken .

Were the Jewish people, God forbid, ever cut off out of the land of the living? No! In Jeremiah 31:35-37, God promised that we will exist forever. We are proud that Am Yisrael Chai - "The people of Israel are much alive." Likewise, it is impossible to say that Israel suffered for the transgressions of "my people," which clearly means Isaiah's people. Surely Isaiah's people are Jews and Gentiles who converted.

The words of the prophet Isaiah are words of hope. We have a glorious future and an abundant present if we appropriate the salvation made possible by the One who "was wounded through our transgressions and bruised through our iniquities."

--------------------

Jonathan ben Uziel (early first century A.D.) Targum Jonathan - Isaiah 52: 13. Behold my servant Messiah shall prosper; he shall be high, and increase, and be exceeding strong:

Zohar: "`He was wounded for our transgressions,' etc....There is in the Garden of Eden a palace called the Palace of the Sons of Sickness; this palace the Messiah then enters, and summons every sickness, every pain, and every chastisement of Israel; they all come and rest upon him. And were it not that he had thus lightened them off Israel and taken them upon himself, there had been no man able to bear Israel's chastisements for the transgression of the law: and this is that which is written, `Surely our sicknesses he hath carried."

---------------------

Why Isaiah 53 cannot refer to the nation of Israel, or anyone else, but must be the Messiah

The servant of Isaiah 53 is an innocent and guiltless sufferer. Israel is never described as sinless. Isaiah 1:4 says : Isa.1[ 4] Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

What a far cry from the innocent and guiltless sufferer of Isaiah 53, Messiah, who had "done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth!" This can only be Messiah!

Isaiah said: "It pleased the LORD to bruise him" meaning God was pleased to have Messiah suffer and die as our sin offering to provide us forgiveness and atonement.

Some untruthful rabbis contend, Isaiah 53 refers to the holocaust. Can we really say of Israel's suffering during that horrible period, "It pleased the LORD to bruise him?" No.

The person mentioned in Isaiah 53 suffers silently and willingly. Yet all people, even Israelites, complain when they suffer!

Brave Jewish men and women fought in many resistance movements against Hitler. In the Vilna Ghetto Uprising, Jewish men who fought on the side of the allies. Can we really say Jewish suffering during the holocaust and during the preceding centuries was done silently and willingly?

In Isaiah 53 Messiah suffers, dies, and rises again to atone for his people's sins. The Hebrew word used in Isaiah 53:10 for "sin-offering" is "asham," meaning "sin-offering." We can look at how it is used in Leviticus chapters 5 and 6.

Isaiah 53 describes a sinless and perfect sacrificial lamb who takes upon himself the sins of others so that they might be forgiven.

Can anyone really claim that the terrible suffering of the Jewish people atones for the sins of the world? No.

Isaiah 53 speaks of Messiah who suffers and dies in order to provide a legal payment for sin so that others can be forgiven. This cannot be true of the Jewish people or of any other people.

How can Isaiah be speaking of Israel in verse 8 that says the sufferer was punished for "the transgression of my people," Who are the people of God and Isaiah? Israel. How could Israel suffer for Israel?

Isa.53[ 8] He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

The figure of Isaiah 53 dies and is buried according to verses 8 and 9. The people of Israel have never died as a whole. They have been out of the land on two occasions and have returned, but they have never ceased to be among the living. Yet Jesus died, was buried, and rose again.

If Isaiah 53 cannot refer to Israel, how about Isaiah himself?

Isaiah said he was a man of unclean lips - Isa.6[ 5] Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

Isaiah did not die as an atonement for our sins. Could it have been Jeremiah ? Jeremiah 11:19 does echo the words of Isaiah 53. Judah rejected and despised the prophet for telling them the truth. Leaders of Judah sought to kill Jeremiah, and so the prophet describes himself in these terms. But they were not able to kill the prophet. Certainly Jeremiah did not die to atone for the sins of his people. What of Moses ? Could Isaiah been speaking of him? Moses wasn't sinless either. Moses sinned and was forbidden from entering the promised land Num.20[ 12] And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not , to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.

Moses indeed attempted to offer himself as a sacrifice in place of the nation, but God did not allow him to do so.

