No other ancient text is substantiated by such a wealth of ancient textual witnesses as the New Testament. About 5,500 separate ancient manuscript copies of the New Testament exist in various forms from the entire New Testament to a fragment of an entire verse. No original copies of the books that make up the New Testament exist. The oldest known copy of any portion of the New Testament is a fragment of the Gospel of John chapter 18 that is dated to about 125 A.D. That would put it only about 30 or 40 years after the Apostle John died. The oldest complete text of the New Testament as we have it today dates to about 350 A.D. which would be about 275-300 from which the original books were written. In contrast, the earliest existing copies (fragments and/or complete texts) of classical works of Greek and Roman writers such as Homer, Aristotle, Plato, etc., on average date to 1,000 years after they lived.
The New Testament consists of 27 books written between 45 and 100 A.D. They were written in Greek which was the common language of the day. The books are actually letters written by the authors to the first and second generations of Christians to educate them in the life and teachings of Jesus (the Gospels), the history of the early church (Acts), Christian doctrine (epistles), and the return of Jesus to earth (Revelation). These letters were read in meetings of the early Christians. Copies were made to be read in other churches.
How did these 27 letters come together to become the New Testament and be on equal par with the Old Testament Scriptures, i.e., be regarded as inspired Word of God?
65 A.D. – The Apostle Peter places Paul’s letters on the same level of authority as the Old Testament Scriptures:
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. (II Peter 3:14-16)
Over time, early Christians during public worship read copies of letters that would become the New Testament as well as Scriptures from the Old Testament.
150 A.D. – An early church leader named Justin Martyr wrote a description of Christian worship services he attended in Rome. He wrote that the leader of the worship service read from the “prophetic word” (Old Testament) and the “memoirs of the Apostles” (New Testament.) At this time, the church in Rome was the leading church in Christianity being located in the capital of the Roman empire. Given that the church in Roman regarded the letters of the Apostles to be on par with the Old Testament books one can conclude the other churches in the empire did as well.
150-400 A.D. – Church leaders put together lists of what books should be included in the New Testament.
About 210 A.D. – The Christian scholar Tertullian is the first to use the terms “old testament” and “new testament.”
About 310 A.D. – The Christian scholar Lactantius wrote:
“But all Scripture is divided into two Testaments. That which preceded the advent and passion of Christ—that is, the law and the prophets—is called the Old; but those things which were written after His resurrection are named the New Testament. The Jews make use of the Old, we of the New: but yet they are not discordant, for the New is the fulfilling of the Old, and in both there is the same testator, even Christ …”
326 A.D. – Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea wrote Church History: it includes a list of 27 New Testament books he regarded as canonical (having authority.) They are the 27 found our Bibles.
367 A.D. – Bishop Athanasius of Alexandria wrote an Easter letter to the churches under his authority which listed 27 books he regarded as Church authorized. He used the word “canonized” (Church authorized) in relation to these books.
393 A.D. – The Synod of Hippo – a conference of Church leaders who approved the 27 books that make up the New Testament.
382-410 A.D. – Jerome was commissioned by the pope who was the leader of the Church to translate the Hebrew Old Testament and Greek New Testament into Latin, the predominant language in the world at that time. The Latin Vulgate was THE official Bible of the Church and would be for the next thousand years. It is still the Bible used by the Catholic Church today and would be the template for future bible translations. The New Testament in the Vulgate Bible included the 27 books regarded at the time to be the New Testament adding greater authority to the 27.
Late 1400’s-early 1500’s A.D. – The Protestant Reformation era. The Church divides between Catholic led by Pope in Rome and Protestant led by Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others. Protestant leaders reexamine/call into question decisions/church rules made by the papal led Church during the past one thousand years including the books that made up the Old and New Testament.
1522 A.D. – Martin Luther completes his German translation of the New Testament. He kept the 27 books that were recognized as the New Testament by the Church a thousand years earlier. Luther did question the veracity of several New Testament books - Hebrews, James, Jude, and Revelation – because they did not conform to his understanding of justification by faith and in the case of Revelation it was just weird with all its allegory/symbolisms. However, Luther included all these books in his translation of the New Testament. Why? I believe the Holy Spirit convinced Luther to leave these books in the New Testament. The Luther Bible would go on to have a huge impact on the development of Christianity after the Protestant Reformation.
1546 A.D. – The Roman Catholic Church confirmed the 27 books of the New Testament as part of its Biblical canon.
III. Criteria for a New Testament book to be canonical
a. The author was an eyewitness of Jesus, lived during the birth and early development of Christianity (33-100 A.D.), and/or churches named in the New Testament (Ephesus, Corinth, Laodicea, etc.) were known to have existed (ex. Revelation)
b. Consistency in doctrine/teachings with other accepted NT books
The New Testament was to include the earliest, most accurate accounts of Jesus and the early Church by selecting texts that had been written either by the apostles themselves or by those closely associated with them (Mark, Luke.) Texts claiming apostolic authorship were critically inspected and if the authorship claim was suspect they were rejected. (ex. Gospel of Thomas, Epistle of Barnabas.) Books written after the Apostolic Age (after 100 A.D.) that many church leaders held in high esteem and argued should be included in the New Testament (I and II Clement, Shepherd of Hermas) were rejected. These books were not condemned as heretical (against accepted Church doctrine.) They were good to read for personal devotions and church history (similar to the Old Testament Apocrypha.) They were regarded as helpful in assisting new converts to understand Christian teachings. But they were not to have the same authority as the 27. They were not to be regarded as canonical.
IV. New Testament Apocrypha and Gnostic books
A. New Testament Apocrypha
These books were written after the Apostolic Age (after 100 A.D.) that many church leaders held in high esteem but were not included in the New Testament because they did not meet the criteria for being canonical. Church leaders did not discourage the reading of these books. They were considered by the church as useful, but not divinely inspired. A few of the more popular New Testament Apocrypha books read in the early Church include I and II Clement, Ignatius, the Didache, Shepherd of Hermas, and Polycarp.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Friday, December 23, 2011
Christmas Story – Joseph’s POV
1) What is the purpose of genealogy? For Jews, knowing one’s lineage was very important. You had to be able to prove your heritage in order to inherit property rights; to hold a religious position (priests had to be descendants of Levi) and political position (king had to be a descendant of David and even further back to Judah, son of Jacob – Genesis 49:10); and to marry someone.
2) Why does Matthew begin his story of Jesus with Jesus’ genealogy? Matthew’s audience, the people he is writing this letter to, were Jews. (In contrast to John who wrote to a Gentile audience.) They knew the prophecies regarding the Messiah. Matthew was informing them up front that Jesus was the long promised Messiah. He did so using genealogy.
3) How does verse 1 begin? It does not say Jesus son of Joseph; rather, Jesus the son of David, the son of Abraham. Who was David? Established the royal line of kings. OT prophecy clearly stated that a descendant of David would be the Messiah. The ultimate ruler. Matthew presenting proof that Jesus, being a descendant of David, is the fulfillment of that prophecy. But Matthew doesn’t stop at David. He takes Jesus’ lineage further back to Abraham. Who was Abraham? The physical and spiritual patriarch of Israel. The receiver of the promise – through Abraham and his descendants all nations will be blessed. Matthew presenting proof that Jesus, being a descendant of Abraham, is the fulfillment of that promise. By connecting Jesus further back to Abraham, Matthew was informing his Jewish audience that the role of the Messiah was not confined to fulfilling a political responsibility but also a spiritual one- to be a blessing for all peoples, Jew and Gentile.
4) What are some names in Jesus’ genealogy that stand out to you? Point out – Jesus’ ancestors are mixture of good and evil; heroes and villains; the godly and the degenerates. Judah and Tamar; Salmon and Rahab (Matthew doesn’t refer to her as “the Harlot); Boaz and Ruth; David and the wife of Uriah (Matthew pointing out David’s greatest sin – opposite of Rahab); Hezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah; Zerubbabel; Jacob the father of Joseph. All shaped/molded Joseph. Take what he learned; the values he received from his ancestors and pass them on to Jesus.
