Israeli scholar says 1st century Jews awaited Messiah who would die & rise again. Argues “third day resurrection” an idea that pre-dates Jesus.

joelcrosenberg's avatarJoel C. Rosenberg's Blog

“The Messiah Before Jesus: The Suffering Servant of the Dead Sea Scrolls,” a fascinating book by Dr. Israel Knohl of Hebrew University. “The Messiah Before Jesus: The Suffering Servant of the Dead Sea Scrolls,” a fascinating book by Dr. Israel Knohl of Hebrew University.

This is the week of Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of First Fruits. Millions of Jews in Israel and around the world are celebrating the story of how the Jewish people were saved from the “angel of death” in ancient times if they put the blood of a perfect slain lamb on the doorposts of their homes in Egypt.

This is also the week of Good Friday and Easter. Billions of Christians around the world are celebrating the death of Jesus of Nazareth, and His resurrection from the tomb three days later, and the belief that all mankind can be saved from the “angel of death” in our times if we, too, trust in the blood of a perfect slain Passover Lamb.

But did the Jews of the first century really believe the Messiah would one day come…

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Not Unto Us…

“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake.” Psalm 115:1 (KJV)

This Psalm is known to be a song read and sung during the Passover, remembering the deliverance of the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage.

For the Christian today this ought to be our prayer that God be glorified; not us.  We have a lot of glory seekers in the “Christian” realm; maybe we should say  the “Christian” kingdom; where Christianity is a religion, not a relationship with Christ.

In these United States of America God is no longer feared; but mocked, even by many professing themselves “Christian”.  It is no wonder God is mocked when men and women who proclaim themselves “Pastors”, “Christian” find themselves approving of what God disapproves; approving what God calls an abomination.

Let God be true, but every man a liar (Romans 3:4).

O my prayer is that God will show Himself strong in me (2 Chronicles 16:9); and that the name of Jesus Christ Son of God, and God the Son would be glorified over and above the chaotic mess this world is in; that our nation is in.  That our nations leaders either get right with God, repent of their sins or that God remove them in His way and time.  Not by any hand of man, woman or men; but by the hand, and power of God.

That the Body of Christ rise up in faith; and begin to speak the Word of God as it is Truth without any mixture of error.  We may live in dark times, but the light of Jesus Christ shines brightly in the dark.  Sin will be revealed.  Christians will be revealed by their stand on the truth of God’s Word.

Christian; stand today, and glorify Jesus Christ.  “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake.”

His Sanctuary; His Dominion

“When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language; Judah was His sanctuary, and Israel His dominion.” Psalm 114:1-2 (KJV)

The Psalmist; probably not David, but another of a later time acknowledges GOD as the Ruler of the nation.

The LORD is the One who delivered Jacob [Israel] out of Egypt.  Judah is the sanctuary of God’s abiding.  It is from Judah which our Saviour Jesus the Christ came.  It is in Judah where Jerusalem is.

Israel the new name for Jacob is the place of God’s rule; and covers the entirety of the kingdom.

It is Christ Jesus who is the King.  It is within His people that He is abiding; His sanctuary.  Yet He has a plan for Israel.

Just as the LORD delivered Jacob out of Egypt; so too does He deliver sinners out of sin, and death.  He has sent His Son Jesus who died on the cross, was buried, and He rose from death, and forever lives.  Believe Him and live forever with Him.

What is the most controversial prophecy in the Hebrew Bible, and why read it at Passover?

joelcrosenberg's avatarJoel C. Rosenberg's Blog

The Great Isaiah Scroll on display at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. The Great Isaiah Scroll on display at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

The actual Great Isaiah Scroll (source: The Israel Museum). The actual Great Isaiah Scroll (source: The Israel Museum).

(Central Israel) — Have you ever been to the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem? Have you ever seen the Great Isaiah Scroll on display there?

It is absolutely breathtaking. And it contains what many believe is the most controversial prophecy in the entire Hebrew Bible.