Exod.32[ 31] And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.[32] Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.[33 ] And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book

Moses, Isaiah, and Jeremiah were all prophets who gave us a glimpse of what Messiah, the ultimate prophet, would be like, but none of them quite fit Isaiah 53.

So what can we conclude?

Isaiah 53 cannot refer to the nation of Israel, nor to Isaiah, nor to Moses, nor another prophet.

If not to Moses, certainly not to any lesser man. Yet Messiah would be greater than Moses. As the rabbinic writing "Yalkut" said : "Who art thou, O great mountain? (Zech. iv.7) This refers to the King Messiah. And why does he call him`the great mountain?' because he is greater than the patriarchs, as it is said, `My servant shall be high, and lifted up, and lofty exceedingly' --he will be higher than Abraham...lifted up above Moses...loftier then the ministering angels..." (Quoted in The Fifty-third Chapter of Isaiah According to the Jewish Interpreters , Ktav Publishing House, 1969, Volume 2, page 9.)

Of whom does Isaiah speak? He speaks of the Messiah, as many ancient rabbis concluded. The second verse of Isaiah 53 makes it crystal clear.

Isa.53[2 ] For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

The Messiah grows up as "a tender plant, and like a root out of dry ground." The tender plant, shoot springing up is beyond a reasonable doubt a reference to the Messiah , and, in fact, it is a common Messianic reference in Isaiah and elsewhere.

The Davidic dynasty was to be cut down in judgement like a felled tree, but it was promised to Israel that a new sprout would shoot up from the stump. The Messiah was to be that sprout.

Several Hebrew words were used to refer to this undeniably Messianic image. All the terms are related in meaning and connected in the Messianic texts where they were used. Isaiah 11, which virtually all rabbis agreed refers to the Messiah , used the words "shoot" (hoter) and branch (netser) to describe the Messianic King. Isaiah 11:10 called Messiah the "Root (shoresh) of Jesse," Jesse being David's father. Isaiah 53 described the suffering servant as a root (shoresh) from dry ground, using the very same metaphor and the very same word as Isaiah 11. We also see other terms used for the same concept, such as branch (tsemach) in Jeremiah 23:5, in Isaiah 4:2 and also in the startling prophecies of Zechariah 3:8 and 6:12.

Beyond a reasonable doubt

Isaiah 52:13-53:12 refers to Messiah Yeshua / Jesus. He is the one highly exalted before whom kings shut their mouths. Messiah is the shoot who sprung up from the fallen Davidic dynasty. He became the King of Kings. He provided the ultimate atonement, Himself.

Isaiah 52:15 states: So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him : for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

The word translated "sprinkle", never translate "startle" is found several other places in TeNaKh that pertain to priestly sprinklings of the blood of atonement, the anointing oil of consecration, and the ceremonial water used to cleanse the unclean.

Isaiah 52:13 is telling us that the Messiah will act as a priest who applies atonement, anoints to consecrate, sprinkles to make clean.

This vision of the Messiah as both priest and king is also found in Zechariah 6:12-13), but, priests were to come from the tribe of Levi and Kings from the tribe of Judah! What kind of priest is he? David told us Messiah would be a priest of the order of Melchizedek (see Psalm 110 and Hebrews chapters 7-9).

Isaiah 53 must be understood as referring to the coming Davidic King, the Messiah. King Messiah was prophesied to suffer and die to pay for our sins and then rise again. He would serve as a priest to the nations of the world and apply the blood of atonement to cleanse those who believe. There is one alone who this can refer to, Yeshua / Jesus, whom millions refer to as Messiah or Christ, which is from the Greek word. Those who confess him are his children, his promised offspring, the spoils of his victory. According to the testimony of the Jewish Apostles, Jesus died for our sins, rose again, ascended to the right hand of God, and he now serves as our great High Priest who cleanses us of sin and our King. Yeshua / Jesus rules over his people. The first century Jewish disciples were willing to die rather than deny they had seen the risen Messiah. Remember men don't die for something they know is a lie.

Isaiah 53 is obvious to all honest hearts, it speaks of Israel's greatest son, Yeshua / Jesus, the Messiah, our sacrifice forever!

Shalom

[Click Here to Print]