The Messiah and the Messianic age (Golden Age)

Lo – This lesson will enable you to:

1) Explore the Jewish idea of a perfect world in a Messianic Age

2) Analyse the characteristics of a Jewish Messiah.

Please write keywords in the back of your books, with a

sentence to explain what they mean.

Messiah

Anointed one

Prophet Golden

age

Messianic age

A Golden age for Chelsea.

A Golden age of

Fashion?

Golden age of Protest?

Golden age of movies?

In pairs write down what you think is meant by the term ‘Golden Age’ and how it could be achieved.

You have 3 Minutes

Exercise 1

Golden age

Golden age

What might a ‘Golden age’ in Judaism be like and how might it be achieved ?

Golden Age

The Messianic Age – Golden Age The Messianic age is a term used by Jewish people to describe a future time on earth.

A time of peace on earth without crime, war and poverty.

The Messianic age In Judaism , this time of peace on earth will be under the rule of a Messiah or ‘Anointed one’, who will be sent by G-d.

Jews believe that in the Messianic Age G-d’s values and teachings found in the Torah (10 commandments ect) will be valued by everyone in the world.

This will caused there to be a time of justice and harmony throughout the world, with no more warfare or suffering.

Characteristics of the Messiah‘Messiah’ means ‘Anointed One’ and people such as kings.

Priests and prophets where anointed in Jewish scriptures.

The ancient practice of anointing with holy oil, signified being chosen for a task (particularly divinely chosen).

The Characteristics of the Messiah

The characteristics of the Messiah can be found in Isaiah 9:5-6

1) He will be born and

have the authority of

G-d.

The Characteristics of the Messiah

2) He will be a peaceful ruler and

introduce a time of peace that will last

forever.

The Characteristics of the Messiah

3) He will sit on a throne in Jerusalem.

The Characteristics of the Messiah

4) He will rule justly over the world.

The idea of the Messiah

Through out history Jews have been persecuted. The belief in a coming Messiah has always offered hope that one day peace will come.

Claims of Messiahs have continued to the present day but , for most Jews, the Messiah is someone that they are still waiting for and who will establish the Golden Messianic Age

Exercise 2

1)Read Micah 4:1-3

2)Write down ten words to remind you of the scripture and its order.

• Micah 4:1-3 (New International Version)• Micah 4• The Mountain of the LORD •  1 In the last days

       the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established        as chief among the mountains;        it will be raised above the hills,        and peoples will stream to it.

•  2 Many nations will come and say,        "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,        to the house of the God of Jacob.        He will teach us his ways,        so that we may walk in his paths."        The law will go out from Zion,        the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

•  3 He will judge between many peoples        and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide.        They will beat their swords into plowshares        and their spears into pruning hooks.        Nation will not take up sword against nation,        nor will they train for war anymore..

What the Tenakh says. The Prophet Micah

1) Close your books.

2) Cut out the 10 different parts of the story and number them in the correct order.

3) Two parts have been added that are not in the story.

4) Copy the correct order into your books under the heading Micah 4.

5) You have 10 mins.

Exercise 3

What do Jews believe about the Messiah?

Exercise 4 -What do you remember?

1) On a piece of paper draw a mind map as below.2) You have 1 minute to remember all you can about Jewish beliefs about the messiah .3) You will be passing it on, so write as much as you can.

Homework

1) Write a letter in response to a student who has written to you , asking for advise on his project on Judaism .

2) He wants to know all about the Messiah and the Messianic age.

3) What prophet in Jewish scripture (Tenakh) talks about the Messianic age and where can it be found?

4) What are the characteristics of the Messiah?5) What will the world be like be like in a Messianic

age?

Part 1 Write a letter

Part 2 respond to the statement.

“Jews have waited to long for a Messiah and should give up hope of Him arriving.” Do you agree with this statement?How might a Jewish person respond?