As
we look at some of the ideas regarding Christian faith stemming from the
prophets, patriarchs, and priests, we want to look at the Essenes once again.
The Essenes were not the originators of Christianity, but the extension of the
order of Melchizedek and the Zedeks. As we look at this group of people we will
notice ideas familiar to us and we will start to explore and compare these
ideas with the Bible. The caution here is not to do what the mystic religions
have done in declaring the Essenes the only true religion. As we noted, those
ideas were popularized until 1947 when the Dead Sea Scrolls were found and translated.
Once we ascertained the written text from various caves we found that the
mystic ideas of flower child-esq, spiritually deep communes were not accurate
at all. While the Essenes had some good ideas, they had some unusual ones too,
and Jesus changed some of those practices and procedures so that we could have
a spiritually deep walk with Him.
If
we step back and take a thirty thousand foot view of the Bible we see that
Theos/Elohim wanted to have a relationship with humans. We also see that there
are some humans who lived righteous lives and walked and talked with
Kurios/Yahweh. The unfortunate realization is that many people did not live
righteously. By not having faith that a Messiah would come, or having faith
that Jesus is the Messiah, depending on the time period people were/are alive,
many humans perished and are still perishing. Shem, Noah’s son, started a
school in the land that was deeded to Shem and his heirs. From a high altitude
view, through history we see that the number of attendants to Shem’s/Melchizedek’s/Adonizedek’s
ways and practices growing. We see these people cloistering in groups all
around the region of Israel and recording the events of these people, the
prophets. The common factor we see is that by being righteous, the Holy Spirit
was able to dwell with them and inspire them to incredible miracles. The more
religiously pious, hasedik, the more righteous, zedek, the stronger the miracles they
performed. Their order went underground at times, but they didn’t disappear or
die out.
On
the Day of Pentecost the struggle for maintaining personal righteousness became
abolished as Jesus’ blood cleansed humans, and by faith in Jesus as Lord and
Messiah the Holy Spirit came to dwell inside those believers. Now the daily rules
and regulations one used to have to be under to maintain the presence of the
Holy Spirit have changed along with the dispensation/administration of the age.
While every believer on Jesus as Messiah has the Holy Spirit residing within,
the presence of sin thwarts the ability of connecting with the Holy Spirit. So
while the issue of righteousness, redemption, sanctification, and justification
has been settled by Jesus’ blood, sin will hinder the Holy Spirit in ones’
life. In comparison with the former dispensational prophets and today’s
administrative age, Jesus’ blood atoned for sins in this age which the prophets
of the former age had to atone for themselves. Jesus’ blood is a huge asset to
humanity and we will begin to see the reasons for such strict codes of conduct
among the religiously pious, hasediks, or the Zedeks.
Let’s
take another short look at history. In the time of King Ahab, Jezebel killed
the prophets, the Zedeks. Ahab started his reign in Israel (the northern
kingdom) around 874 BCE, but there had already been defilement in the Temple at
Jerusalem (the southern kingdom) since 930 BCE when the kingdom split. Twenty
years later, 910 BCE, Asa (in the southern kingdom) tried to clean up the
temple. By the time Ahab and Jezebel begin to reign there has been 56 years
since the defilement of the temple. Elijah starts prophesying against Ahab (the
northern kingdom) around 865 BCE, nine years after Ahab begins his reign. So we
see by this time 65 years since the defilement in the temple, there are
prophets scattered all over the region not connected with the temple or temple
service. There are communities of Zedeks that are living in Carmel, in
Damascus, in Bethel, and in Jericho, as well as smaller groups in and around
Jerusalem.
1
Kings 18:3-4 And Ahab called Obadiah, who was the governor of his house. (Now
Obadiah feared the Lord greatly; 4 For when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the
Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed
them with bread and water.) AMP
These
caves in the northern kingdom were on Mount Carmel, which is located by the
sea. The caves were relatively large as up to 50 prophets could live in each
cave. This tells us that at this time there must have been a great number of
prophets in the northern kingdom as Jezebel didn’t notice 100 prophets missing
from the execution. These prophets lived in the region of northern Israel
between Carmel and the Sea of Galilee. That is where Nazareth would eventually
become a Roman Garrison and later known as a town. Carmel since this time
became a holy mountain, probably due to Elijah’s miracles there, and some
religious groups adhere to the belief that their order started with the Carmel
prophets.
