First, we have no idea who wrote these stories and where they got their information. No other bible authors tell a story of Jesus's birth, not even Paul, who was the most prolific writer before the gospel accounts came along. There is no historical corroboration, except for the existence of Herod and Quirinius with his census, but they were ten years apart. We can see that Matthew and Luke have two very different stories with different casts of characters. In Matthew, Mary has a very minor role, merely birthing Jesus. In Luke, she takes a significant part in the story with dialogue. There she becomes "blessed."
Naturally, a virgin conception of a male child appears to be an impossibility to us today. In that time, the microscopic mechanics of reproduction were not known. It was believed that the male "planted the seed" that would become a child. The woman's womb was the fertile, or barren, ground in which the seed grew. God was responsible for making the woman fertile or barren. If she was barren, she was in disgrace. Ultimately, the child belonged to the father, not the mother. Supposedly, the Holy Spirit was Jesus's father.
That a child should be concieved by a male God with a human mother was not a surprising thing in the first century. We can recall our school literature classes where we learned about ancient mythology and abundance of male gods who impregnated beautiful young women and had "special" children. Zeus alone was notorious. Here are some links to peruse:
Son of God
Demigod
List of demigods
Zeus's offspring
To read a fuller critique of Jesus and his life as recorded in the bible, I recommend The Christ by John E. Remsberg, found here.
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Thursday, December 24, 2015
The Nativity part 6- the miraculous conception
Well. I'm sure we all know how babies get started inside their mother's womb, but just in case, I'll refresh your memory. First there is a human woman of childbearing years who has functioning ovaries which release an egg once a month. Then there must be a human male of appropriate age who has functioning testicles which can release enough sperm to fertilize an ocean of eggs, should they become available. Then the male and female must have sexual relations so that at least one sperm can make its way to the one egg that has been released from the woman's ovary and is only available to be fertilized during a short window of time, perhaps a few days. Then the woman becomes pregnant.
The obvious question is "How was Jesus concieved?" Matthew only tells us Mary was found with child by the Holy Spirit. Luke, however, tells us that the Holy Spirit will "overshadow" Mary. What does that mean? Did the Holy Spirit have sex with her? We are told in both books that Mary was a virgin when she concieved Jesus, and that she had not had sex with a man. I guess the Holy Spirit doesn't count.
Seriously, there are only three options here: 1. One of Mary's eggs was caused to spontaneously reproduce without sperm from the Holy Spirit. 2. The Holy Spirit had sperm. 3. The elementary cluster of cells that would become Jesus just miraculously poofed into existence, with the help of the Holy Spirit, but without Mary's egg. Let's look at each option.
1. If one of Mary's eggs spontaneously reproduced without any human sperm, Jesus would have been Mary's clone and a female. Most males have a Y chromosome which they get from their sperm donor father. It seems that this is out of the question.
2. If the Holy Spirit had sperm, how was it delivered? Does the Holy Spirit have other male apparatus? Sperm have genetic information provided by the human parent. The Holy Spirit is not human, does he have genes? Did the Holy Spirit provide Jesus's Y chromosome? (Assuming Jesus was a typical male.) Would Jesus have been fully human if part of his DNA came from the Holy Spirit who is not human? What genes for eye color, hair color, and height did the Holy Spirit contribute to Jesus? This option is confusing and disturbing on many levels.
3. If the cells that would become Jesus just miraculously appeared in Mary's womb, Jesus would not have been her child at all. She would just have been a surrogate mother. Since there would have been no human egg or sperm, Jesus would not have been a human related to anyone on earth, but some kind of brand new person with unique genetics. Or maybe he wasn't human and didn't need all that microscopic stuff inside to determine his physical makeup. Maybe he was a kind of illusion performed by God.
Oh, wait! He was God. The God of the universe put himself inside a woman's womb for nine months, then acted like a regular human for another thirty years or so, and just let the rest of the world carry on by itself. Maybe that's why there were so many demons around by the time Jesus was grown. When the cat's away, the mice will play.
