jesus not messiah?

Question

) "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." Micah 5:2 The gospel of Matthew (Matthew 2:5-6) claims that Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem fulfils this prophecy. But this is unlikely for two reasons.

A) "Bethlehem Ephratah" in Micah 5:2 refers not to a town, but to a clan: the clan of Bethlehem, who was the son of Caleb’s second wife, Ephrathah (1 Chronicles 2:18, 2:50-52 & 4:4).

B) The prophecy (if that is what it is) does not refer to the Messiah, but rather to a military leader, as can be seen from Micah 5:6. This leader is supposed to defeat the Assyrians, which, of course, Jesus never did. It should also be noted that Matthew altered the text of Micah 5:2 by saying: "And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah" rather than "Bethlehem Ephratah" as is said in Micah 5:2. He did this, intentionally no dou

you guys r real bright. i love your defences, yes he is? o that proves it to me degenerate devils

) "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt." Hosea 11:1. Matthew (Matthew 2:15) claims that the flight of Jesus’ family to Egypt is a fulfillment of this verse. But Hosea 11:1 is not a prophecy at all. It is a reference to the Hebrew exodus from Egypt and has nothing to do with Jesus. Matthew tries to hide this fact by quoting only the last part of the verse ("Out of Egypt I have called my son").

Answer 1

And yet the Apostles all died violent deaths with their claims of Jesus on their lips, stating with certainty that He was dead, and rose again.

All but one was either tortured, crucified, or beheaded, and would have been spared if only they recanted their testimony of Jesus. Yet they didn't waiver.

No one willingly goes to their death for something that they know is a lie. For example, the Watergate conspirators could not keep their story straight for two weeks, and then they started snitching on each other, hoping for a deal from the prosecutor. The worst that could have happened to them was prison. And nevertheless, the truth came out. And these were educated, articulate men.

Do you honestly believe that a bunch of unschooled, ordinary fishermen would've been able to construct a lie so convincing that millions ended up following Jesus? Do you think that they could have kept the lie to themselves, even when faced with death?

If you believe that, you're more mislead than those you are trying to convince.

Answer 2

"B) The prophecy (if that is what it is) does not refer to the Messiah, but rather to a military leader, as can be seen from Micah 5:6. This leader is supposed to defeat the Assyrians, which, of course, Jesus never did. It should also be noted that Matthew altered the text of Micah 5:2 by saying: "And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah" rather than "Bethlehem Ephratah" as is said in Micah 5:2. He did this, intentionally no dou "

You are arguing circles around yourself. By your own admission, this verse is not referring to the Messiah. So, how would it contradict Christian theology that Jesus does not fit the description?

Answer 3

Is Bethlehem, town and/or clan, in the land of Judah.

A) Even your interpretation does not tell me that Micah's words were to be taken literally. It is still a symbol of one born out of Bethlehem, town or clan, as Jesus was out of David.

B) The prophesy does not say "this leader is supposed to defeat the Assyrians". I assume your tradition or religion does. If that is tradition, I would still argue that the work of Jesus was not entirely destined for his life on earth. Much of what Jesus is prophesied to accomplish comes at His return. Can you tell me He will not "defeat the Assyrians" at His return? Matthew did not alter the meaning of the text. He stated it as it was taught by Jesus. It does not conflict with Micah. It confirms what Micah said. Remember that Jesus sat with the Disciples and told them all.

I suggest that you have done exactly what you accuse Mathew of doing.

Either way, I thank you for provoking thought.

Answer 4

If you would check a bit deeper you would find that Jesus did come from the clan you stated so that blows your A statement. As for the military leadership, it ain't over yet. The whole world leaders will be done away with and very soon indeed so watch for it. The prophecy did not say if it would happen the first time He came or the second so you can't really say it is not so yet as He has not come in His Glory yet to defeat the nations.

Answer 5

Both of these quotations are open to interpretation, and both are translations from the original language in which they were written, so quoting them as if the speakers actually spoke English is a mistake.

There were also many many "Messiahs" in Judea at the time of Jesus because of the overlordship of the Romans--the people were aching for someone/anyone to deliver them from their oppressors. Christians believe that Christ is that Messiah, but I don't know that the Jews ever did.

Christ, like the Buddha, Babaji, Yogananda, Kuan Yin, and many others throughout human history, is a messiah of a different sort altogether.

Answer 6

Wrong.

Gen 35:19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which [is] Bethlehem.

Answer 7

Since you are a non-believer...no answer will be good enough...

...and you miss quoting scripture from the Holy Bible only shows you have NOT done your homework.

There was more than one prophesy about Jesus the Messiah...

You will have to better than that!

Answer 8

Jesus is the Messiah. Praise the Lord!!

Answer 9

Koran does not say Jesus is the Messiah, Will

Answer 10

The Qur'an says Jesus is the Messiah and that's good enough for me.