1
Kings 18:7-15 As Obadiah was on the way, behold, Elijah met him. He recognized
him and fell on his face and said, Are you my lord Elijah? 8 He answered him,
It is I. Go tell your lord, Behold, Elijah is here. 9 And he said, What sin
have I committed, that you would deliver your servant into the hands of Ahab to
be slain? 10 As the Lord your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my
lord has not sent to seek you. And when they said, He is not here, he took an
oath from the kingdom or nation that they had not found you. 11 And now you
say, Go tell your lord, Behold, Elijah is here. 12 And as soon as I have gone
out from you, the Spirit of the Lord will carry you I know not where; so when I
come and tell Ahab and he cannot find you, he will kill me. But I your servant
have feared and revered the Lord from my youth. 13 Was it not told my lord what
I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the Lord, how I hid a hundred men of
the Lord's prophets by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water? 14
And now you say, Go tell your lord, Behold, Elijah is here; and he will kill
me. 15 Elijah said, As the Lord of hosts lives, before Whom I stand, I will
surely show myself to Ahab today. AMP
Clearly
Obadiah was in fear of Ahab regarding Elijah, but not in fear of Ahab over
hiding the prophets in caves. Notice Obadiah’s words regarding Elijah, ‘the
Spirit of the Lord will carry you I know not where’. That is interesting as we
remember that Philip had that experience many years later. Is it possible that
the Holy Spirit did that with people from time to time? It would seem like it.
Elijah’s response is equally fascinating. He says ‘As the Lord of the Angel
armies lives, before Whom I stand…’ Elijah was quite certain of whom he stood
before, the Kurios/Yahweh of the Angel armies. After the whole contest on
Carmel Elijah kills the 450 prophets of Baal. As we noted last week, he is told
by God that there are 7000 who have not bowed to Baal. Eventually Elijah goes
to the wilderness of Damascus. Damascus is north and a bit east of Galilee. As
we also noticed last week Elijah probably traveled along the eastern side of
the Jordan to make his way north. So even with the evil kings of the north and
the defiled temple in the south, the prophets lived all over the region.
In
about 539 BCE Cyrus allows the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the
temple. Another defilement of the temple took place around 200 BCE and there
was a split of Zedeks who went to Damascus. From here we have a scroll found
among the caves at Qumran called the “Damascus Rule”. When the prophets spread
out they lived in communities with specific rules for each community. At this
time (200 BCE) a large number of the Zedek prophets and priests moved northward
to Damascus.
Elijah
had gone there to anoint two people to be kings and one prophet. Elijah’s
lament to God was that the children of Israel had forsaken the covenant. So God
sends him to Damascus, Syria, for three important people. Take special note of
Damascus for the time period after the diaspora when you read the New
Testament. Where was Paul (Saul) going when Jesus met him on the road and
blinded him? Paul was from what branch of religion? The distance between
Damascus and Jerusalem is about 135 miles. If the Zedeks had been established
there around 865 BCE, and more moved to Damascus around 200 BCE, is it
reasonable to assume that after Jesus died, resurrected and ascended, the
people of Damascus believed Jesus was the Messiah? Matt 4:24 tells us that
Jesus’ fame regarding healings in Galilee spread to Syria. By the time of
Paul’s persecution of the church, there were enough believers in Damascus that Paul
would attempt to persecute. Although Jesus never went to Damascus to preach,
the people had only heard about Jesus’ miracles. In Damascus there was a
disciple named Ananias who heard from God and healed Paul and baptized him in
the Holy Spirit. There were Zedeks in Damascus.
This is a short excerpt from the
Damascus Rule:
Yet they wallowed in the sin of
man and in ways of uncleanness, and they said, 'This is our (way).' But God, in
His wonderful mysteries, forgave them their sin and pardoned their wickedness;
and He built them a sure house in Israel whose like has never existed from
former times till now. Those who hold fast to it are destined to live for ever
and all the glory of Adam shall be theirs. As God ordained for them by the hand
of the Prophet Ezekiel, saying, The Priests, the Levites, and the sons IV of
Zadok who kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel strayed
from me, they shall offer me fat and blood (Ezek. xliv, 15).
The Priests are the converts of
Israel who departed from the land of Judah, and (the Levites are) those who
joined them. The sons of Zadok are the elect of Israel, the men called by name
who shall stand at the end of days. Behold the exact list of their names
according to their generations, and the time when they lived, and the number of
their trials, and the years of their sojourn, and the exact list of their
deeds...
(They were the first men) of
holiness whom God forgave, and who justified the righteous and condemned the
wicked. And until the age is completed, according to the number of those years,
all who enter after them shall do according to that interpretation of the Law
in which the first were instructed. According to the Covenant which God made
with the forefathers, forgiving their sins, so shall He forgive their sins
also. But when the age is completed, according to the number of those years,
there shall be no more joining the house of Judah, but each man shall stand on
his watchtower: The wall is built, the boundary far removed (Mic. vii, II).