“The Great Isaiah Scroll (1QIsaa) is one of the original seven Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in Qumran in 1947,” notes the Israel Museum on its website. “It is the largest (734 cm) and best preserved of all the biblical scrolls, and the only one that is almost complete. The 54 columns contain all 66 chapters of the Hebrew version of the biblical Book of Isaiah. Dating from ca. 125 BCE, it is also one of the…

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Boasting; More Boasting

“Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.” Psalm 113:1 (KJV)

I have never met anyone who likes arrogance in a man or woman.  I think we do not like to think of it in God either; but God is worthy of boasting.  He is the Great One.  He is worthy of praise and glory.

We glory in ourselves when we do good at something.  You may say you do not; but I would say to you that is vain, false humility; which is not humility at all.  We sometimes glory, are prideful of our “Humility”.

The Maker of us all, and of all things, needs not be humble.  He glories in Himself, and rightly so.  We are to glory in Him, and in and through us He is glorified.  Maybe this is why so many hate God, and even choose not to believe in Him.  Even in these God will be glorified.

Do you find yourself boasting of your accomplishments?  Rather boast of the greatness of God.  Boast of His mercy.  Boast of His grace.  Boast of His power.  If you have been redeemed through the blood of Jesus, then boast of that; and glory in the cross of Jesus and His burial and His resurrection.

Destroying Israel is “nonnegotiable,” says Iran militia leadership. Also vows to bring down Saudi Arabia.

joelcrosenberg's avatarJoel C. Rosenberg's Blog

iran-flagAs the United States and other world powers were making significant concessions to the Iranian government regarding its illegal nuclear program this week, a high-ranking Iranian militia leader repeated his country’s vow to destroy Israel.

He threatened to bring down the government of Saudi Arabia, as well, for Riyadh’s role in fighting Iranian-backed terrorists in Yemen.

Here are excerpts from the Times of Israel story:

  • “The commander of the Basij militia of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said that ‘erasing Israel off the map’ is ‘non-negotiable”….
  • Militia chief Mohammad Reza Naqdi also threatened Saudi Arabia, saying that the offensive it is leading in Yemen “will have a fate like the fate of Saddam Hussein.”
  • Naqdi’s comments were made public as Iran and six world powers prepared Tuesday to issue a general statement agreeing to continue nuclear negotiations in a new phase aimed at reaching a comprehensive accord by the end of June.
  • In 2014, Naqdi said Iran was stepping…

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True Happiness

“Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in His commandments.” Psalm 112:1 (KJV)

Happiness from the world in which we live is fleeting.  We can laugh and be “happy” one minute, then, sadly defeated, depressed, and discouraged the next.  Where we were “happy” for an hour or two; we are the other for days and weeks on end.

Let me give you three things that lead to true happiness;

  1.  Fear the LORD; and that means you want to do nothing to anger Him, but you live in love for Him;
  2.   Praise the LORD;  you make much of Him, and little of yourself.  He is your reason for being, for living.  Lift high the glorious name of Jehovah, through His only begotten Son Jesus;
  3.   Delight in His commandments; rejoice in His Word.  Hide it in your heart, that you might not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11).

Let your life be a life filled with the Spirit of the LORD, and you will be Blessed – happy; truly joyous.  The only way to be able to live this is through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ the Son of God, and God the Son.

Boasting

“Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.” Psalm 111:1 (KJV)

Boasting seems to be a trait of all humanity.  Men and women do it quite frequently.  I do it.  My friends and family does it.  Boasting about our achievements, our children, our work, our recreation, our homes, our cars; well, you get the picture.

What does this verse have to do with “Boasting”?  The first “Praise” is for the part of the word we use “Halleujah” which means “Praise the LORD” or to boast of Him.  What more can we boast of than the greatness of our God, our Saviour, our King, and our LORD.

The  second “Praise” has to do with our reverence and worship to the One who is worthy.  When you feel like boasting of your greatness; think again of the Greatness of the only One who is worthy of our boasting.

Our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength should be given to boasting of the greatness of the Lord.  Let it be seen in your life.

Lord, let it be seen in my life.

See 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 for further study.