Background on Jewish marriage ritual:
Marriages anciently were arranged by parents and continue to be even today in orthodox families. It was considered an act of honor to permit those with the wisdom and experience to make such important decisions. Children were betrothed, or engaged, generally as teenagers around age 15 or 16. A boy or girl becomes a man or woman at their 'bar' or 'bat' mitzvah at age 13. Taking on the rights and obligations of adulthood include the obligations of preparing for marriage and having a family. Girls work in earnest on their dowries and boys work on getting a room or place to live, generally in his families homes or lands. A betrothal would generally be arranged in the children’s mid to late teens and would last a long period of time like a year or more. A betrothal is more serious than an engagement by our standards. Once committed in this way behavior and expectations change dramatically for these children.
The first major step in a Jewish marriage was betrothal. Betrothal involved the establishment of a marriage covenant. By Jesus' time it was usual for such a covenant to be established as the result of the prospective bridegroom taking the initiative. The prospective bridegroom and his father would travel house to the home of the prospective bride. There they would negotiate with the father of the young woman to determine the price (mohar) that he must pay to purchase his bride. Once the bridegroom paid the purchase price, the marriage covenant was thereby established.
Arrangements were also made right then concerning the terms of the marriage. A written contract listed the time, place, and size of the wedding as well as recording the dowry and terms of maintenance of the marriage. This binding document called a "ketubah" was kept in the bride's possession until the consummation of the marriage.
The potential bride then entered the room whereupon the prospective groom proclaimed his love and asked her to be his bride. If the young woman wished to be his wife, she accepted his proposal at this time. The validation of the agreement made by the engaged couple was the presentation of a gift by the groom. He offered it in the presence of at least two witnesses. As he gave the gift, usually a ring, he said to his intended bride, "Behold you are consecrated unto me with this ring according to the laws of Moses and Israel." The young man and woman were regarded to be husband and wife. From that moment on the bride was declared to be consecrated or sanctified, set apart exclusively for her bridegroom. As a symbol of the covenant relationship that had been established, the groom and bride would drink from a cup of wine over which a betrothal benediction had been pronounced.
After the marriage covenant had been established, the groom would leave the home of the bride and return to his father's house. There he would remain separate from his bride for a period of twelve months. This period of separation afforded the bride time to gather her tousseau and to prepare for married life. The groom occupied himself with the preparation of living accommodations in his father's house to which he could bring his bride.
The Bible refers to the status of the prospective bride and groom as "espousal" or "betrothal." It meant that the two people were committed to each other as much as a married couple would be. The only parts of the marriage not yet completed were the formal "huppah" ceremony followed by their physical union. This betrothal was considered so binding that the only way to break it was by an actual bill of divorcement.
Read Matthew chapter 1:18-19
5) If you were Joseph, what would have been your reaction to hearing the news that Mary was pregnant? Betrayed, angry, sad. What have you been doing the past year?
6) What did Joseph choose to do? Divorce Mary without making a big stink about it. Why? a) Joseph was a “just man.” – keeper of God’s commandments. Did not want to be married to someone who could follow God’s commandments. b) Unwilling to put her to shame. What other option could he have chosen? Joseph could have had Mary publicly stoned to death but did not. Despite what she did, Joseph loved Mary enough not to add to her embarrassment/shame. Let her have her life/future.
7) What does this tell you about Joseph’s character? Follower of the law mixed with compassion. Mercy over judgment. Acknowledged the sin but love the sinner. Perhaps big reason why God selected Joseph to raise His Son. Joseph’s occupation may have something to do with it also. Joseph was a carpenter. Jesus grew up in a carpenter’s shop. What would He see everyday? Wood and nails. A constant reminder to Jesus of his primary mission on earth. Die by wood and nails to redeem humanity.
Read Matthew 1:20-25
8) What did it take to convince Joseph not to divorce Mary? A visit from an angel who explained to Joseph the significance of the child Mary was carrying.
9) What do you think were some of the thoughts Joseph was thinking during Mary’s pregnancy and in the moments after Jesus’ birth?
2) Why does Matthew begin his story of Jesus with Jesus’ genealogy? Matthew’s audience, the people he is writing this letter to, were Jews. (In contrast to John who wrote to a Gentile audience.) They knew the prophecies regarding the Messiah. Matthew was informing them up front that Jesus was the long promised Messiah. He did so using genealogy.
3) How does verse 1 begin? It does not say Jesus son of Joseph; rather, Jesus the son of David, the son of Abraham. Who was David? Established the royal line of kings. OT prophecy clearly stated that a descendant of David would be the Messiah. The ultimate ruler. Matthew presenting proof that Jesus, being a descendant of David, is the fulfillment of that prophecy. But Matthew doesn’t stop at David. He takes Jesus’ lineage further back to Abraham. Who was Abraham? The physical and spiritual patriarch of Israel. The receiver of the promise – through Abraham and his descendants all nations will be blessed. Matthew presenting proof that Jesus, being a descendant of Abraham, is the fulfillment of that promise. By connecting Jesus further back to Abraham, Matthew was informing his Jewish audience that the role of the Messiah was not confined to fulfilling a political responsibility but also a spiritual one- to be a blessing for all peoples, Jew and Gentile.
4) What are some names in Jesus’ genealogy that stand out to you? Point out – Jesus’ ancestors are mixture of good and evil; heroes and villains; the godly and the degenerates. Judah and Tamar; Salmon and Rahab (Matthew doesn’t refer to her as “the Harlot); Boaz and Ruth; David and the wife of Uriah (Matthew pointing out David’s greatest sin – opposite of Rahab); Hezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah; Zerubbabel; Jacob the father of Joseph. All shaped/molded Joseph. Take what he learned; the values he received from his ancestors and pass them on to Jesus.
Background on Jewish marriage ritual:
Marriages anciently were arranged by parents and continue to be even today in orthodox families. It was considered an act of honor to permit those with the wisdom and experience to make such important decisions. Children were betrothed, or engaged, generally as teenagers around age 15 or 16. A boy or girl becomes a man or woman at their 'bar' or 'bat' mitzvah at age 13. Taking on the rights and obligations of adulthood include the obligations of preparing for marriage and having a family. Girls work in earnest on their dowries and boys work on getting a room or place to live, generally in his families homes or lands. A betrothal would generally be arranged in the children’s mid to late teens and would last a long period of time like a year or more. A betrothal is more serious than an engagement by our standards. Once committed in this way behavior and expectations change dramatically for these children.
The first major step in a Jewish marriage was betrothal. Betrothal involved the establishment of a marriage covenant. By Jesus' time it was usual for such a covenant to be established as the result of the prospective bridegroom taking the initiative. The prospective bridegroom and his father would travel house to the home of the prospective bride. There they would negotiate with the father of the young woman to determine the price (mohar) that he must pay to purchase his bride. Once the bridegroom paid the purchase price, the marriage covenant was thereby established.
Arrangements were also made right then concerning the terms of the marriage. A written contract listed the time, place, and size of the wedding as well as recording the dowry and terms of maintenance of the marriage. This binding document called a "ketubah" was kept in the bride's possession until the consummation of the marriage.
The potential bride then entered the room whereupon the prospective groom proclaimed his love and asked her to be his bride. If the young woman wished to be his wife, she accepted his proposal at this time. The validation of the agreement made by the engaged couple was the presentation of a gift by the groom. He offered it in the presence of at least two witnesses. As he gave the gift, usually a ring, he said to his intended bride, "Behold you are consecrated unto me with this ring according to the laws of Moses and Israel." The young man and woman were regarded to be husband and wife. From that moment on the bride was declared to be consecrated or sanctified, set apart exclusively for her bridegroom. As a symbol of the covenant relationship that had been established, the groom and bride would drink from a cup of wine over which a betrothal benediction had been pronounced.