The obvious question is "How was Jesus concieved?" Matthew only tells us Mary was found with child by the Holy Spirit. Luke, however, tells us that the Holy Spirit will "overshadow" Mary. What does that mean? Did the Holy Spirit have sex with her? We are told in both books that Mary was a virgin when she concieved Jesus, and that she had not had sex with a man. I guess the Holy Spirit doesn't count.
Seriously, there are only three options here: 1. One of Mary's eggs was caused to spontaneously reproduce without sperm from the Holy Spirit. 2. The Holy Spirit had sperm. 3. The elementary cluster of cells that would become Jesus just miraculously poofed into existence, with the help of the Holy Spirit, but without Mary's egg. Let's look at each option.
1. If one of Mary's eggs spontaneously reproduced without any human sperm, Jesus would have been Mary's clone and a female. Most males have a Y chromosome which they get from their sperm donor father. It seems that this is out of the question.
2. If the Holy Spirit had sperm, how was it delivered? Does the Holy Spirit have other male apparatus? Sperm have genetic information provided by the human parent. The Holy Spirit is not human, does he have genes? Did the Holy Spirit provide Jesus's Y chromosome? (Assuming Jesus was a typical male.) Would Jesus have been fully human if part of his DNA came from the Holy Spirit who is not human? What genes for eye color, hair color, and height did the Holy Spirit contribute to Jesus? This option is confusing and disturbing on many levels.
3. If the cells that would become Jesus just miraculously appeared in Mary's womb, Jesus would not have been her child at all. She would just have been a surrogate mother. Since there would have been no human egg or sperm, Jesus would not have been a human related to anyone on earth, but some kind of brand new person with unique genetics. Or maybe he wasn't human and didn't need all that microscopic stuff inside to determine his physical makeup. Maybe he was a kind of illusion performed by God.
Oh, wait! He was God. The God of the universe put himself inside a woman's womb for nine months, then acted like a regular human for another thirty years or so, and just let the rest of the world carry on by itself. Maybe that's why there were so many demons around by the time Jesus was grown. When the cat's away, the mice will play.
The Nativity part 5- summary of Luke's story with comments.
Luke:
First we have two very similar stories. The angel Gabriel visits Zachariah; says,"do not be afraid;" tells him he will have a son; tells him what to name his son; tells him his son will be great; Zachariah questions this on physical grounds, the angel gives him a sign- muteness, no one else saw the angel, his wife says Yahewh has done this for her. (Technically, it was her husband.)
Then, the angel Gabriel visits Mary; he says," do not be afraid;" tells her she will have a son, tells her what to name her son, tells her that her son will be great, Mary questions this on physical grounds, the angel gives her a sign- Elizabeth's miraculous pregnancy, no one else saw the angel, Mary declares herself to be the lord's servant. Mary saying she was a servant may have been deliberate. A woman could have both a master and a husband, if she was a slave. The child would belong to the master, no matter who had fathered it. So, we have one very old barren woman, and one very young unwed woman, both pregnant. It must be a miracle, right? Unless someone lied, stretched the truth, or made up the stories.
Next, Mary goes to the hill country of Judea all the way from Nazareth, to visit Elizabeth, at least a several days journey on foot. Alone? Not likely. To put it bluntly, she might not have remained a virgin if she travelled alone. When she gets to Elizabeth's house, Elizabeth's baby leapt in her womb when Mary greeted her. Is it unusual for a six month old fetus to be very active inside his mother? No. Nevertheless, this was seen as a sign that what was predicted was true. Then Mary breaks out in song/poetry, praising God. Mary stays for three months, presumably till the birth of John. Baby John is born and circumcised on the eighth day. Then Zachariah beaks out in song/poetry praising God.
Now, supposedly Mary had returned home to Nazareth and we have what feels like another story, starting in chapter two. It takes place during the census of Quirinius, which was 6 C.E. Joseph had to go to Bethlehem to register for the census because he belonged to the line of David, which the Romans would not have cared about. Plus, the Census takers travelled to where the people were, not the other way around. The story does not say at what point in Mary's pregnancy they were supposed to have travelled, but it would be incredible to think of a woman making an eighty mile trip on foot or the back of a donkey, at nine months pregnant. Only a man would think such a thing was reasonable. Anyway, the baby was born, and placed in a manger,because there was no room in the inn. Some christian scholars think "inn" should say " upper room." I think it doesn't really matter, if the likelihood that it actually happened is slim.
