Do You Want to “Come Near to God”?

Most will probably immediately answer, “Yes!” The next question is -- What do you do “to come near to God?” Today, the answers would probably be read the Bible, pray, sing worship songs, etc. In many churches, during the praise and worship period of the service, worship leaders declare that the “presence of the Lord is here; we can feel God’s presence.” It is not uncommon to hear people describe their relationship to God as though He was a “good buddy” they “hang out” with all the time. Today, “coming near God” seems to be a very common thing that requires very little effort or a special place.

This would sound very strange to ancient Israelites, Jews of the First and Second Temple periods, and the Jewish Jesus. They didn’t just “hang out” with God. They viewed Him with awe and “coming near” required a commitment, effort and an investment. This may be why it was the first lesson Jewish children learned when the Temple stood and at the beginning of their education.

Read complete article at -- http://www.biblicalheritage.org/DTB/1112_Coming_Near_God.pdf

Comments

Why did they lay their coats at Saul's feet?

The witnesses, laying their coats at the feet of Saul, were the men that would cast the first stones at Stephen in Acts 7. Why did they all lay their coats at Saul’s feet? The Talmud contains a very interesting account of the act of stoning that may provide the answer. “When the trial was over, they take him [the condemned person] out to be stoned. The place of stoning was at a distance from the court, as it is said, ‘Take out the one who has cursed.’ [i] A man stands at the entrance of the court; in his hand is a signaling flag [Hebrew sudarin = sudar , ‘scarf, sweater’]. A horseman was stationed far away but within sight of him. If one [of the judges] says, ‘I have something [more] to say in his favor,’ he [the signaler] waves the sudarin , and the horseman runs and stops them [from stoning him]. Even if [the condemned person] himself says, ‘I have something to say in my favor,’ they bring him back, even four of five times, only provided that there is some substance to...

Remember the Power of TZEDAQAH and Returning!

TZEDAQAH is the outstanding, overriding, and yet simple, theme of Jesus. This means one thing to people who view Jesus through a “Religion Box.” It means something very different to people who view Jesus through the “Alliance and Covenant of the Creator of the Skies and the Earth” box! Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/b63c22467a93/remember-the-power-of-tzedaqah-and-returning

Jesus Did Not Create a Religion

This a difficult concept for many American Christians to grasp. However, in order to understand the movement Jesus led, we must think about the things that he did. His parents took him to the Temple in Jerusalem every Passover because he was circumcised and named when he was eight days old. That day he became a son of the covenant Yahweh made with Abraham and his descendants. If that hadn’t been done, he would not have been allowed to enter specific areas of the Temple. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/9a75f2a8590c/jesus-did-not-create-a-religion

Biblical Heritage Center Blog

Search This Blog