During all those years Satan
shall be unleashed against Israel, as He spoke by the hand of Isaiah, son of
Amoz, ' saying, Terror and the pit and the snare are upon you, 0 inhabitant of
the land (Isa. xxiv, 17). Interpreted, these are the three nets of Satan with
which Levi son of Jacob said that he catches Israel by setting them up as three
kinds of righteousness. The first is riches, the second is fornication, and the
third is profanation of the Temple. Whoever escapes the first is caught in the
second, and whoever saves himself from the second is caught in the third (Isa.
xxiv, 18). http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/scrolls_deadsea/deadseascrolls_english/05.htm
Levi’s
comments noted here in the Damascus Rule are also found in the Testament
of Levi which
may have been re-scribed around 137 BCE. By this time the common language was
Greek, not Paleo Hebrew. It is interesting to see what type of documents they
read and believed. Getting back to our timeline, the Maccabean revolt took place
in 167 BCE, just prior to this was the separation of the Zedeks to Damascus. Jesus
was born around 3BCE. At this time many people believed the word of God to have
been broken, and that a Messiah would not come to save Israel.
Something
we want to think about is how frequently people actually traveled. It seems
strange to us today, as most of the world is pretty firmly planted in their
location. We have homes with mortgages, jobs, and children in schools. We
simply don’t just get up and travel 100 miles by foot, horse, or caravan,
whenever it seems fit. But in those days there were no telephones or internet,
so to communicate to someone in a distant place one had to send a message,
usually verbal. That means it was far more common to travel from place to place
than it is today. Mary was impregnated and then traveled from Nazareth to
Jerusalem to see Elizabeth. Then she traveled back to Nazareth. Then because they
had to register and pay taxes, Mary and Joseph had to travel south again from
Nazareth to Bethlehem. Once Jesus was born and dedicated in the temple they
traveled back to Nazareth. Jerusalem to Nazareth is about 90 miles one way, add
six miles to go further south to Bethlehem, so imagine traveling that distance without
a car.
Jesus’
life after this point seems a bit mysterious and we will now attempt to make
sense of it all. The first thing we see is that the offering made in the temple
after Jesus’ birth of two turtledoves and two pigeons is an Essene sacrifice.
It is the sacrifice Essenes make in the temple. Then the Magi came from the
east to find Jesus in Bethlehem, but he wasn’t there. There were probably about
1000 people traveling in this caravan. The prophet Daniel was the one who
schooled the Magi on reading the signs in the heavens during the captivity in
Babylon. When the diaspora was over, some Magi stayed in Babylon and some
traveled west. We now have the eastern Magi and the western Magi. The eastern
Magi stayed true to their instruction in astronomy. The western Magi lost their
knowledge and became fortune tellers. By the time the eastern Magi got to
Bethlehem the family had traveled back to Nazareth.
Matt 2:11-15 And on going into the house, they saw the
Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then opening
their treasure bags, they presented to Him gifts — gold and frankincense and
myrrh. 12 And receiving an answer to their asking, they were divinely
instructed and warned in a dream not to go back to Herod; so they departed to
their own country by a different way. 13 Now after they had gone, behold, an
angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, Get up! [Tenderly]
take unto you the young Child and His mother and flee to Egypt; and remain
there till I tell you [otherwise], for Herod intends to search for the Child in
order to destroy Him. 14 And having risen, he took the Child and His mother by
night and withdrew to Egypt 15 And remained there until Herod's death. This was
to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, Out of Egypt have I called
My Son. [Hos 11:1.] AMP
Joseph and Mary were living among the prophets, Zedeks, in
the region of Nazareth. Nazareth lies between Mt Carmel and Galilee. The trek
to Egypt would have been a long journey and they probably went by boat because
by land the journey is over 500 miles to Alexandria, Egypt. One might wonder
why they would have gone there, and we will get to that in a moment. But we
have to recognize that Joseph was not some half-witted carpenter who could not
measure correctly. Joseph has, by this time, received some incredible
revelation, prophetic revelation. Joseph was a Zedek, living a vow of purity in
Nazareth. The only people receiving angelic visitations and revelations in
dreams are the prophets, right? So Joseph was not just some goofball who got
tangled up in some sort of crazy God story, he was a devout man, chosen to
raise the Son of the Most High on the earth. How would you like that job? In
all fairness, we do not give Joseph the respect he deserves. Notice this verse:
Matt 1:24-25 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the
angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:25 And knew her
not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
KJV
This is a rule of the Essenes that one is not to have
sexual relations with a pregnant woman. This is not a rule or law from our canon
of scripture. This is just one of those peculiar verses that we didn’t have an
explanation for until we read the rules the Essenes lived by.
Now why would Mary and Joseph head to Alexandria? A branch
of devout Jews, connected to the Zedeks, and Essenes lived just west of
Alexandria around Lake Mariout. This community of people were highly religious,
living a communal life. If we want to read about a group of people who act like
Christians, before the age of Christianity, the Therapeutaes are a fascinating
group of people. Philo gave us some great insight into their lives and we will
briefly look at a few things he records. However, one might consider reading
his entire survey of the Therapeutes. He is a bit wordy and compares the Greeks
and Egyptians and their banquets to the Therapeutaes celebration of the Feast
of Weeks. The Feast of Weeks is Shavot
or known today as Pentecost. Philo
was presumed to write of this around 10CE which is prior to the day the Holy
Spirit was poured out on the believers. Philo may be a bit confusing, but in
general it is a wonderful look at this lost group of Zedeks and in particular
their celebration of the Feast of Weeks. Let’s read a few ideas of Philo’s.