Then we have shepherds in the fields at night which tells us it probably wasn't winter. They saw angels who told them about Jesus and praised God. The shepherds left the sheep that were in their care to go find Jesus who they were told was the christ. After they found the baby, they went back to their sheep. On the eighth day Jesus was circumcised, after the fortieth day he was taken to the temple to be presented as a first born son. Then his parents had encounters with Simeon and Anna, who seemed to have expected him.
In this story we have no Magi, no star, no Massacre of the innocents, and no trip to Egypt.
Edited.
First we have two very similar stories. The angel Gabriel visits Zachariah; says,"do not be afraid;" tells him he will have a son; tells him what to name his son; tells him his son will be great; Zachariah questions this on physical grounds, the angel gives him a sign- muteness, no one else saw the angel, his wife says Yahewh has done this for her. (Technically, it was her husband.)
Then, the angel Gabriel visits Mary; he says," do not be afraid;" tells her she will have a son, tells her what to name her son, tells her that her son will be great, Mary questions this on physical grounds, the angel gives her a sign- Elizabeth's miraculous pregnancy, no one else saw the angel, Mary declares herself to be the lord's servant. Mary saying she was a servant may have been deliberate. A woman could have both a master and a husband, if she was a slave. The child would belong to the master, no matter who had fathered it. So, we have one very old barren woman, and one very young unwed woman, both pregnant. It must be a miracle, right? Unless someone lied, stretched the truth, or made up the stories.
Next, Mary goes to the hill country of Judea all the way from Nazareth, to visit Elizabeth, at least a several days journey on foot. Alone? Not likely. To put it bluntly, she might not have remained a virgin if she travelled alone. When she gets to Elizabeth's house, Elizabeth's baby leapt in her womb when Mary greeted her. Is it unusual for a six month old fetus to be very active inside his mother? No. Nevertheless, this was seen as a sign that what was predicted was true. Then Mary breaks out in song/poetry, praising God. Mary stays for three months, presumably till the birth of John. Baby John is born and circumcised on the eighth day. Then Zachariah beaks out in song/poetry praising God.
Now, supposedly Mary had returned home to Nazareth and we have what feels like another story, starting in chapter two. It takes place during the census of Quirinius, which was 6 C.E. Joseph had to go to Bethlehem to register for the census because he belonged to the line of David, which the Romans would not have cared about. Plus, the Census takers travelled to where the people were, not the other way around. The story does not say at what point in Mary's pregnancy they were supposed to have travelled, but it would be incredible to think of a woman making an eighty mile trip on foot or the back of a donkey, at nine months pregnant. Only a man would think such a thing was reasonable. Anyway, the baby was born, and placed in a manger,because there was no room in the inn. Some christian scholars think "inn" should say " upper room." I think it doesn't really matter, if the likelihood that it actually happened is slim.
Then we have shepherds in the fields at night which tells us it probably wasn't winter. They saw angels who told them about Jesus and praised God. The shepherds left the sheep that were in their care to go find Jesus who they were told was the christ. After they found the baby, they went back to their sheep. On the eighth day Jesus was circumcised, after the fortieth day he was taken to the temple to be presented as a first born son. Then his parents had encounters with Simeon and Anna, who seemed to have expected him.
In this story we have no Magi, no star, no Massacre of the innocents, and no trip to Egypt.
Edited.
Saturday, December 19, 2015
The Nativity part 4- summary of Matthew with comments.
