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| More than sacrifice |
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Modern Judaism is an off-shoot of the tradition of the Pharisees; observance of the law and customs. The original concept of worship for God's covenant people revolved around, not just the observance of the law, but also around the system of temple worship which mainly involved sacrifice. That is why Proverbs 21:3 might have been upsetting to those ancient ears that first heard it; the idea that there is something more important to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob than sacrifice! What God desires more than sacrifice is for us to live righteous lives and to do justice in our world. Countless people have told me, through the years, that they have a hard time reconcilling the stern and demanding God of the Old Testament with the God they meet in the New Testament through Jesus Christ. In the New Testament they meet a God of mercy, righteousness and justice. I maintain that there is no difference; for those with "ears to hear" even in the Old Testament, as seen in today's Bible verse, God was less concerned with sacrifice and making God's people suffer or even who was to possess "the land" than God was concerned with justice and righteousness! Now, just because God was more interested in justice and righteousness than sacrifice doesn't mean that God doesn't want or even ask for sacrifice - God demands a sacrifice; that's why we present our offerings to God as part of worship. But to focus solely on sacrifice at the expense of qualities such as justice, mercy and righteousness fails to capture the full greatness of God. Let's face it, we are human, and as humans we do not always have the capacity to grasp the fullness of God that is revealed to us in the scriptures. The Bible reminds us that we need to hold a balance in our understanding of God as the One who requires sacrifice, but desires MORE than sacrifice, and never wants sacrifice exclusively or especially at the expense of justice and righteousness. 21:3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. |
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| To add a comment to "More than sacrifice" |
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| March 10, 2009 |
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| While the Pharisees are now considered to be the fore-runners of the modern rabbinic movement, today's Judaism is in conflict between the more traditionalst Orthodox, who hold particular sway in Israel, and more modernist Conservative and Reform. The Reconstructionist and Renewal, two more recent strains, have yet to make an impact on mainstream Jewish thought although Reconstructionism is making headway. It goes to the heart of many Biblical debates, such as full inclusion, female clergy and even integration of the congregation (male/female). One's attitude towards the State of Israel further complicates the debate, with those who would place Israel at the center of the Jewish faith claiming anyone who disagrees is anti-Semetic. I would say that Judaism is right back in the place it was when Jesus came to Earth. Hopefully, we won't need another death on the cross for redemption. |
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| March 10, 2009 |
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| Yeah Ken, I figured you'd respond to this one with the insight only you could have! It's nice to have a former member of the Jewish faith who "gets" my blogs! Two questions, though; don't these new strains of rabinnic thought also place a high premium on sacrifice in terms of obedience to the law? And, what are your thoughts about the point I make that there is no difference between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament who places a higher premium on mercy and justice and righteousness than sacrifice? |
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| March 11, 2009 |
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This is a re-proofed version of a previous post which was deleted due to excessive spelling and grammatical errors.
Well, seeing as how I gave you a "star" for this one, you had to figure I'd be there. I'm not a "former," Jew, I'm still very much one. I am also a Christian who identifies himself as a Jewish Christian, not a "Messianic" Jew, as I believe describing Jesus as Messiah sells him very short. However, I think you know all that so I'm preaching to the choir.
As to your questions (only 2, why not 4?), sacrifice is definitely out. I don't know of any strain of Judaism, including the Hasidim and Kabbalah, that practices sacrifice anymore. Perhaps there is an extremely fundamentalist cult on some settlement somewhere that does it, but I'm not aware of it. Question 2, I believe I blogged about an experience I had on a retreat when I was in the Army and the Talmud Torah leader used Matthew 5:10-14 as proof that God had not forsaken anyone during the Nazi Holocaust. I believe that God is constant throughout the Bible. Since I believe that Jesus is God, who came to us as his Son to redeem His word from those who corrupted it, it stands to reason that Jesus' (God the Son's/Redeemer's) teachings were always there. There are many instances in Tanach when God, in proclaiming the over 600 commandments (is it 614 or 641?), says that He is both a demanding yet forgiving God. Micah's prophecy that all God has ever asked of us is to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly. There is nothing punitive there. The Psalms and Song of Solomon are about mercy and goodness, rejoicing in God's word. Therefore, although there may be superficial appearances, the bulk of Tanach speaks to God's justice, mercy and forgiveness. After all, the Jewish people were allowed into the land of milk and honey despite their many violations of God's word. It just took 40 years to get what had been a totally subjugated people ready for the task. It totally exhausted Moses, therefore, God let him see the prize before allowing him his well deserved rest. |
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