28-3: The true meaning of the word “Messiah”

“Jacob got up early in the morning, took the stone he had put under his head, set it up as a standing-stone, poured olive oil on its top and named the place Beit-El; but the town had originally been called Luz.”–Genesis 28:18-19

In order to escape the wrath of his brother, Jacob all alone hightails it out of Beersheba and travels a good, solid distance of about 40 miles to a solitary rocky area.

It is here that Jacob has an epiphany.

He is shown a ladder and traversing up and down this ladder from heaven to earth are angels of God.

We know these are heavenly angels because the original Hebrew here is MALACH ELOHIM.

This ladder is a type that symbolizes God in heaven using a physical object to connect with man on earth.

Later on, it will be the tabernacle.

And then the final physical connector between God and man will be the Messiah.

Let’s talk a little about the meaning of the word “Messiah”.

The word “Messiah” is simply an English rendering of the Hebrew word MASHIACH.

Now here’s an interesting point.

“MASHIACH” does NOT mean “Messiah“

“MASHIACH” means “anointed“.

So what does “anointed” mean?

In the Bible, “anointed” refers to the application of oil to someone or something to inaugurate them into the service of God.

After the vision and God’s pronouncement of the blessing concerning the covenant promises, notice Jacob anoints the rock with oil.

There is some tremendous prophetic foreshadowing here that I want you to notice.

Who in Scripture is called “The Anointed One“?

The answer is Yeshua.

Now who is referred to as “The Rock” in Scripture?

The answer is again Yeshua.

The prophetic elements depicted in this story are amazing, aren’t they?!

CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT

“Truly, truly, I say to you, you shall see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the son of man.”-John 1:51 (This is referring to Jacob’s ladder.)

Haven’t you read the passage in the Scripture that says, ‘The very rock which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone!“-Mark 12:10

“Look! I am laying in Zion a stone,
a chosen and precious cornerstone;
and whoever rests his trust on it
will certainly not be humiliated.”
-1 Peter 2:6

“Everyone who falls on that stone
will be broken to pieces;
but on whomever it falls,
it will scatter him like dust.”
– Luke 20:18

“The Spirit of Adonai is upon me;
therefore He has anointed me
to announce Good News to the poor;
he has sent me to proclaim freedom for the imprisoned
and renewed sight for the blind,
to release those who have been crushed”
-Luke 4:18

“You know of Yeshua of Nazareth,
how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit
and with power,
and how He went about doing good
and healing all who were oppressed by the devil,
for God was with Him.” 
-Acts 10:38