02/23/08: Deuteronomy 10-12
Category: Deuteronomy
Posted by: sejje
Chapter 10:
(reading 10 spurred this question)
From the time of Christ until now, Jews/Israelites have believed the wrong thing, so to speak. Do you think any of them are among the Elect? Are they still God's people? If so, why are they so far astray?
Ted: Yes, I believe that there are many Jewish people who are among the elect and who will be saved. God always has exceptions to every rule, and this is no exception. Today, there are Messianic Jews, those who understand that Jesus is their Messiah (Christ), who keep the Ten Commandments, and who keep the traditional feasts and holy days appointed by God (Leviticus 23 and Deuteronomy 16).
During the final half of the 70th Week, there will be a remnant of Jews who will flee Jerusalem and who will be taken care of by God for 1,260 days (Revelation 12:6). At the end of that period, when Jesus returns, they will realize and acknowledge that He is the Messiah. They will look upon Him, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn and grieve for what their ancestors did (Zechariah 12:10). On that day, they will be cleansed from their sin and impurity (13:1), and they will be saved.
Chapter 11:
In 11:18, is Moses getting out of line?
Ted: That verse speaks of tying or binding God's words on one's head and/or arm/hand. Orthodox Jews take his literally. A "phylactery" is a leather box, containing scrolls inscribed with specific biblical verses, strapped to the head and/or arm.
Chapter 12:
Is there a set way they are supposed to worship God? Is he referring to all the offerings?
Ted: The people that the Israelites would overcome and dispossess worshiped their own gods, in their own ways (Deuteronomy 12:1,2). They used pagan altars, sacred stones, poles, and idols, which were scattered about in various places. The Israelites were to destroy these objects and not to worship God using these or similar objects.
Instead, the Israelites would be given one specific place to place God's dwelling, that is the temple. (This place would be Jerusalem.) To this place, they would be expected to bring their burnt offerings, sacrifices, tithes, special gifts, freewill offerings, and the firstborn of their herds and flocks (Deuteronomy 12:5,6).
Does the blood being the "life" hold any larger significance? Also, do you believe anything in modern science clashes with this? For instance, transfusions: would this be mixing lives/spirits/etc?
Ted: Most things in scripture have something to do with, or in some way act as a foreshadowing of, the Messiah, Jesus. It may be that God forbade the eating of the blood of any animal, because only the blood of Jesus is worthy of giving life to anyone who "consumes" it (such as in a communion service). Jesus spoke about this in John 6:53-57. I do not think that transfusions and the like would be forbidden, because the latter does not involve actually eating or drinking blood.
(reading 10 spurred this question)
From the time of Christ until now, Jews/Israelites have believed the wrong thing, so to speak. Do you think any of them are among the Elect? Are they still God's people? If so, why are they so far astray?
Ted: Yes, I believe that there are many Jewish people who are among the elect and who will be saved. God always has exceptions to every rule, and this is no exception. Today, there are Messianic Jews, those who understand that Jesus is their Messiah (Christ), who keep the Ten Commandments, and who keep the traditional feasts and holy days appointed by God (Leviticus 23 and Deuteronomy 16).
During the final half of the 70th Week, there will be a remnant of Jews who will flee Jerusalem and who will be taken care of by God for 1,260 days (Revelation 12:6). At the end of that period, when Jesus returns, they will realize and acknowledge that He is the Messiah. They will look upon Him, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn and grieve for what their ancestors did (Zechariah 12:10). On that day, they will be cleansed from their sin and impurity (13:1), and they will be saved.
Chapter 11:
In 11:18, is Moses getting out of line?
Ted: That verse speaks of tying or binding God's words on one's head and/or arm/hand. Orthodox Jews take his literally. A "phylactery" is a leather box, containing scrolls inscribed with specific biblical verses, strapped to the head and/or arm.
Chapter 12:
Is there a set way they are supposed to worship God? Is he referring to all the offerings?
Ted: The people that the Israelites would overcome and dispossess worshiped their own gods, in their own ways (Deuteronomy 12:1,2). They used pagan altars, sacred stones, poles, and idols, which were scattered about in various places. The Israelites were to destroy these objects and not to worship God using these or similar objects.
Instead, the Israelites would be given one specific place to place God's dwelling, that is the temple. (This place would be Jerusalem.) To this place, they would be expected to bring their burnt offerings, sacrifices, tithes, special gifts, freewill offerings, and the firstborn of their herds and flocks (Deuteronomy 12:5,6).
Does the blood being the "life" hold any larger significance? Also, do you believe anything in modern science clashes with this? For instance, transfusions: would this be mixing lives/spirits/etc?
Ted: Most things in scripture have something to do with, or in some way act as a foreshadowing of, the Messiah, Jesus. It may be that God forbade the eating of the blood of any animal, because only the blood of Jesus is worthy of giving life to anyone who "consumes" it (such as in a communion service). Jesus spoke about this in John 6:53-57. I do not think that transfusions and the like would be forbidden, because the latter does not involve actually eating or drinking blood.
