Azahari Hassim
Genesis 22, verse 18, reads:
“And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
Genesis 22, verse 18, is a significant verse within the context of biblical narratives. After Abraham’s test of faith, where he was asked to sacrifice his son, God reaffirms His promises to Abraham, specifying the blessings that will come to him and his seed because of his faithfulness.
Some individuals contend that the reference to the “seed” in Genesis 22, verse 18, does not pertain to Jesus, citing his statement in Matthew 15, verse 24, as a basis for their argument. Instead, they posit that this reference should be associated with Muhammad, drawing support from Surah 21, verse 107, of the Quran. They believe Ishmael is the son who is to be nearly sacrificed, not Isaac. The articulation of their argument is as follows:
In Genesis 22, verse 18, it is stated, “And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” The Hebrew term for “offspring” or “seed” is “zera,” which can function as a collective singular noun, suggesting that it may refer either to an individual or a group.
Conversely, in Matthew 15, verse 24, Jesus declares,
“I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
This declaration is interpreted by some to imply that Jesus’ mission was predominantly directed towards the Israelites, rather than encompassing all nations outright. This interpretation is utilized to argue that Jesus does not fulfill the universal promise articulated in Genesis 22, verse 18, which emphasizes blessings for “all nations.”
In support of their argument, proponents reference Surah 21, verse 107, in the Quran, which states:
“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.”
This verse is viewed as indicative of Muhammad’s universal mission, which extends to all of humanity, aligning seamlessly with the promise of blessing for all nations mentioned in Genesis 22, verse 18.
Advocates of this position argue that given Jesus’ explicit reference to his mission being limited to the Israelites, he falls short of fulfilling the universal dimension of the blessing foretold in Genesis 22, verse 18. In contrast, Muhammad is characterized in the Quran as a mercy extended to all worlds; thus, they assert that the “seed” referenced in Genesis 22, verse 18, pertains to Muhammad, rather than to Jesus.
The validity of this argument hinges on the interpretation of the scope of Jesus’ mission as presented in the New Testament, juxtaposed with the universal mission ascribed to Muhammad in the Quran.
The contrasting views on Jesus’ messiahship in Christianity and Islam.
Jews rejected Jesus as their messiah, while Christians and Muslims accepted him. The difference between Christianity and Islam concerning Jesus’ messiahship is that Islam does not believe Jesus was a Davidic messiah, as Christianity does. The Quran traces Jesus’ lineage back to Aaron and the Levite lineage, rather than David and Judah. How is this argument articulated?
The differences in the views of Jesus’ messiahship between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are rooted in the religious texts and theological interpretations of each faith tradition.
In Judaism, the concept of the Messiah (Mashiach in Hebrew) is traditionally understood as a future Jewish king from the Davidic line who will be anointed and will rule the Jewish people during the Messianic Age.
The Jewish expectation is that the Messiah will fulfill the prophecies of the Hebrew Bible, rebuild the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, gather the Jews back to the Land of Israel, and usher in an era of peace and understanding.
Since Jesus did not fulfill these expectations during his lifetime, and because Jews do not accept the New Testament as scripture, the majority of Jews do not accept Jesus as their Messiah.
Christianity, on the other hand, emerged from Judaism but took a different interpretation of the Messiah. Christians believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah and the Son of God. They believe that he fulfilled Old Testament prophecies through his teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection.
The concept of Jesus as the Davidic Messiah is central to Christian theology, emphasizing his lineage from King David as foretold by the prophets, such as in the book of Isaiah and the Psalms.
The New Testament, particularly in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, provides genealogies that trace Jesus’ ancestry back to David, aligning with the Jewish expectation of a Davidic Messiah.
Islam respects Jesus as a prophet and the Messiah but has a different understanding of his role and nature. In Islam, Jesus is considered one of the greatest prophets, born to the Virgin Mary without a father, performing miracles, and delivering a message of monotheism.
However, Islam rejects the concept of the divinity of Jesus and does not see him as the Son of God or part of a divine trinity, as Christianity does.
The Quran does not provide a detailed genealogy for Jesus. Although it recognizes his extraordinary birth and his role as the Messiah, it does not establish a lineage connecting him to David and Judah.
Instead, Jesus is often linked with Mary, who is herself described as being from the line of Imran (the father of Moses and Aaron) in the Quran.
This association might lead to the belief that Jesus is traced back to Aaron and the Levite lineage in Islamic tradition. However, Islamic scholars usually do not emphasize Jesus’ ancestry in the same way Christian scholars do with the Davidic lineage, focusing instead on his prophethood and message.