The Works of Philo
Philo 3:(25) And in every house
there is a sacred shrine which is called the holy place, and the monastery in
which they retire by themselves and perform all the mysteries of a holy life,
bringing in nothing, neither meat, nor drink, nor anything else which is
indispensable towards supplying the necessities of the body, but studying in
that place the laws and the sacred oracles of God enunciated by the holy
prophets, and hymns, and psalms, and all kinds of other things by reason of
which knowledge and piety are increased and brought to perfection. (26) Therefore
they always retain an imperishable recollection of God, so that not even in
their dreams is any other object ever presented to their eyes except the beauty
of the divine virtues and of the divine powers. Therefore many persons speak in
their sleep, divulging and publishing the celebrated doctrines of the sacred
philosophy.
Philo 3:(29) They have also
writings of ancient men, who having been the founders of one sect or another
have left behind them many memorials of the allegorical system of writing and
explanation, whom they take as a kind of model, and imitate the general fashion
of their sect; so that they do not occupy themselves solely in contemplation,
but they likewise compose psalms and hymns to God in every kind of metre and
melody imaginable, which they of necessity arrange in more dignified rhythm.
Philo 10:(78) And these
explanations of the sacred scriptures are delivered by mystic expressions in
allegories, for the whole of the law appears to these men to resemble a living
animal, and its express commandments seem to be the body, and the invisible
meaning concealed under and lying beneath the plain words resembles the soul,
in which the rational soul begins most excellently to contemplate what belongs
to itself, as in a mirror, beholding in these very words the exceeding beauty
of the sentiments, and unfolding and explaining the symbols, and bringing the
secret meaning naked to the light to all who are able by the light of a slight
intimation to perceive what is unseen by what is visible.
Philo 10:(80) and then some
one rising up sings a hymn which has been made in honour of God, either such as
he has composed himself, or some ancient one of some old poet, for they have
left behind them many poems and songs in trimetre iambics, and in psalms of
thanksgiving and in hymns, and songs at the time of libation, and at the altar,
and in regular order, and in choruses, admirably measured out in various and
well diversified strophes. And after him then others also arise in their ranks,
in becoming order, while every one else listens in decent silence, except when
it is proper for them to take up the burden of the song, and to join in at the
end; for then they all, both men and women, join in the hymn.
Philo 11:(90) This then is what I
have to say of those who are called therapeutae, who have devoted themselves to
the contemplation of nature, and who have lived in it and in the soul alone,
being citizens of heaven and of the world, and very acceptable to the Father
and Creator of the universe because of their virtue, which has procured them
his love as their most appropriate reward, which far surpasses all the gifts of
fortune, and conducts them to the very summit and perfection of happiness.
When we read the whole essay in context, we find that his
group put on a quiet church service. Albeit Philo is speaking of a special holy
day ceremonial banquet. But imagine if the Christians would take this as
seriously as the Therapeutaes. People would hear the Guardian of the community,
read the scriptures with long plain explanations of the meaning of the passage,
sing, recite poems, sing again, eat, pray, and sing some more. They then go
outside and sing and pray until dawn, praising God for another day. Incidentally,
this is what Paul tried to school us on regarding the love feast in
Corinthians. This was the way it was to be done in contrast to what people were
doing in Corinth.
The Therapeutaes were known healers, it was a healing
ministry. They believed in a lot of praise and worship. Mary and Joseph would
have fit in at the Therapeutae community and would have been protected
there. So let’s make a mental note of
this, at this time period there were Zedeks in Damascus and Zedeks in Nazareth,
Zedeks in Qumran, and Zedeks in Egypt. We have mistakenly thought that Mary and
Joseph were all alone. On the contrary, they were nurtured and cared for by
their religious community. This is the way the Church functions when it operates
in purity and love. Caring for one another, learning, worshiping, praising, and
praying. Then making sure all the needs of the individuals in the community are
met. The Therapeutaes had all things in common.
The Messiah was prophesied as being born in Bethlehem,
coming from Nazareth (separated out), and coming out of Egypt. Now why are
these prophecies important regarding where Jesus was from?
Mic 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephratah, you are little to be
among the clans of Judah; [yet] out of you shall One come forth for Me Who is
to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth have been from of old, from ancient
days (eternity). [Gen 49:10; Matt 2:5-12; John 7:42.] AMP
Matt 2:6 And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are
not in any way least or insignificant among the chief cities of Judah; for from
you shall come a Ruler (Leader) Who will govern and shepherd My people Israel.
