Final answer:
The Israelites expected the Messiah to vanquish evil, injustice, and sin. The Messiah's victory was anticipated to be a fulfillment of God's Covenant. Jesus' role as the Messiah was seen by early Christians as spiritual liberation rather than political revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Israelites expected the Messiah to bring victory over evil, injustice, and sin. This belief is rooted in the Jewish doctrine that the Messiah would be a liberator for the Jews, delivering the Promised Land and fulfilling the Covenant with God. While many Jews during the time of Jesus hoped he would lead a revolt against Roman rule, Jesus' death without such a revolution led some to doubt his messianic status. However, early Christians, following the teachings of Paul, understood Jesus' role as the Messiah to offer a spiritual liberation, rather than a political one. The concept of Jesus as the Messiah transformed into a salvation of the soul, rather than a restoration of land and political power.
While priests, kings, and prophets played significant roles in Israelite society and had their respective responsibilities, none were specifically expected to overcome evil, injustice, and sin in the same comprehensive manner as the awaited Messiah.