The notion that the Quran traces Jesus’ lineage to Aaron rather than David might be a result of the Quranic emphasis on Mary and her connection to the family of Imran.
It’s important to note that the Quran speaks highly of Jesus and Mary, but the focus is on their piety and their roles in God’s plan rather than on establishing a royal messianic lineage as is emphasized in Christianity.
Understanding Jesus as Messiah: Differing Expectations in Jewish and Christian Beliefs
There is a belief that Jesus was a messiah in the same sense as other messiahs before him. Scripturally, Jesus was not the apocalyptic messiah who was predicted by the Hebrew prophets to establish God’s kingdom in the Holy Land. Could you kindly provide an explanation for the meaning of the preceding statement?
The belief that Jesus was a messiah in the same sense as other messiahs before him refers to the idea that he was seen as a savior figure who would bring about spiritual redemption and salvation. In this context, messiah is understood as a leader or deliverer chosen by God to fulfill a specific role in the divine plan.
However, scripturally speaking, Jesus was not the apocalyptic messiah that many Jews were expecting based on the prophecies found in Hebrew scriptures. The traditional Jewish understanding of the apocalyptic messiah was of a powerful political and military leader who would liberate Israel from its enemies, establish God’s kingdom on earth in the Holy Land, and rebuild the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
Jesus’ teachings and actions did not align with these expectations of a conquering warrior king. Instead, he preached about love, forgiveness, and spiritual transformation. He emphasized inner righteousness over outward displays of power. This led many Jews to reject Jesus as their expected messiah, that is, the apocalyptic messiah.
In Christian theology, Jesus is believed to be the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in a different way than what was traditionally expected. Christians see Jesus as the ultimate savior who brings salvation through his sacrificial death and resurrection, rather than through political conquest.
So, when it is said that Jesus was not the apocalyptic messiah predicted by Hebrew prophets to establish God’s kingdom in the Holy Land, it means that his role and mission were different from what many people at that time were anticipating based on their interpretation of scripture.
Who in the Old Testament is anointed with sacred oil to be God’s Messiah?
Numerous figures in the Old Testament were consecrated with holy oil to symbolize their appointment as holy messengers, commonly known as messiahs (anointed ones). Among them were:
- Kings: The most prominent examples are the kings of Israel and Judah. For instance:
Saul: Anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the first king of Israel (1 Samuel 10, verse 1).
David: Also anointed by Samuel to succeed Saul as king (1 Samuel 16, verse 13).
Solomon: Anointed by the priest Zadok and the prophet Nathan to succeed David (1 Kings 1, verse 39). - Priests: The high priests and their successors were also anointed with sacred oil, signifying their holy office. For example:
Aaron: Anointed by Moses to serve as the first high priest (Leviticus 8, verse 12). - Prophets: Occasionally, prophets were anointed to signify their special role and mission. For example:
Elisha: Anointed by Elijah to be his successor as a prophet (1 Kings 19, verse 16).
In the Old Testament, the act of anointing priests, kings, and prophets with holy oil was a crucial ceremony that identified them as “messiahs” or “anointed ones” in their specific positions.
The term “Messiah” is not restricted to one person but refers to different individuals who are anointed for specific purposes as directed by God.
Does the Quran mention Muhammad as the Messiah whom the Jews await?
In the Quran, Muhammad is not explicitly referred to as the Messiah whom the Jews await. However, there is an indirect mention in Surah 2, verse 89, that can be interpreted in this context.
Surah 2, verse 89, states,
“And when there came to them a Book from Allah confirming that which was with them – although before they used to pray for victory against those who disbelieved – but [then] when there came to them that which they recognized, they disbelieved in it; so the curse of Allah will be upon the disbelievers.”
This verse is believed by some scholars and interpreters to refer to a prophecy mentioned in Jewish scriptures about a future prophet who would come after Moses. According to this interpretation, the Jews were awaiting this promised prophet or Messiah.
Muslims believe that Muhammad is the final prophet sent by Allah and consider him as fulfilling various prophecies mentioned in previous religious texts. Therefore, some Muslims interpret Surah 2, verse 89, as indirectly referring to Muhammad as the awaited Messiah.
It’s important to note that interpretations of religious texts can vary among different scholars and individuals. While some may see a connection between Muhammad and the awaited Messiah based on this verse, others may have different interpretations or understandings.
ABRAHAMIC THEOLOGY 