[Mic 5:2.] AMP
Ps 89:3-4 [You have said] I have made a covenant with My
chosen one, I have sworn to David My servant, 4 Your Seed I will establish
forever, and I will build up your throne for all generations. Selah [pause, and
calmly think of that]! [Isa 9:7; Luke 1:32,33; Gal 3:16]
AMP
John 7:42 Does not the Scripture tell us that the Christ
will come from the offspring of David and from Bethlehem, the village where
David lived? [Ps 89:3,4; Mic 5:2.] AMP
Hos 11:1 WHEN ISRAEL was a child, then I loved him and
called My son out of Egypt. [Matt 2:15.] AMP
Matt 2:15 And remained there until Herod's death. This was
to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, Out of Egypt have I called
My Son. [Hos 11:1.] AMP
Isa 11:1 AND THERE shall come forth a Shoot out of the
stock of Jesse [David's father], and a Branch out of his roots shall grow and
bear fruit. [Isa 4:2; Matt 2:23; Rev 5:5; 22:16.] AMP
Matt 2:23 He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so
that what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled: He shall be
called a Nazarene [Branch, Separated One]. [Isa 11:1.] AMP
The prophets Micah, Hosea, Isaiah, and Ethan the Ezrahite
all spoke of the Messiah and where he would come from. The only people paying
attention to these prophecies were the prophets. If Jesus came from Bethlehem
he would be seen as a ruler like David. If Jesus came out of Egypt he would be
like the sons of Jacob. If Jesus came out of Nazareth he would be known as a
separated one, a consecrated one with a vow of purity. Is there anyone else
that satisfied these three requirements to fulfill what the prophets
prophesied? How could the Jews miss the Messiah? Because they were not Zedeks,
they were not schooled in prophecy. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit was not on the
people in general. The Holy Spirit was not on the Pharisees or Sadducees, or
the general Levites unless they were pure and righteous. The common people may
not have known that the Messiah was to come from all three places. The common
people heard the scriptures read in synagogues, which were run by rabbis, not
prophets or Zedeks.
Again, Joseph hears from God in a dream and obeys. They
move back to the area of the Northern kingdom and the Nazarene community.
Joseph and Mary moved to Nazareth prior to 6CE. So their time in Egypt was at
best eight years.
Matt 2:19-3:1 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the
Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 And said, Rise, [tenderly] take
unto you the Child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who
sought the Child's life are dead. 21 Then he awoke and arose and [tenderly]
took the Child and His mother and came into the land of Israel. 22 But because
he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in the place of his father Herod,
he was afraid to go there. And being divinely warned in a dream, he withdrew to
the region of Galilee. 23 He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that
what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled: He shall be called a
Nazarene [Branch, Separated One]. [Isa 11:1.] AMP
Luke 2:39-40 And when they had done everything according to
the Law of the Lord, they went back into Galilee to their own town, Nazareth.
40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the
grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of God was upon Him. [Judg 13:24; 1 Sam
2:26.]
Jesus became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom. How does
one become strong in Spirit? One must adhere to the
Nazarite/Essene/Therapeutae/Zedek vows of purification and purity. The next
events in Jesus’ life we see was when he was twelve. His family took him to the
temple for the Passover. There are a few different theories here. One theory is
that because he was a bastard child he had a Bar-Mitzvah a year earlier than
other boys. Another theory is that the Essene community started formal
schooling for boys at 12 years old. Another theory is as Josephus mentions in
the Antiquities of the Jews 5:10:2, that Samuel was 12 when he began to
prophesy in the tabernacle which was in Shiloh. The most likely answer is that
Jesus was about to start his formal schooling in the Zedek ways and as Samuel
started at twelve, Jesus, as well as other boys, would have started their
schooling at twelve, visiting the temple first.
Luke 2:41 Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year to
the Passover Feast. [Deut 16:1-8; Ex 23:15.] 42 And when He was twelve years
[old], they went up, as was their custom. 43 And when the Feast was ended, as
they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. Now His
parents did not know this, 44 But, supposing Him to be in the caravan, they
traveled on a day's journey; and [then] they sought Him [diligently, looking up
and down for Him] among their kinsfolk and acquaintances. 45 And when they
failed to find Him, they went back to Jerusalem, looking for Him [up and down]
all the way. 46 After three days they found Him [came upon Him] in the [court
of the] temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them
questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished and overwhelmed with
bewildered wonder at His intelligence and understanding and His replies. 48 And
when they [Joseph and Mary] saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to
Him, Child, why have You treated us like this? Here Your father and I have been
anxiously looking for You [distressed and tormented]. 49 And He said to them,
How is it that you had to look for Me? Did you not see and know that it is
necessary [as a duty] for Me to be in My Father's house and [occupied] about My
Father's business? 50 But they did not comprehend what He was saying to them.
51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was [habitually]
obedient to them; and his mother kept and closely and persistently guarded all
these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom (in broad and full
understanding) and in stature and years, and in favor with God and man AMP
Let’s look at this scroll from the Essenes.
