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This 46-page booklet by Joan Snipes was published in December 2006. It is a compilation of three years worth of Bible-related information that first appeared in Joan's e-newsletters from December 2003 through October 2006. A two-page table of contents makes finding specific information easy. This second volume supplements Exploring the Bible, Volume 1, which covers e-newsletters from April 2001 through October 2003.
A variety of topics are included in Volume 2, including: Jesus' reliance on Hebrew Scriptures, Amos's plumbline, archaeology, biblical mountains, biblical literacy, Bible-related gift ideas, and the epistle by James. In addition, there are book reviews, the words to some fun Bible songs, and two Bible worksheets. There are numerous references to interesting Bible sites on the Internet.
Excerpt
To what extent did Christ Jesus know, lean on, and value the Hebrew Scriptures, as evidenced in the Bible?
Gospel writer Matthew notes that Christ Jesus declared: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." (Matthew 5:17) During his years of ministry, Jesus demonstrated a very thorough knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures. He saw his life and mission as the fulfillment of prophecy.
The various people Jesus mentions in the course of his teaching and healing evidence one aspect of his familiarity with Scripture. Here is a list of them: Abel, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Lot, Moses, David, Solomon, Elisha, Jonah, and Zacharias/Zechariah, a righteous man who was stoned to death in the court of the temple. (II Chronicles 24:20-22; Matthew 23:35)
At key points in his career, Jesus quoted from the Old Testament. This happened time and time again. This brief essay simply highlights a few examples. (All Bible quotes are from the King James Version.)
When Jesus joined Cleopas and another disciple on the road to Emmaus, he found them discussing the news of his crucifixion. The disappointment these two disciples were feeling at the moment is reflected in one brief comment: "we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel." Jesus' reply shows his reliance on Bible passages and their relevance to his life and mission. "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." He continued, "Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures." (Luke 24:45)
The Hebrew Scriptures consisted of three main divisions, or groups of books: the Torah or Book of the Law, the Nebiim or Prophets, and the Kethubim or Writings. It is significant, according to Bible scholar Thomas Leishman, that "one book out of each of these three groups seems to have been regarded by the Master as of especial interest or importance, as far as can be judged from a careful study of his citations." The three books most commonly quoted by Jesus are Deuteronomy, representing the Law; Isaiah, from the Prophets; and Psalms, from the other writings of the Old Testament. Leishman goes on to say: "these three books embody the highest type of thought to be found in the divisions of the Hebrew Bible which they represent."
The book of Psalms had a vital influence upon our Master's thought. Several of the beatitudes are borrowed almost word for word from the Psalms. "The meek shall inherit the earth" were originally words of the Psalmist. (Psalm 37:11 says: "the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.") "Blessed are the pure in heart" is an echo of Psalm 24:3, where the writer asks who is fitted to stand in God's holy place, and the answer comes, "He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart." Another distinct foreshadowing of a beatitude is in Psalm 18:25, where the poet cries to God: "With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful."
Jesus' most poignant references to the Psalter occurred when his crucifixion was imminent. John records this statement: "this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause." Jesus' reference is to Psalm 35:19 which reads: "Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause."
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