Wednesday 11 May 2011

Jonah and Jesus, Jonah and Moses

I was not pleased that I elected to take a few days off from the psalms, but I did. And I have been rewarded by the delightful pdf by Duane Christensen, Reading Jonah in Hebrew. Surely I am ready for it and I was prepared for this moment. I have proven even at age 66 that the inductive method of learning a language works. I started learning Hebrew 5 years ago this summer - the proof of my searching and stumbling about is evident from my old blogs linked from the sidebar.

I did not point out how the movements of the king of Nineveh in chapter 3 are reflected in the life of Jesus and his movements as recorded in the foot-washing of John 13 (but I expect it will be obvious from my translation).
and the word touched the king of Nineveh
and he rose from his throne 
and put aside his majesty from him
and covered in sackcloth
and sat on an ash-heap
Jonah is like Jesus in so many ways. The resonances are evident in a close reading for one who has the NT at heart. Equally, Duane points out that Jonah is midrash on Deuteronomy 10:11-12. So we have in Jonah a sign joining the NT to TNK. Do note that the whole is a chiasm: TNKNT in English and that the Writings are central. The centre is always the important bit.  But equally, the frames are changed in their meaning when they are read as framing the central section.

There should be no conflict between Torah and New Testament when they are read in the context of the work to be done by us in the Spirit of the Anointed in our lives as described in the keys to Torah that are in the Writings. Jonah too is us. And we are furious - or haven't you noticed?

2 comments:

  1. Hello!
    You wrote: "There should be no conflict between Torah and New Testament when they are read in the context of the work to be done by us in the"

    I want to comment about that.

    It is important to note this: According to the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6 in Hebrew according to the Hebrew numbering (which differs from the Christian), the Messiah would teach his followers to observe the directives of the Torah – the books of Moses. The word ‘mishpat’ is used, which implies non-selective observance of the directives of the Torah to a person’s utmost.

    So this is what the Mashiakh – Messiah – must have taught about ‘salvation’:

    As stipulated in Devarim ["Deuteronomy"] 6:4-9,11:13-21 one is required to keep all of the directives of Torâh′ to one’s utmost—viz., “with all one’s heart, psyche and might [lit. "very"]“—”for the purpose of extending your days and the days of your children… like the days of the heavens above the earth” (i.e., eternal life). According to the Tan’’kh -Yekhezeqeil ["Ezekiel"] chapter 18 et.al – the Creator confer His atonement in His loving kindness to those and only those turning away from their Torah-transgressions and (re)turning to non-selectively Torah-observance including mishpat. Everyone has transgressed the Torah and it is possible to obtain forgiveness from the Creator in His loving kindness when living in the above way. The Creator has promised this in His Bible – which is in Hebrew – and He doesn’t lie.

    According to Torah if you breach one directive you are only guilty of breaching that particular directive of Torah. You should then repent, ask the Creator of forgiveness and return to doing your utmost to observe the directives of Torah non-selectively.

    Thus, in contradiction to what you say, there is a conflict between and Torah and the NT. The way of ‘salvation’ in NT contradicts Torah and what the Mashiakh taught. Thus, it will not lead to eternal life. It is only an emotional filled experience that doesn’t describe a real encounter with the Creator. I am a former Christian and understand that after having studied Torah in Hebrew according to etymology.

    Doing your utmost to follow the directives of Torah will lead you into an immensly meaningful relationsship with the Creator.

    Anders Branderud

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  2. Hi Anders
    Hashem works with me through the death of Jesus called Christ by many, Messiah in the sense that the Anointing Spirit was in him in the days of his flesh without measure. Hashem works with me. I do not follow Torah in the sense that you seem to indicate. But Hashem works with me. I, like the psalmist, lack nothing.

    I don't find a need to explain this or to justify it with words. If anyone comes to God through the death of Jesus, they will find this satisfaction. It cannot be entered by violence, even the violence of confession or proscription. The just one is known by faith. I cannot define faith for you nor can you for me.

    But I am glad you have found what gives you such knowledge in your zeal. Take care that your zeal is founded on the faith of the just one so that your life does not become a stumbling block to others as the Apostle wrote - you don't want what is your good to be spoken of by others as if it was evil.

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