6 - The Messianic Rule
<<I>> This
is the Rule for all the congregation of Israel in the last days, when they
shall join [the Community to wa]lk according to the law of the sons of Zadok
the Priests and of the men of their Covenant who have turned aside [from the]
way of the people, the men of His Council who keep His Covenant in the midst of
iniquity, offering expiation [for the Land]
When they come, they shall summon them all, the little
children and the women also, and they shall read into their [ears] the precepts
of the Covenant and shall expound to them all their statutes that they may no
longer stray in their [errors],
And this is the Rule for all the hosts of the
congregation, for every man born in Israel
From [his] youth they shall instruct him in the Book of
Meditation and shall teach him, according to his age, the precepts of the
Covenant. He [shall be edu]cated in their statutes for ten years ...
At the age of twenty years [he shall be] enrolled, that he
may enter upon his allotted duties in the midst of his family (and) be joined
to the holy congregation. He shall not [approach] a woman to know her by lying
with her before he is fully twenty years old, when he shall know [good] and
evil. And thereafter, he shall be accepted when he calls to witness the
judgements of the Law, and shall be (allowed) to assist at the hearing of
judgements.
At the age of twenty-five years he may take his place among
the foundations (i.e. the lower ranks) of the holy congregation to work in the
service of the congregation.
At the age of thirty years he may approach to participate
in lawsuits and judgements, and may take his place among the chiefs of the
Thousands of Israel, the chiefs of the Hundreds, Fifties, and Tens, the Judges
and the officers of their tribes, in all their families, [under the authority]
of the sons of [Aar]on the Priests. And every head of family in the
congregation who is chosen to hold office, [to go] and come before the
congregation, shall strengthen his loins that he may perform his tasks among
his brethren in accordance with his understanding and the perfection of his
way. According to whether this is great or little, so shall one man be honoured
more than another.
When a man is advanced in years, he shall be given a duty
in the [ser]vice of the congregation in proportion to his strength.
No simpleton shall be chosen to hold office in the
congregation of Israel with regard to lawsuits or judgement, nor carry any
responsibility in the congregation. Nor shall he hold any office in the war destined
to vanquish the nations; his family shall merely inscribe him in the army
register and he shall do his service in task-work in proportion to his
capacity.
The sons of Levi shall hold office, each in his place,
under the authority of the sons of Aaron. They shall cause all the congregation
to go and come, each man in his rank, under the direction of the heads of
family of the congregation -the leaders, Judges, and officers, according to the
number of all their hosts - under the authority of the sons of Zadok the
Priests, [and] (under the direction) [of all the] heads of family of the
congregation. And when the whole assembly is summoned for judgement, or for a
Council of the Community, or for war, they shall sanctify them for three days
that every one of its members may be prepared. http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/scrolls_deadsea/deadseascrolls_english/06.htm
Some texts tell us that boys and girls started their formal
schooling at 12, and at 21 finished their first level of education. Let’s
remember that Jacob went to Shem and Eber’s school at 21 and left over thirty
years later. So the educational process is fluid, as it has been in our day and
time. At 21 a person could decide to continue their education and would finish
a fourth level of education at thirty. At 30 years old one could then become
part of the leadership of the congregation. At 30, one could also then leave
the community to enter public service, teaching, preaching, and healing. This
was not to the end of self-promotion but in service to others. After Jesus
fulfilled the purification of baptism, he was led by the Holy Spirit into the
desert.
Luke 4:1-2 THEN JESUS, full of and controlled by the Holy
Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led in [by] the [Holy] Spirit 2 For
(during) forty days in the wilderness (desert), where He was tempted (tried,
tested exceedingly) by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and
when they were completed, He was hungry. [Deut 9:9; 1 Kings 19:8.] AMP
When Jesus finished in the desert he went back to Nazareth
and into the synagogue. We have to understand what was happening here. The
Zedeks had their own community and schools, they did not really participate in
the temple at Jerusalem and they did not teach in synagogues. They primarily
kept to themselves, believing that the secrets of the prophetic was not meant
for all people. Remember how Jesus spoke in parables, and then would explain what
he said to his disciples saying that it was not given for them to know the
mysteries?
Luke 8:10 He said to them, To you it has been given to
[come progressively to] know (to recognize and understand more strongly and
clearly) the mysteries and secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they
are in parables, so that, [though] looking, they may not see; and hearing, they
may not comprehend. [Isa 6:9,10; Jer 5:21; Ezek 12:2.] AMP
Mysteries and secrets are not for everyone. Think of all
the criticism non-believers in Jesus have toward the Gospel. Now think of what
baby Christians do with the written word of God. With both groups, what little
they know they tend to distort, causing more harm than good. Mysteries and
secrets are not for the immature, but for the kings and priests who search it
out, Proverbs 25:2. http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2015/01/riddles-parables-and-dark-sayings-of.html
Here is what Jesus told the community of non-Zedek’s in
Nazareth.