After the marriage covenant had been established, the groom would leave the home of the bride and return to his father's house. There he would remain separate from his bride for a period of twelve months. This period of separation afforded the bride time to gather her tousseau and to prepare for married life. The groom occupied himself with the preparation of living accommodations in his father's house to which he could bring his bride.
The Bible refers to the status of the prospective bride and groom as "espousal" or "betrothal." It meant that the two people were committed to each other as much as a married couple would be. The only parts of the marriage not yet completed were the formal "huppah" ceremony followed by their physical union. This betrothal was considered so binding that the only way to break it was by an actual bill of divorcement.
Read Matthew chapter 1:18-19
5) If you were Joseph, what would have been your reaction to hearing the news that Mary was pregnant? Betrayed, angry, sad. What have you been doing the past year?
6) What did Joseph choose to do? Divorce Mary without making a big stink about it. Why? a) Joseph was a “just man.” – keeper of God’s commandments. Did not want to be married to someone who could follow God’s commandments. b) Unwilling to put her to shame. What other option could he have chosen? Joseph could have had Mary publicly stoned to death but did not. Despite what she did, Joseph loved Mary enough not to add to her embarrassment/shame. Let her have her life/future.
7) What does this tell you about Joseph’s character? Follower of the law mixed with compassion. Mercy over judgment. Acknowledged the sin but love the sinner. Perhaps big reason why God selected Joseph to raise His Son. Joseph’s occupation may have something to do with it also. Joseph was a carpenter. Jesus grew up in a carpenter’s shop. What would He see everyday? Wood and nails. A constant reminder to Jesus of his primary mission on earth. Die by wood and nails to redeem humanity.
Read Matthew 1:20-25
8) What did it take to convince Joseph not to divorce Mary? A visit from an angel who explained to Joseph the significance of the child Mary was carrying.
9) What do you think were some of the thoughts Joseph was thinking during Mary’s pregnancy and in the moments after Jesus’ birth?
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Old Testament Christmas
Background – Read Isaiah 8:18-22. The people of Judah are in distress. The Assyrian empire is at their doorstep. There is an atmosphere of terror in the land. The people turned to mediums and spirits for answers … for words of hope which amazed Isaiah. Read vs. 19-20. In time, the people will be consumed by their fear and uncertainty. Fear and uncertainty will turn into anger and the people will curse their king and God. They blame God … point finger at God for their distress. In reality, the blame is theirs. They committed spiritual adultery. The people look down at the earth and all they see is distress and gloom. Read vs. 22.
Read Isaiah 9:1-7
The lands of Zebulun and Naphtali are located in northeastern Israel. See map. We’ll come back to the significance of this region in a little bit.
1) Characterize the emotional state/spiritual state of a person walking in darkness and living in the land of the shadow of death. Fear, doubt, anger, distress, lost, directionless, gloom. Not a happy, joyful place to be.
2) What will the people walking in darkness and living in the land of the shadow of death see? Light. What will it do to the darkness and the shadow of death? The light will make them disappear. Darkness and death will no longer have power over the people.
3) Would you characterize verses 1 through 7 as words of optimism or pessimism? Optimism. No more distress. No more gloom. There will be great rejoicing. The yoke that burdened the people, the bar across their shoulders weighing them down, the rod of their oppressors that brings them pain and suffering will all be shattered. There will be peace.
4) How will this happen? Through a child. Not a through great army or through special effect filled miracle. It’ll be in the same mode as God defeated Midian - unexpected/unusual. Read Judges chapters 6-8. The 12 tribes of Israel were constantly attacked by their neighbor the Midianites. The Israelites came under Midianite rule. Midianites treated Israelites harshly. Darkness of gloom and death fell upon the land. The people were looking for a messiah (God’s anointed) to rescue them. Another Moses to deliver them. Instead they got Gideon. He was the least of his family and his family was the least of the tribe of Manasseh. Gideon was a wimp not a great leader. He was the opposite of a Moses. God anointed this obscure nobody from a nobody family to be the messiah/deliverer of Israel. – God had Gideon to reduce his army from 32,000 men to 300 men to defeat Midian and free his people from the oppression of Midian. Salvation came in an unusual manner. 1) God reduced Gideon’s army from 32,000 to 300. 2) Defeated Midian using trumpets and lanterns not swords and chariots.
5) What titles will the newborn child be called? What characteristics do you associate with each title?
Wonderful Counselour – advocate/defender against all accusers. Offers words of wisdom.
Mighty God – power, strength
Everlasting Father – eternal, provider, comforter, protector
Prince of Peace – ruler, peace
6) How long will his reign last? Forever. What two attributes will characterize his reign? Justice and righteousness.
7) Who will make this happen? God
8) How does Isaiah 9:1-7 relate to Jesus?
Jesus began his ministry in the region of Galilee that was once the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali. Read Matthew 4:12-17.
Jesus is the Light. Read John 1:1-9; John 8:12: John 12:46
Through His death and resurrection, Jesus broke the yoke/bar/rod of sin and death that brought fear and oppression to mankind.
Comparison to the defeat of Midian – Jesus was born in obscurity. Bethlehem – cow stall; He was raised in Nazareth – John 1:46 “Does anything good come out of Nazareth?”; Galilee – Pharisees dismissed Jesus’ ministry by saying no prophet has ever come from Galilee; Jesus was not the Messiah that the Jews anticipated. He was not a mighty warrior.
Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.
His kingdom is an eternal one founded on justice and righteousness.
9) What were the people who heard Isaiah’s message suppose to get from it? Hope. The bad times will not last forever. There will come a time of peace and joy that will last for eternity.
In the Garden of Eden, man disobeyed God. Consequently, the darkness of sin and death fell upon the world. The shadow of death haunted man like a ghoul. Humanity lived in fear of this darkness. There was no rejoicing in the world for there was no hope. The yoke of sin and death weighed heavily upon the back of humanity. The rod of Satan beat down upon humanity. The soul of man knew no peace. As the centuries passed, sin became more rampant. The world became even darker. Humanity walked blindly in the darkness with no direction. Satan continued to beat into man fear, hatred, despair, and lies.
Two thousand years ago, God looked down upon the earth wrapped in a blanket of darkness. In my mind’s eye, God seemed to speak four familiar words “Let there be Light!” That Light descended from Heaven to this dark, gloomy world in the form of a child. This child was not any ordinary child. This child was the Mighty God Himself – a Wonderful Counselor, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. This child dispelled the darkness that for so long had blanketed the earth. This child forced the shadow of death to flee to the depths of hell from whence it came. This child shattered the yoke of sin, the bar of iniquity, and the rod of our oppressor, Satan. Humanity would no longer wander aimlessly in the darkness nor would they have to fear death. With the Light, came life, hope, love, peace, courage, and truth. Consequently, the world felt something that it had not felt in a long time – indescribable, unspeakable joy.
Since the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, has the darkness of sin and death reclaimed the world from His Light? After two thousand years, has the Light of Bethlehem been extinguished by the darkness? The Great Deceiver, Satan, would like us to believe it has. He would like us to believe that sin still rules over us who believe in the Light and that death is something that followers of God should still fear. Do not allow Satan to deceive you. The true Light that is Jesus is not like the like the light of a candle that can be easily blown out. The Light still shines as bright as ever. That Light that came to earth two thousand years ago is in you. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Matthew 4:12-17
When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
John 1:1-9
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 12:46
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
Read Isaiah 9:1-7
The lands of Zebulun and Naphtali are located in northeastern Israel. See map. We’ll come back to the significance of this region in a little bit.
