Sure. But you were looking at them from the perspective of one who knows the NT. I'm asking you to look through them as if it is 5 years before Jesus was even born. You're a Jewish man in Jerusalem, looking resentfully around at the Roman soldiers and occupiers, and all you have to go on are the words of prophets from years gone by. From THAT perspective, who is the Messiah?
My “amusement” had to do with the idea that your expectations of Israel, that they would somehow become “spiritually minded” when throughout their history they show themselves to be otherwise.
Then you have completely misunderstood me. I do NOT expect anything different from them. In this, they are behaving exactly how anyone would expect. I don't judge them at all. You do.
Finally, You’ve missed the point about Israel’s “looking for a king”. They were content to be like the nations around them (demonstrating this by their desire for a king)... Were they looking for a king? I suppose. Were they looking for God’ s Chosen One? Except for a small remnant, no.
That's right! That's exactly right! Halleluja, someone finally gets it. That is exactly what their mindset was. Before we go any further... are we agreed up to this point?
Yes, I am willing to agree that there were some who understood what the scriptures had to say and what/Who to look for.