Luke 4:16-21 So He came to Nazareth, [that Nazareth] where
He had been brought up, and He entered the synagogue, as was His custom on the
Sabbath day. And He stood up to read. 17 And there was handed to Him [the roll
of] the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened (unrolled) the book and found the
place where it was written, [Isa 61:1,2.] 18 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon
Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the
good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the
captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those
who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by
calamity], 19 To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day
when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound.] [Isa 61:1,2.] 20 Then He rolled up the book
and gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue
were gazing [attentively] at Him. 21 And He began to speak to them: Today this
Scripture has been fulfilled while you are present and hearing. AMP
We have to understand what Jesus was saying, he was saying
“I’m THAT guy”. ‘I am the Messiah and I am fulfilling this scripture right here in front
of all of you’. Now the Essenes and Zedeks knew and believed a Messiah
would come out from them, but the rest of the people did not know or
understand. And here Jesus just broke the rules of telling people too much.
However, the Holy Spirit wanted this declaration made in the synagogue. We have
examined how the Masorete’s have erased the phrase ‘recovery of sight to the
blind’ from Isaiah 61 so that they could claim other people were the Messiah
and they would never have to heal the blind. As we know, Jesus healed at least
ten blind people. He told us the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, just like the
Zedek’s, the prophets in the prophet schools, in Qumran, Damascus, and Egypt.
The order of the Zedeks had not diminished, even though Jezebel attempted to
kill them all. And here we have someone who the Spirit of the Lord is upon
declaring this first part of Isaiah 61 is fulfilled that day. Let’s see what
else Jesus said. http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2014/10/recovery-of-sight-to-blind-isaiah-61.html
Luke 4:22-28 And all spoke well of Him and marveled at the
words of grace that came forth from His mouth; and they said, Is not this
Joseph's Son? 23 So He said to them, You will doubtless quote to Me this
proverb: Physician, heal [G2323] Yourself! What we have learned by hearsay that
You did in Capernaum, do here also in Your [own] town. 24 Then He said,
Solemnly I say to you, no prophet is acceptable and welcome in his [own] town
(country). 25 But in truth I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the
days of Elijah, when the heavens were closed up for three years and six months,
so that there came a great famine over all the land; 26 And yet Elijah was not
sent to a single one of them, but only to Zarephath in the country of Sidon, to
a woman who was a widow. [1 Kings 17:1,8-16; 18:1.] 27 And there were many
lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and yet not one of them was
cleansed [by being healed] — but only Naaman the Syrian. [2 Kings 5:1-14.] 28
When they heard these things, all the people in the synagogue were filled with
rage. AMP
G2323 θεραπεύω therapeuō ther-ap-yoo'-o From
the same as G2324;
to wait upon menially, that is, (figuratively)
to adore (God), or (specifically) to relieve (of
disease)
The saying ‘Physician attend to yourself’ is understood as
saying “Go take care of your own needs”. But look at the word therapeuo, it is the same place we get
the word Therapeutae. Jesus goes on telling the people they are probably saying
“do that miracle of casting out unclean
spirits here like you did in Capernaum, that new doctrine thing of speaking to
demons with authority” Mark 1:21-ff. If we understand the Zedek ways, it is
not proper to hold a miracle circus for the sake of exploitation. Nor is it
proper to perform miracles on demand. So Jesus says, look there were plenty of
widows during the famine but Elijah was sent to only Zarephath, and there were
many lepers as well, but Elisha only healed Naaman. We may not get it, but
Jesus was saying miracles come to some people, not necessarily all people. Everyone
wants a miracle, but that is not the point of our lives. By this time, the news
of his authority over demons was known in the region. Think of it, if Jesus
healed someone in the next town over, would you demand he do the same in your
town? Would you believe he is the Messiah if he did the same miracle? So we
have reduced the prophetic relationship of Yahweh and men to physical healing
and not communion with Him. The Therapeutaes, who excelled in healings,
understood this and did not wear snazzy suits and push people backwards to get
healed. The people at the synagogue in Nazareth did not have the Spirit upon
them, they did not understand why he wouldn’t do magic tricks for them too. But
Jesus instructs his disciples and sends them out to the lost sheep. Now wait a
minute, this is a new thing here.
Matt 10:5-16 Jesus sent out these twelve, charging them, Go
nowhere among the Gentiles and do not go into any town of the Samaritans; 6 But
go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach,
saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand! 8 Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely (without pay) you have received,
freely (without charge) give. 9 Take no gold nor silver nor [even] copper money
in your purses (belts); 10 And do not take a provision bag or a wallet for a
collection bag for your journey, nor two undergarments, nor sandals, nor a
staff; for the workman deserves his support (his living, his food). 11 And into
whatever town or village you go, inquire who in it is deserving, and stay there
[at his house] until you leave [that vicinity]. 12 As you go into the house,
give your greetings and wish it well. 13 Then if indeed that house is deserving,
let come upon it your peace [that is, freedom from all the distresses that are
experienced as the result of sin]. But if it is not deserving, let your peace
return to you. 14 And whoever will not receive and accept and welcome you nor
listen to your message, as you leave that house or town, shake the dust [of it]
from your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of
judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town. 16 Behold, I am
sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves; be wary and wise as
serpents, and be innocent (harmless, guileless, and without falsity) as doves.