At My Right Hand

“The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.” Psalm 110:1 (KJV)

What a scene the Psalmist is seeing in heaven between the Father and the Son.  David has a great interest in this Second Person; he calls, “my Lord”.  As should all who have an interest in spiritual matters.

Of this verse C. H. Spurgeon can say it much better than myself.  Here are his words on this verse;

“The Lord said unto my Lord” – Jehovah said unto my Adonai: David in spirit heard the solemn voice of Jehovah speaking to the Messiah from of old. What wonderful intercourse there has been between the Father and the Son! From this secret and intimate communion spring the covenant of grace and all its marvellous arrangements. All the great acts of grace are brought into actual being by the word of God; had he not spoken, there had been no manifestation of Deity to us; but in the beginning was the Word, and from of old there was mysterious fellowship between the Father and his Son Jesus Christ concerning his people and the great contest on their behalf between himself and the powers of evil. How condescending on Jehovah’s part to permit a mortal ear to hear, and a human pen to record his secret converse with his co-equal Son! How greatly should we prize the revelation of his private and solemn discourse with the Son, herein made public for the refreshing of his people! “Lord, what is man that thou shouldst thus impart thy secrets unto him.”
Though David was a firm believer in the Unity of the Godhead, he yet spiritually discerns the two persons, distinguishes between them, and perceives that in the second he has a peculiar interest, for he calls him “my Lord.” This was an anticipation of the exclamation of Thomas, “My Lord and my God,” and it expresses the Psalmist’s reverence, his obedience, his believing appropriation, and his joy in Christ. It is well to have clear views of the mutual relations of the persons of the blessed Trinity; indeed, the knowledge of these truths is essential for our comfort and growth in grace. There is a manifest distinction in the divine persons, since one speaks to another; yet the Godhead is one.
“Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies they footstool.” Away from the shame and suffering of his earthly life, Jehovah calls the Adonai, our Lord, to the repose and honours of his celestial seat. His work is done, and he may sit; it is well done, and he may sit at his right hand; it will have grand results, and he may therefore quietly wait to see the complete victory which is certain to follow. The glorious Jehovah thus addresses the Christ as our Saviour; for, says David, he said “unto my Lord.” Jesus is placed in the seat of power, dominion, and dignity, and is to sit there by divine appointment while Jehovah fights for him, and lays every rebel beneath his feet. He sits there by the Father’s ordinance and call, and will sit there despite all the raging of his adversaries, till they are all brought to utter shame by his putting his foot upon their necks. In this sitting he is our representative. The mediatorial kingdom will last until the last enemy shall be destroyed, and then, according to the inspired word, “cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God even the Father.” The work of subduing the nations is now in the hand of the great God, who by his Providence will accomplish it to the glory of his Son; his word is pledged to it, and the session of his Son at his right hand is the guarantee thereof; therefore let us never fear as to the future. While we see our Lord and representative sitting in quiet expectancy, we, too, may sit in the attitude of peaceful assurance, and with confidence await the grand outcome of all events. As surely as Jehovah liveth Jesus must reign, yea, even now he is reigning, though all his enemies are not yet subdued. During the present interval, through which we wait for his glorious appearing and visible millennial kingdom, he is in the place of power, and his dominion is in no jeopardy, or otherwise he would not remain quiescent. He sits because all is safe, and he sits at Jehovah’s right hand because omnipotence waits to accomplish his will. Therefore there is no cause for alarm whatever may happen in this lower world; the sight of Jesus enthroned in divine glory is the sure guarantee that all things are moving onward towards ultimate victory. Those rebels who now stand high in power shall soon be in the place of contempt, they shall be his footstool. He shall with ease rule them, he shall sit and put his foot on them; not rising to tread them down as when a man puts forth force to subdue powerful foes, but retaining the attitude of rest, and still ruling them as abject vassals who have no longer spirit to rebel, but have become thoroughly tamed and subdued.

For further study consider Matthew 22:42-44;  Acts 2:33;  Hebrews 7:4;  2 Peter 1:17.