When did God promise a savior?

Answer 1

Christian Answer:

It was as early as Abel who is recorded to have observed the laws of animal sacrifice, which have always pointed to Christ.

"...Abel was a keeper of sheep..." (Gen.4:2).

"...by faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice that Cain..." (Heb.11:4).

"...almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding blood is no remission..." (Heb.9:22).

"...before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ..." (Gal.3:23-24).

"...Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel." (Heb.12:24)

The promise of a Savior began with the ancient "schoolmaster" sacrifices of Abel.

Jewish Answer:

HaShem never promised to send a saviour, that is a Christian concept that has no place in Judaism or the Tanach.

Answer 2

In a religious context, salvation means saving someone from going to hell. Since Judasim never included the concept of hell, the first promise of salvation must have come during the Christian era.

Of course, if there really is a hell, it is more than strange that God did not instruct the Old Testament prophets to place a great deal of emphasis on hell and salvation. Instead, the Old Testament tells us that God's punishment was here on earth.

We see an example of post-Exilc Jewish belief about God's rewards and punishment in Psalm 37. THroughout this psalm there is a message of punishment on this earth for the 'wicked' and reward, again on this earth, for the 'righteous'. For example (Psalm 37:2) the wicked will soon be cut down like the grass - a punishment, with no suggestion of hell. The righteous will (Psalm 37:3) dwell in the land and be fed; (Psalm 37:29) inherit the land and dwell there for evermore - not as individuals who can live forever, but as a righteous people, the Jews.

ANSWER

Salvation is having the prospect to live forever. Adam and Eve would of lived forever if they remained obedient. God warned them not to eat from the tree of knowledge "lest you die". Man living forever was God's plan since creation. It was not his plan or "his will" that man sinned and death was spread to mankind. If it was his will then why did he warn Adam against it?

Hell is not a fiery place where the devil lives and stands around holding a pitchfork. Hell is death with no hope for Resurrection. Since people do die then salvation refers to being resurrected with the prospect of living forever. Salvation was not only mentioned in the New Testament. Read Psalm 37:29