1) Characterize the emotional state/spiritual state of a person walking in darkness and living in the land of the shadow of death. Fear, doubt, anger, distress, lost, directionless, gloom. Not a happy, joyful place to be.
2) What will the people walking in darkness and living in the land of the shadow of death see? Light. What will it do to the darkness and the shadow of death? The light will make them disappear. Darkness and death will no longer have power over the people.
3) Would you characterize verses 1 through 7 as words of optimism or pessimism? Optimism. No more distress. No more gloom. There will be great rejoicing. The yoke that burdened the people, the bar across their shoulders weighing them down, the rod of their oppressors that brings them pain and suffering will all be shattered. There will be peace.
4) How will this happen? Through a child. Not a through great army or through special effect filled miracle. It’ll be in the same mode as God defeated Midian - unexpected/unusual. Read Judges chapters 6-8. The 12 tribes of Israel were constantly attacked by their neighbor the Midianites. The Israelites came under Midianite rule. Midianites treated Israelites harshly. Darkness of gloom and death fell upon the land. The people were looking for a messiah (God’s anointed) to rescue them. Another Moses to deliver them. Instead they got Gideon. He was the least of his family and his family was the least of the tribe of Manasseh. Gideon was a wimp not a great leader. He was the opposite of a Moses. God anointed this obscure nobody from a nobody family to be the messiah/deliverer of Israel. – God had Gideon to reduce his army from 32,000 men to 300 men to defeat Midian and free his people from the oppression of Midian. Salvation came in an unusual manner. 1) God reduced Gideon’s army from 32,000 to 300. 2) Defeated Midian using trumpets and lanterns not swords and chariots.
5) What titles will the newborn child be called? What characteristics do you associate with each title?
Wonderful Counselour – advocate/defender against all accusers. Offers words of wisdom.
Mighty God – power, strength
Everlasting Father – eternal, provider, comforter, protector
Prince of Peace – ruler, peace
6) How long will his reign last? Forever. What two attributes will characterize his reign? Justice and righteousness.
7) Who will make this happen? God
8) How does Isaiah 9:1-7 relate to Jesus?
Jesus began his ministry in the region of Galilee that was once the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali. Read Matthew 4:12-17.
Jesus is the Light. Read John 1:1-9; John 8:12: John 12:46
Through His death and resurrection, Jesus broke the yoke/bar/rod of sin and death that brought fear and oppression to mankind.
Comparison to the defeat of Midian – Jesus was born in obscurity. Bethlehem – cow stall; He was raised in Nazareth – John 1:46 “Does anything good come out of Nazareth?”; Galilee – Pharisees dismissed Jesus’ ministry by saying no prophet has ever come from Galilee; Jesus was not the Messiah that the Jews anticipated. He was not a mighty warrior.
Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.
His kingdom is an eternal one founded on justice and righteousness.
9) What were the people who heard Isaiah’s message suppose to get from it? Hope. The bad times will not last forever. There will come a time of peace and joy that will last for eternity.
In the Garden of Eden, man disobeyed God. Consequently, the darkness of sin and death fell upon the world. The shadow of death haunted man like a ghoul. Humanity lived in fear of this darkness. There was no rejoicing in the world for there was no hope. The yoke of sin and death weighed heavily upon the back of humanity. The rod of Satan beat down upon humanity. The soul of man knew no peace. As the centuries passed, sin became more rampant. The world became even darker. Humanity walked blindly in the darkness with no direction. Satan continued to beat into man fear, hatred, despair, and lies.
Two thousand years ago, God looked down upon the earth wrapped in a blanket of darkness. In my mind’s eye, God seemed to speak four familiar words “Let there be Light!” That Light descended from Heaven to this dark, gloomy world in the form of a child. This child was not any ordinary child. This child was the Mighty God Himself – a Wonderful Counselor, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. This child dispelled the darkness that for so long had blanketed the earth. This child forced the shadow of death to flee to the depths of hell from whence it came. This child shattered the yoke of sin, the bar of iniquity, and the rod of our oppressor, Satan. Humanity would no longer wander aimlessly in the darkness nor would they have to fear death. With the Light, came life, hope, love, peace, courage, and truth. Consequently, the world felt something that it had not felt in a long time – indescribable, unspeakable joy.
Since the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, has the darkness of sin and death reclaimed the world from His Light? After two thousand years, has the Light of Bethlehem been extinguished by the darkness? The Great Deceiver, Satan, would like us to believe it has. He would like us to believe that sin still rules over us who believe in the Light and that death is something that followers of God should still fear. Do not allow Satan to deceive you. The true Light that is Jesus is not like the like the light of a candle that can be easily blown out. The Light still shines as bright as ever. That Light that came to earth two thousand years ago is in you. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Matthew 4:12-17
When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
John 1:1-9
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 12:46
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
Friday, December 2, 2011
A Thanksgiving lesson
Background –
Samaritans – The Assyrian empire conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel also called Samaria. The Assyrians scattered thousands of people from the North Kingdom throughout their empire. Forcibly removed them from their homes and exiled them to strange lands hundreds of miles away. The Assyrians then forced other people groups in their empire to settle in the Northern Kingdom. People of different races and religions. Overtime, the remaining Israelites intermarried with these other people groups. Their descendants would become known in Jesus’ day as Samaritans. The Samaritans were greatly looked down upon by their relatives to the south the Jews. The Jews held a strong racial and religious prejudice against the Samaritans. The Jews perceived Samaritans as “half-breeds”. They were genetically and religiously impure/unclean. A Jew did not step foot on Samaritan soil for fear they would become “unclean”. They would walk miles around Samaritan territory to get to where they were going. A Jew did not associate or socialize with a Samaritan. The Jews and Samaritans had a similar relationship as whites and blacks in the United Stated during the days of segregation.
Leprosy – a generic name given to a skin disorder that was common in Biblical days. Leprosy produced sores and eruptions on the skin. The skin turned a snow white color. Left untreated, leprosy can be progressive, causing permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes. A person with leprosy can feel no pain in the area affected because the nerves are dead. A person who contracted leprosy was immediately ostracized from the community for fear of spreading diseases, not just leprosy. According to Jewish law, the leprous person had to wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose. He had to cover his upper lip and cry out, “Unclean! unclean!” Consequently, there was a strong social stigma associated with being a leper. The only people lepers could socialize with were other lepers. These “leper colonies” as they were known would go around the countryside begging for food and money.
Read Luke 17:11-19
1) Where was Jesus travelling? Along the border between Samaria and Galilee.
2) Who did Jesus come across during this journey? Ten lepers
3) What did they want Jesus to do? Show mercy towards them by healing them of their leprosy.
4) What did Jesus tell them to do? Go show themselves to the priest. According to scripture (Leviticus 14), a person with leprosy had to be examined by a priest to determine if he is cleansed or not.
5) As the ten were going to see the priest, what happened? They were healed. The leprosy was gone. Their skin was a normal color. They could actual feel again.
6) What did one of the ten do after he realized he was healed? He went back to see Jesus praising God the whole way. For what purpose? To give thanks to Jesus for healing him.
7) In the last sentence of verse 16, what does Luke point out about this former leper? He is a Samaritan. Why does Luke say this? To explain what Jesus says about this former leper in verse 18.
8) How would you describe Jesus’ response to the actions of the former leper? Amazement perhaps. Why does Jesus exhibit this response? By pointing out that this man who came back to thank Jesus for healing him was a foreigner/a Samaritan, what was Jesus implying about the nationality of the other nine? They were probably Jews. People of Jesus’ race. Yet His own people failed to return to thank Him for healing them.