[Gen 3:1.] AMP
Jesus takes a turn from the ways of the Essenes and their
schooling to instruct twelve disciples in the ways of ministering healing. He
tells them to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel to cure the sick,
raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons, and announce the kingdom
of heaven is at hand. Do all this for free. Allow people to be hospitable and
be wise, you’ll be like sheep among wolves, but be innocent as doves. This is
what caused Mary and Jesus’ half siblings to think he was crazy, he was
ministering to large crowds and people were following him everywhere. As we
studied a while back, the amount of people that followed Jesus grew to
unreasonable numbers. He spent four days in the wilderness healing people. But
even though he says he is sent to the lost sheep, he still heals non-Jews.
http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-beauty-of-new-covenant-he-healed.html
Matt 15:24 He answered, I was sent only to the lost sheep
of the house of Israel. AMP
There are many things that Jesus started to do differently
from the rules and order of the Essenes of his day. That does not mean the
Essenes or their rules and orders are wrong. For that time period, before the
Holy Spirit came to indwell all who believe, people had to be pure, sin-free,
and righteous to be prophetic or Zedeks. Today, we can be righteous because of
Jesus’ blood, then it is up to us to be as pure as possible without thinking we
have to be under rules and laws to have the Holy Spirit work within us. For
example, the Essenes washed or immersed themselves before every meal. That was
cultural for them but not mandated for us. This is the reason it is necessary
to commune with the Holy Spirit, so we do what the Holy Spirit wants us to do.
We will work on comparing some of the ideas of the
community of the prophets, the Essenes, the Therapeutaes, and things Jesus and
Paul said and did. In 68 BCE the Romans attempted to kill off the Qumran
community and many may have fled to various places. One of those places as we
mentioned last week was Masada. About 960 people lived there. In 70 BCE the
Romans destroyed Jerusalem and decimated the temple. In 73 BCE the Romans laid
siege to Masada, but found almost everyone dead. If we remember Jesus’ words
“when you see the city surrounded, don’t bother grabbing your coat, run to the
mountains” Matt 24:15-ff. Then remember what Jesus said next? If someone tells
you that Christ is in the desert, don’t believe them. Jesus said there would
come false Christs and false prophets doing false signs and wonders. But don’t
worry, Jesus said when he does come you will see him for sure, just like
lightning. The first part of what he said, the warning about the city being
surrounded, is not the coming tribulation, but the desolation of Jerusalem. The
second part of what he said, regarding seeing him, is when he calls the saints
from the clouds. The Essenes seemed to think ahead to the time after the
tribulation, the millennial reign of Christ.
In the scroll The
Blessing of the Priests, we see some ideas as in the Book of Revelation
concerning the saints. May you be as an Angel in the Abode of Holiness to the
Glory of the God of the Angel Armies (Hosts). May you attend to the service of
the Temple of the Kingdom forever. Next week we will continue in our understanding
of the Zedeks and what this means for our day.
The Blessing Of The Priests
Words of blessing. The Master [shall bless] the sons of
Zadok the Priests, whom God has chosen to confirm His Covenant for [ever, and
to inquire] into all His precepts in the midst of His people, and to instruct
them as He commanded; who have established [His Covenant] on truth and watched
over all His laws with righteousness and walked according to the way of His
choice.
May the Lord bless you from His holy [Abode]; may He set
you as a splendid jewel in the midst of the congregation of the saints!
May He [renew] for you the Covenant of the everlasting]
priesthood;
may He sanctify you [for the House] of Holiness!
may He sanctify you [for the House] of Holiness!
May He [judge all] the leaders by your works, and all [the
princes] of the peoples by the words from out of your lips!
May He give you as your portion the first-fruits of [all
delectable things]; may He bless by your hand the counsel of all flesh!
<<IV>> ... may everlasting blessings be the
crown upon your head! ...
[For] He has chosen you [to] ... and to number the saints
and to [bless] your people ... the men of the Council of God by your hand, and
not by the hand of a prince ...
... May you be as an Angel of the Presence in the Abode of
Holiness to the glory of the God of [hosts] .
May you attend upon the service in the Temple of the
Kingdom and decree destiny in company with the Angels of the Presence, in common
council [with the Holy Ones] for everlasting ages and time without end; for
[all] His judgements are [truth]!
May He make you holy among His people, and an [eternal]
light [to illumine] the world with knowledge and to enlighten the face of the
Congregation [with wisdom]!
[May He] consecrate you to the Holy of Holies! For [you are
made] holy for Him and you shall glorify His Name and His holiness ...