9) Why was the Samaritan so grateful to Jesus for healing him? Put yourself in his shoes for a moment. Feel the physical and emotional suffering this man endured. You are a leper. Your skin is basically rotting off your bones. You have open sores. You can’t feel anything. There is an awful stench coming from your body. You are ostracized from your family, friends, and normal community. You can’t touch your wife and children. Even if you could, you could not feel them. When you do come into contact with healthy people, you have to shout “Unclean! Unclean!” so that they know not to come near you. When they do recognize you as a leper they run away in fear from you. The only people you can socialize with are other lepers. But, you are not just a leper. You are a Samaritan leper. If the other nine lepers you associated with were Jews, how did they treat you? Not well. They probably stole whatever alms you received or shared with you the last morsel of moldy bread. In effect, you are an outcast among outcasts. But that all changed on the day Jesus healed you. You are healthy once more. You will no longer be treated as a pariah. You can go home to your family. Moreover, it was a Jew who showed compassion for you … a Jew who healed you. That has to make some impression on you. Out of the Samaritan’s joy, poured praises of thanksgiving for the one who changed his life. In return, Jesus, a Jew, commended him, a Samaritan, for his faith. Wow!
10) Why did the other nine not return to Jesus? We don’t really know. In my opinion, the nine were so ecstatic over what happened to them that they simply forgot to thank the One who made it possible. Before we throw rocks at them for being so ungrateful, how many people today … how many of us are guilty of doing the same?
11) In today’s culture with whom does our nation identify most when it comes to celebrating Thanksgiving - expressing thanks to God – the one Samaritan or the nine ex-lepers? You can deduce my conclusion from the title of this lesson and what I shared at the beginning of this lesson. This Thanksgiving be like the Samaritan and not the nine. Do not take God’s blessing for granted.
Samaritans – The Assyrian empire conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel also called Samaria. The Assyrians scattered thousands of people from the North Kingdom throughout their empire. Forcibly removed them from their homes and exiled them to strange lands hundreds of miles away. The Assyrians then forced other people groups in their empire to settle in the Northern Kingdom. People of different races and religions. Overtime, the remaining Israelites intermarried with these other people groups. Their descendants would become known in Jesus’ day as Samaritans. The Samaritans were greatly looked down upon by their relatives to the south the Jews. The Jews held a strong racial and religious prejudice against the Samaritans. The Jews perceived Samaritans as “half-breeds”. They were genetically and religiously impure/unclean. A Jew did not step foot on Samaritan soil for fear they would become “unclean”. They would walk miles around Samaritan territory to get to where they were going. A Jew did not associate or socialize with a Samaritan. The Jews and Samaritans had a similar relationship as whites and blacks in the United Stated during the days of segregation.
Leprosy – a generic name given to a skin disorder that was common in Biblical days. Leprosy produced sores and eruptions on the skin. The skin turned a snow white color. Left untreated, leprosy can be progressive, causing permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes. A person with leprosy can feel no pain in the area affected because the nerves are dead. A person who contracted leprosy was immediately ostracized from the community for fear of spreading diseases, not just leprosy. According to Jewish law, the leprous person had to wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose. He had to cover his upper lip and cry out, “Unclean! unclean!” Consequently, there was a strong social stigma associated with being a leper. The only people lepers could socialize with were other lepers. These “leper colonies” as they were known would go around the countryside begging for food and money.
Read Luke 17:11-19
1) Where was Jesus travelling? Along the border between Samaria and Galilee.
2) Who did Jesus come across during this journey? Ten lepers
3) What did they want Jesus to do? Show mercy towards them by healing them of their leprosy.
4) What did Jesus tell them to do? Go show themselves to the priest. According to scripture (Leviticus 14), a person with leprosy had to be examined by a priest to determine if he is cleansed or not.
5) As the ten were going to see the priest, what happened? They were healed. The leprosy was gone. Their skin was a normal color. They could actual feel again.
6) What did one of the ten do after he realized he was healed? He went back to see Jesus praising God the whole way. For what purpose? To give thanks to Jesus for healing him.
7) In the last sentence of verse 16, what does Luke point out about this former leper? He is a Samaritan. Why does Luke say this? To explain what Jesus says about this former leper in verse 18.
8) How would you describe Jesus’ response to the actions of the former leper? Amazement perhaps. Why does Jesus exhibit this response? By pointing out that this man who came back to thank Jesus for healing him was a foreigner/a Samaritan, what was Jesus implying about the nationality of the other nine? They were probably Jews. People of Jesus’ race. Yet His own people failed to return to thank Him for healing them.
9) Why was the Samaritan so grateful to Jesus for healing him? Put yourself in his shoes for a moment. Feel the physical and emotional suffering this man endured. You are a leper. Your skin is basically rotting off your bones. You have open sores. You can’t feel anything. There is an awful stench coming from your body. You are ostracized from your family, friends, and normal community. You can’t touch your wife and children. Even if you could, you could not feel them. When you do come into contact with healthy people, you have to shout “Unclean! Unclean!” so that they know not to come near you. When they do recognize you as a leper they run away in fear from you. The only people you can socialize with are other lepers. But, you are not just a leper. You are a Samaritan leper. If the other nine lepers you associated with were Jews, how did they treat you? Not well. They probably stole whatever alms you received or shared with you the last morsel of moldy bread. In effect, you are an outcast among outcasts. But that all changed on the day Jesus healed you. You are healthy once more. You will no longer be treated as a pariah. You can go home to your family. Moreover, it was a Jew who showed compassion for you … a Jew who healed you. That has to make some impression on you. Out of the Samaritan’s joy, poured praises of thanksgiving for the one who changed his life. In return, Jesus, a Jew, commended him, a Samaritan, for his faith. Wow!
10) Why did the other nine not return to Jesus? We don’t really know. In my opinion, the nine were so ecstatic over what happened to them that they simply forgot to thank the One who made it possible. Before we throw rocks at them for being so ungrateful, how many people today … how many of us are guilty of doing the same?
11) In today’s culture with whom does our nation identify most when it comes to celebrating Thanksgiving - expressing thanks to God – the one Samaritan or the nine ex-lepers? You can deduce my conclusion from the title of this lesson and what I shared at the beginning of this lesson. This Thanksgiving be like the Samaritan and not the nine. Do not take God’s blessing for granted.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Transforming Power of the Bible pt. 2
Background: I Kings chapters 12 & 13 – Around 930 B.C., Israel divided into two kingdoms: Northern Kingdom (Israel/Samaria) ruled by Jereboam and the Southern Kingdom (Judah) ruled by Reheboam. Jereboam established a new place of worship for the people of the Northern Kingdom. They were to worship two golden calves that represented their new gods. God sent a prophet to speak against this abomination performed by Jereboam. Read I Kings 13:1-2.
Flash forward nearly 300 years later …
II Kings 22:1-7: Josiah becomes king at age 8. At age 26, the Temple in Jerusalem was being repaired. During the repair someone made a discovery.
Read II Kings 22:8-13
1) What was discovered and who discovered it? The Book of Law … specifically the Book of Deuteronomy. Found by Hilkiah the high priest.
2) Who did he give the book to? Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, secretary to the king and he read it.
3) vs. 10. What did the secretary tell the king? “The high priest gave me a book.” He did not call it the Book of the Law. Why?
Read Deuteronomy chapters 4-6
4) What was the king’s response after hearing the words of the book? Tore his clothes in a symbol of repentance.
Read II Kings 23:1-3
5) Who did the king send for? The elders of Jerusalem and Judah. Who were they? Leaders of the people - Men of standing, men of respect.
6) vs. 2. Where did the king go and who went with him? The Temple. All the people of Judah and Jerusalem from every section of society; priests and prophets.
7) Who read from the Book of the Covenant? King Josiah. Point out the book is referred to as the Book of Covenant. Covenant defined – a solemn agreement that is binding on all parties. God and His people. God agrees to bless His people in return His people agree to submit to God’s authority – embodied in the Book of the Law. Josiah reads to the people the Book of Deuteronomy.
8) What is significant about who it is that is reading the Book? Josiah is the people’s leader. The fact that he is king gives greater weight to what he is doing. If Hilkiah the high priest or a prophet been the one to read from the Book would the people have responded the way they did?
9) vs. 3 What did Josiah and the people do? Made a covenant to walk after God. To learn and keep God’s Word. More importantly, act out God’s word in their lives. “Faith without works is dead.”
Read II Kings 23:4-20, 24
10) What did Josiah do? Eradicate idolatry and pagan religions in Judah.
Read II Kings 23:21-23, 25
11) What did Josiah restore? The celebration of the Passover.
12) How did the spiritual transformation of Judah happen? People hearing and applying the Word of God.
13) Did the people continue to walk after God after Josiah’s death (II Kings 23:31-36). If no, why? Both of Josiah’s sons did what was evil. Perhaps speaks to Josiah’s failure as a father. Josiah and the people of Judah did not fulfill God’s commandment found in Deuteronomy chapter 6.
13) Could such a spiritual transformation happen in the U.S. today?
Flash forward nearly 300 years later …
II Kings 22:1-7: Josiah becomes king at age 8. At age 26, the Temple in Jerusalem was being repaired. During the repair someone made a discovery.
Read II Kings 22:8-13
1) What was discovered and who discovered it? The Book of Law … specifically the Book of Deuteronomy. Found by Hilkiah the high priest.
2) Who did he give the book to? Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, secretary to the king and he read it.
3) vs. 10. What did the secretary tell the king? “The high priest gave me a book.” He did not call it the Book of the Law. Why?
Read Deuteronomy chapters 4-6
4) What was the king’s response after hearing the words of the book? Tore his clothes in a symbol of repentance.
Read II Kings 23:1-3
5) Who did the king send for? The elders of Jerusalem and Judah. Who were they? Leaders of the people - Men of standing, men of respect.
6) vs. 2. Where did the king go and who went with him? The Temple. All the people of Judah and Jerusalem from every section of society; priests and prophets.
7) Who read from the Book of the Covenant? King Josiah. Point out the book is referred to as the Book of Covenant. Covenant defined – a solemn agreement that is binding on all parties. God and His people. God agrees to bless His people in return His people agree to submit to God’s authority – embodied in the Book of the Law. Josiah reads to the people the Book of Deuteronomy.
8) What is significant about who it is that is reading the Book? Josiah is the people’s leader. The fact that he is king gives greater weight to what he is doing. If Hilkiah the high priest or a prophet been the one to read from the Book would the people have responded the way they did?
9) vs. 3 What did Josiah and the people do? Made a covenant to walk after God. To learn and keep God’s Word. More importantly, act out God’s word in their lives. “Faith without works is dead.”
Read II Kings 23:4-20, 24
10) What did Josiah do? Eradicate idolatry and pagan religions in Judah.
Read II Kings 23:21-23, 25
11) What did Josiah restore? The celebration of the Passover.
12) How did the spiritual transformation of Judah happen? People hearing and applying the Word of God.
13) Did the people continue to walk after God after Josiah’s death (II Kings 23:31-36). If no, why? Both of Josiah’s sons did what was evil. Perhaps speaks to Josiah’s failure as a father. Josiah and the people of Judah did not fulfill God’s commandment found in Deuteronomy chapter 6.
13) Could such a spiritual transformation happen in the U.S. today?
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Transforming Power of the Bible Pt. 1
Read II Kings 21:1-9, 16
1) Describe the spiritual environment in Judah during the reign of King Manasseh –
a) Rebuilt high places – places of worship set apart for a pagan god(s) (Baal, Asherah, etc.) Located on hills. These gods were usually fertility gods; therefore, worship rituals included immoral activity.
b) Built altars to Baal and Asherah – fertility gods worshipped by many people groups in the Middle East. Asherah was the wife of Baal. Many Jews worshipped Asherah as the wife of Yahweh. Asherah poles – cult symbol connected with the worship of Asherah. Wooden artifact or tree dedicated to Asherah. Asherah poles could be seen throughout Judah.
c) Worshipped the stars and planets; built altars to them in the Temple (the house of the Lord) in Jerusalem.
d) Human sacrifice – Manasseh offered his son to the god Molech. Literal translation of verse 6 – “made his son pass through the fire.” Manasseh’s son was burned alive as part of a ritual purification practice to the god Molech. His infant son was passed through fire to receive the blessings of Molech. The child died and therefore was not deemed worthy of Molech’s blessings.
e) Astrology and spiritism (communication with the dead) was practiced – fortune telling, mediums (psychics), necromancer (someone who could speak to the dead)
f) Placed an idol of Asherah in the Temple (House of the Lord) – Typically images of female fertility gods were extremely sexual. Accentuated her sexual appearance. Jews continued to worship God in the Temple. However, they brought him down to the same level with other gods (Stars, planets, Baal, Asherah). The Lord (Yahweh) was just one of many gods.
g) Manasseh committed great bloodshed - specifically innocent blood. Why? Who were the innocents? The innocents were probably Jews who refused to follow Manasseh’s example. Rejected the worship of other gods. Unhappy/angry with Manasseh … his desecration of the Temple, his promotion of the worship of false gods, etc. Voiced their anger. Manasseh’s response – had them killed. From the description in verse 16, sounds like it was a high number who were killed. According to Jewish tradition, one of them was the prophet Isaiah. Manasseh had him sawed in half (Hebrews 11: 37)
Let me add that it is probable that there were priests in the Temple who supported/tolerated Manasseh’s actions. A lot of authority/influence came with the position of priest. If you want to keep that social position, you went along with whatever the king wanted. There were probably men who claimed to be prophets of God who supported/tolerated Manasseh’s actions. They gave God’s seal of approval to Manasseh’s actions. False prophets – “God spoke to me and said ‘I have a brother named Baal and a wife named Asherah. Worship them also or else!’
2) Do you see any parallels between the spiritual environment of Judah during the reign of Manasseh and the spiritual environment of the United States today? List examples –
a) High places and altars to false gods – Celebrity worship such as the Kardashians – the high place/altar is the TV set; sports – the high place/altar is the football stadium/arena.
b) Sexual immorality practiced publicly
c) Astrology, mediums, psychics all over the place.
d) human sacrifice = abortion; the infant is not worthy of life
e) Disgrace the House of the Lord – Churches/denominations that tolerate/condone sinful practices. Pastors speaking from the pulpit who condone sexual immorality (homosexuality, sex outside of marriage) and/or who condone other religions (there are many roads to God, Jesus was a great religious figure like Mohammed and Buddha)
f) Persecution of true followers of God – Christians who speak against sexual immorality, abortion, and sinful activities; who disagree with the teachings of other religions; who condemn idolatry (celebrity worship), astrology, psychic hotlines ... how are they perceived in the world? Intolerant, backwards thinking, religious nut jobs, insensitive to the religious rights of others. Form of persecution? Ridicule
Next Sunday – Read II Kings chapters 22 and 23. What happened that transformed the spiritual environment of Judah? Also read Deuteronomy chapter 4.
1) Describe the spiritual environment in Judah during the reign of King Manasseh –
a) Rebuilt high places – places of worship set apart for a pagan god(s) (Baal, Asherah, etc.) Located on hills. These gods were usually fertility gods; therefore, worship rituals included immoral activity.
b) Built altars to Baal and Asherah – fertility gods worshipped by many people groups in the Middle East. Asherah was the wife of Baal. Many Jews worshipped Asherah as the wife of Yahweh. Asherah poles – cult symbol connected with the worship of Asherah. Wooden artifact or tree dedicated to Asherah. Asherah poles could be seen throughout Judah.
c) Worshipped the stars and planets; built altars to them in the Temple (the house of the Lord) in Jerusalem.
d) Human sacrifice – Manasseh offered his son to the god Molech. Literal translation of verse 6 – “made his son pass through the fire.” Manasseh’s son was burned alive as part of a ritual purification practice to the god Molech. His infant son was passed through fire to receive the blessings of Molech. The child died and therefore was not deemed worthy of Molech’s blessings.
e) Astrology and spiritism (communication with the dead) was practiced – fortune telling, mediums (psychics), necromancer (someone who could speak to the dead)
f) Placed an idol of Asherah in the Temple (House of the Lord) – Typically images of female fertility gods were extremely sexual. Accentuated her sexual appearance. Jews continued to worship God in the Temple. However, they brought him down to the same level with other gods (Stars, planets, Baal, Asherah). The Lord (Yahweh) was just one of many gods.
g) Manasseh committed great bloodshed - specifically innocent blood. Why? Who were the innocents? The innocents were probably Jews who refused to follow Manasseh’s example. Rejected the worship of other gods. Unhappy/angry with Manasseh … his desecration of the Temple, his promotion of the worship of false gods, etc. Voiced their anger. Manasseh’s response – had them killed. From the description in verse 16, sounds like it was a high number who were killed. According to Jewish tradition, one of them was the prophet Isaiah. Manasseh had him sawed in half (Hebrews 11: 37)
Let me add that it is probable that there were priests in the Temple who supported/tolerated Manasseh’s actions. A lot of authority/influence came with the position of priest. If you want to keep that social position, you went along with whatever the king wanted. There were probably men who claimed to be prophets of God who supported/tolerated Manasseh’s actions. They gave God’s seal of approval to Manasseh’s actions. False prophets – “God spoke to me and said ‘I have a brother named Baal and a wife named Asherah. Worship them also or else!’
2) Do you see any parallels between the spiritual environment of Judah during the reign of Manasseh and the spiritual environment of the United States today? List examples –
a) High places and altars to false gods – Celebrity worship such as the Kardashians – the high place/altar is the TV set; sports – the high place/altar is the football stadium/arena.
b) Sexual immorality practiced publicly
c) Astrology, mediums, psychics all over the place.
d) human sacrifice = abortion; the infant is not worthy of life
e) Disgrace the House of the Lord – Churches/denominations that tolerate/condone sinful practices. Pastors speaking from the pulpit who condone sexual immorality (homosexuality, sex outside of marriage) and/or who condone other religions (there are many roads to God, Jesus was a great religious figure like Mohammed and Buddha)
f) Persecution of true followers of God – Christians who speak against sexual immorality, abortion, and sinful activities; who disagree with the teachings of other religions; who condemn idolatry (celebrity worship), astrology, psychic hotlines ... how are they perceived in the world? Intolerant, backwards thinking, religious nut jobs, insensitive to the religious rights of others. Form of persecution? Ridicule
Next Sunday – Read II Kings chapters 22 and 23. What happened that transformed the spiritual environment of Judah? Also read Deuteronomy chapter 4.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Story of the Bible - pt. 4: How the OT came together
Septuagint
Septuagint (sometimes abbreviated LXX) is the name given to the Greek translation of the Jewish Scriptures. The Septuagint has its origin in Alexandria, Egypt and was translated between 300-100 BC. The term “Septuagint” means seventy in Latin, and the text is so named to the credit of these 70 scholars. According to an ancient document called the Letter of Aristeas, it is believed that 70 to 72 Jewish scholars were commissioned during the reign of Ptolemy Philadelphus to carry out the task of translation. Most scholars consider the Letter of Aristeas steeped in legend rather than historical truth. The motivation behind the Septuagint lays more in the fact that there was a large Jewish population living outside Palestine. The Septuagint was aimed at Hellenistic Jews (Jews who spoke Greek and adopted Greek culture and learning) who were beginning to lose their Hebrew language and heritage. The process of translating the Hebrew to Greek also gave many non-Jews (Gentiles) a glimpse into Judaism. For the first time Gentiles (Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Syrians, etc.) could read God’s Word. Emphasize – Primary goal of the Jewish scholars involved in translating the Septuagint was not establish a definitive Hebrew canon of Scriptures but to preserve Jewish heritage and culture in a non-Jewish world.
Not all Jews accepted the Septuagint. One religious group in particular that was active during Jesus’ life: the Sadducees. They rejected the Prophets and Writings as authoritative Scripture. They regarded the Pentateuch as the only authoritative Scripture.
The Septuagint contains the standard 39 books of the Old Testament canon, as well as certain apocryphal books. The term "Apocrypha" was coined by the fifth-century biblical scholar, Jerome, and generally refers to the set of ancient Jewish writings written during the period between the last book in the Jewish scriptures, Malachi, and the arrival of Jesus Christ. Word “apocrypha” means “hidden away”. Biblical scholars, both Jewish and Christian, questioned their legitimacy as authoritative Scripture. Jerome who translated the Bible into Latin around 410 A.D. (Bible called the Latin Vulgate which became the official version of Bible used by Catholic Church) included a disclaimer before each Apocryphal book that it was not found in the Hebrew Bible and therefore should not be regarded as canonical. In fact, Jerome was reluctant to even do a Latin translation of the Apocrypha because they were not found in the Tanakh. Overtime Jerome’s disclaimers disappeared from future translations of the Latin Vulgate. As a consequence, the Apocrypha began to be accepted as canonical.
Why were the Apocryphal books not found in the Hebrew Bible? They did not meet O.T. benchmarks we talked about previously. The Apocrypha had 1) Historic and geographic inaccuracies – Book of Judith starts by saying it was written while Nebuchadnezzar was king of Assyria. Actually he was a Babylonian king. 2) Lacked commonality with accepted O.T. books. Doctrinal inconsistencies; Apocrypha books read more like morality tales, myths, and legends. Read examples found in NIV Archeological Bible. II Esdras – apocalyptic/end times book consisting of seven visions. Attributed to Ezra the scribe. Actually written as a reaction to destruction of temple in Jerusalem in 70 A.D. hundreds of years after Ezra’s death. Martin Luther was so confused by the visions in the book that it said he threw it into the Elbe River. Point out similarities between American Apocrypha (George Washington chopping down cherry tree, Daniel Boone, Davey Crockett) and Jewish Apocrypha. However, scholars refused to declare them worthless. The Apocryphal books were included in the Septuagint for historical and religious purposes, but are not recognized by Protestant Christians or Orthodox Jews as canonical (inspired by God). Emphasize again purpose of Septuagint translators was to preserve Jewish heritage and culture not to establish a Hebrew canon. Martin Luther wrote that the Apocrypha are books which are not considered equal to the Holy Scriptures, but are useful and good to read" … in other words he regarded the Apocrypha to be morality tales or useful for learning Jewish culture. I Maccabbees – Tells the story of Jewish revolt against foreign rule. The Church of England told its members to read the Apocrypha for example of life and instruction of manners.” Example – the Apocrypha book titled Ecclesiasticus – it reads like a book of etiquette sort of like Emily Post or Roberts Rules of Order. “Speak concisely. Say much in a few words.” “Act like a man who knows more than he says.” “Prepare what you have to say and then you will be listened to.” Therefore, they were “hidden away” in a separate section of the Bible often at the end of the OT. It’s important to point out that the New Testament writers never quoted from the Apocryphal books, and that the Apocrypha was never considered part of the canonical Jewish scripture (the Tanakh). However, the Roman Catholic Church (in 1546 at the Council of Trent and perhaps in reaction to Protestant Bible) and the Orthodox churches include the Apocrypha in their Bible. Most Protestant Bibles (KJV, NASB, NIV) do not include the Apocrypha. Separatist Groups within the Church of England (Puritans, Presbyterians, Baptists, etc., did not consider the Apocrypha to be authoritative. Excluded them from their Bibles.)
The Septuagint was also a source of the Old Testament for early Christians during the first few centuries AD. Many early Christians spoke and read Greek, thus they relied on the Septuagint translation for most of their understanding of the Old Testament. The New Testament writers also relied heavily on the Septuagint, as a majority of Old Testament quotes cited in the New Testament are quoted directly from the Septuagint (others are quoted from the Hebrew texts). Some modern Bible translations also use the Septuagint along side Hebrew manuscripts as their source text. (ex. The New American Standard Bible) – Point out that the NASB, KJV, NIV do not rely solely on one translation of OT – use multiple sources (Tanakh, Septuagint, Latin Vulgate, etc. – show example in Bible - more recently the Dead Sea Scrolls) in order to be as accurate as possible to original language. Unfortunately, we do not have the original Books of Genesis, Joshua, Isaiah.
Starting approximately in the 2nd century (100-200 A.D.), several factors led most Jews to abandon the Septuagint. The Jews began to perceive the Septuagint as Christian Bible. Christians naturally used the Septuagint since it was the only Greek version available to the earliest Christians; and since Christians, as a group, had rapidly become overwhelmingly Gentile and, therefore, unfamiliar with Hebrew. The association of the Septuagint with a rival religion may have rendered it suspect in the eyes of the newer generation of Jews and Jewish scholars. Perhaps more importantly, the Greek language — and therefore the Greek Bible — declined among Jews after most of them fled from the Greek-speaking eastern Roman Empire into non-Greek speaking countries when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans. Instead, Jews adopted the Hebrew based Tanakh as their Bible.
Septuagint (sometimes abbreviated LXX) is the name given to the Greek translation of the Jewish Scriptures. The Septuagint has its origin in Alexandria, Egypt and was translated between 300-100 BC. The term “Septuagint” means seventy in Latin, and the text is so named to the credit of these 70 scholars. According to an ancient document called the Letter of Aristeas, it is believed that 70 to 72 Jewish scholars were commissioned during the reign of Ptolemy Philadelphus to carry out the task of translation. Most scholars consider the Letter of Aristeas steeped in legend rather than historical truth. The motivation behind the Septuagint lays more in the fact that there was a large Jewish population living outside Palestine. The Septuagint was aimed at Hellenistic Jews (Jews who spoke Greek and adopted Greek culture and learning) who were beginning to lose their Hebrew language and heritage. The process of translating the Hebrew to Greek also gave many non-Jews (Gentiles) a glimpse into Judaism. For the first time Gentiles (Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Syrians, etc.) could read God’s Word. Emphasize – Primary goal of the Jewish scholars involved in translating the Septuagint was not establish a definitive Hebrew canon of Scriptures but to preserve Jewish heritage and culture in a non-Jewish world.
Not all Jews accepted the Septuagint. One religious group in particular that was active during Jesus’ life: the Sadducees. They rejected the Prophets and Writings as authoritative Scripture. They regarded the Pentateuch as the only authoritative Scripture.
The Septuagint contains the standard 39 books of the Old Testament canon, as well as certain apocryphal books. The term "Apocrypha" was coined by the fifth-century biblical scholar, Jerome, and generally refers to the set of ancient Jewish writings written during the period between the last book in the Jewish scriptures, Malachi, and the arrival of Jesus Christ. Word “apocrypha” means “hidden away”. Biblical scholars, both Jewish and Christian, questioned their legitimacy as authoritative Scripture. Jerome who translated the Bible into Latin around 410 A.D. (Bible called the Latin Vulgate which became the official version of Bible used by Catholic Church) included a disclaimer before each Apocryphal book that it was not found in the Hebrew Bible and therefore should not be regarded as canonical. In fact, Jerome was reluctant to even do a Latin translation of the Apocrypha because they were not found in the Tanakh. Overtime Jerome’s disclaimers disappeared from future translations of the Latin Vulgate. As a consequence, the Apocrypha began to be accepted as canonical.
Why were the Apocryphal books not found in the Hebrew Bible? They did not meet O.T. benchmarks we talked about previously. The Apocrypha had 1) Historic and geographic inaccuracies – Book of Judith starts by saying it was written while Nebuchadnezzar was king of Assyria. Actually he was a Babylonian king. 2) Lacked commonality with accepted O.T. books. Doctrinal inconsistencies; Apocrypha books read more like morality tales, myths, and legends. Read examples found in NIV Archeological Bible. II Esdras – apocalyptic/end times book consisting of seven visions. Attributed to Ezra the scribe. Actually written as a reaction to destruction of temple in Jerusalem in 70 A.D. hundreds of years after Ezra’s death. Martin Luther was so confused by the visions in the book that it said he threw it into the Elbe River. Point out similarities between American Apocrypha (George Washington chopping down cherry tree, Daniel Boone, Davey Crockett) and Jewish Apocrypha. However, scholars refused to declare them worthless. The Apocryphal books were included in the Septuagint for historical and religious purposes, but are not recognized by Protestant Christians or Orthodox Jews as canonical (inspired by God). Emphasize again purpose of Septuagint translators was to preserve Jewish heritage and culture not to establish a Hebrew canon. Martin Luther wrote that the Apocrypha are books which are not considered equal to the Holy Scriptures, but are useful and good to read" … in other words he regarded the Apocrypha to be morality tales or useful for learning Jewish culture. I Maccabbees – Tells the story of Jewish revolt against foreign rule. The Church of England told its members to read the Apocrypha for example of life and instruction of manners.” Example – the Apocrypha book titled Ecclesiasticus – it reads like a book of etiquette sort of like Emily Post or Roberts Rules of Order. “Speak concisely. Say much in a few words.” “Act like a man who knows more than he says.” “Prepare what you have to say and then you will be listened to.” Therefore, they were “hidden away” in a separate section of the Bible often at the end of the OT. It’s important to point out that the New Testament writers never quoted from the Apocryphal books, and that the Apocrypha was never considered part of the canonical Jewish scripture (the Tanakh). However, the Roman Catholic Church (in 1546 at the Council of Trent and perhaps in reaction to Protestant Bible) and the Orthodox churches include the Apocrypha in their Bible. Most Protestant Bibles (KJV, NASB, NIV) do not include the Apocrypha. Separatist Groups within the Church of England (Puritans, Presbyterians, Baptists, etc., did not consider the Apocrypha to be authoritative. Excluded them from their Bibles.)
The Septuagint was also a source of the Old Testament for early Christians during the first few centuries AD. Many early Christians spoke and read Greek, thus they relied on the Septuagint translation for most of their understanding of the Old Testament. The New Testament writers also relied heavily on the Septuagint, as a majority of Old Testament quotes cited in the New Testament are quoted directly from the Septuagint (others are quoted from the Hebrew texts). Some modern Bible translations also use the Septuagint along side Hebrew manuscripts as their source text. (ex. The New American Standard Bible) – Point out that the NASB, KJV, NIV do not rely solely on one translation of OT – use multiple sources (Tanakh, Septuagint, Latin Vulgate, etc. – show example in Bible - more recently the Dead Sea Scrolls) in order to be as accurate as possible to original language. Unfortunately, we do not have the original Books of Genesis, Joshua, Isaiah.
Starting approximately in the 2nd century (100-200 A.D.), several factors led most Jews to abandon the Septuagint. The Jews began to perceive the Septuagint as Christian Bible. Christians naturally used the Septuagint since it was the only Greek version available to the earliest Christians; and since Christians, as a group, had rapidly become overwhelmingly Gentile and, therefore, unfamiliar with Hebrew. The association of the Septuagint with a rival religion may have rendered it suspect in the eyes of the newer generation of Jews and Jewish scholars. Perhaps more importantly, the Greek language — and therefore the Greek Bible — declined among Jews after most of them fled from the Greek-speaking eastern Roman Empire into non-Greek speaking countries when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans. Instead, Jews adopted the Hebrew based Tanakh as their Bible.
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