Matthew:
Joseph discovers his fiancée is pregnant with someone else's child and decides to break off the engagement without a fuss. Then he has a dream (he would be the only one who would know the actual content of his dreams. No witnesses.)of an angel telling him the father of the baby is the Holy Spirit and he should marry Mary anyway. The angel supposedly told him to name the baby Jesus. Joseph married Mary, but they didn't sleep together till after the baby was born. (We are told this to assure us the child was not Joseph's, but who knows what goes on behind closed doors. )
Jesus was born in Bethlehem during the reign of Herod. During that time, some magi from the east went to Herod and asked him where they could find the king of the Jews. They saw his star* and wanted to worship him. (These are Zoroastrians, not Yahweh worshippers, yet they are taken seriously by Jews?) Herod was troubled by this question and asked the religious leaders where the christ was supposed to be born. They said Bethlehem. Herod told the magi and asked them to report back if they found him. Luckily, the star was going in that direction, so they followed it to the house where Jesus and his mother were. They worshipped Jesus and gave him gifts of gold incense and myrrh. They went home, instead of reporting back to Herod, because they had been warned in a dream.
Joseph has another dream of an angel, telling him to go to Egypt, because Herod was going to try to find and kill Jesus. Herod gave orders for all the baby boys, in and around Bethlehem to be killed. (There is no historical record of this.) After Herod died, Joseph had another dream telling him to take Mary and Jesus back to Israel. When they got there and heard Herod's son was ruling in Judea, where they had come from, they were afraid. Another dream told him to go live in Nazareth of Galilee. (Those dreams were very helpful.)
What do we not find in this story:
-Zachariah, Elizabeth and the birth of John
-Mary being visited by Gabriel
-Mary visiting Elizabeth
-Mary speaking/ singing
-Mary and Joseph being previous residents of Nazareth
-A census and Quirinius as governor (He replaced Herod's son)
-A manger
-Shepherds with Angels
-The circumcision of Jesus and the presentation of him at at the temple
-Simeon and Anna
-Anything supported by the contemporary history of that time, except place names, Herod, and his son.
*The people of that time made a habit of studying the stars and keeping records of unusual things in the sky. There is no historical record of such a star appearing in the time frame required. Plus, stars are so far away, no one could tell if one was directly over a particular house, and they don't stop, start, and move freely.
Edited.
Joseph discovers his fiancée is pregnant with someone else's child and decides to break off the engagement without a fuss. Then he has a dream (he would be the only one who would know the actual content of his dreams. No witnesses.)of an angel telling him the father of the baby is the Holy Spirit and he should marry Mary anyway. The angel supposedly told him to name the baby Jesus. Joseph married Mary, but they didn't sleep together till after the baby was born. (We are told this to assure us the child was not Joseph's, but who knows what goes on behind closed doors. )
Jesus was born in Bethlehem during the reign of Herod. During that time, some magi from the east went to Herod and asked him where they could find the king of the Jews. They saw his star* and wanted to worship him. (These are Zoroastrians, not Yahweh worshippers, yet they are taken seriously by Jews?) Herod was troubled by this question and asked the religious leaders where the christ was supposed to be born. They said Bethlehem. Herod told the magi and asked them to report back if they found him. Luckily, the star was going in that direction, so they followed it to the house where Jesus and his mother were. They worshipped Jesus and gave him gifts of gold incense and myrrh. They went home, instead of reporting back to Herod, because they had been warned in a dream.
Joseph has another dream of an angel, telling him to go to Egypt, because Herod was going to try to find and kill Jesus. Herod gave orders for all the baby boys, in and around Bethlehem to be killed. (There is no historical record of this.) After Herod died, Joseph had another dream telling him to take Mary and Jesus back to Israel. When they got there and heard Herod's son was ruling in Judea, where they had come from, they were afraid. Another dream told him to go live in Nazareth of Galilee. (Those dreams were very helpful.)
What do we not find in this story:
-Zachariah, Elizabeth and the birth of John
-Mary being visited by Gabriel
-Mary visiting Elizabeth
-Mary speaking/ singing
-Mary and Joseph being previous residents of Nazareth
-A census and Quirinius as governor (He replaced Herod's son)
-A manger
-Shepherds with Angels
-The circumcision of Jesus and the presentation of him at at the temple
-Simeon and Anna
-Anything supported by the contemporary history of that time, except place names, Herod, and his son.
*The people of that time made a habit of studying the stars and keeping records of unusual things in the sky. There is no historical record of such a star appearing in the time frame required. Plus, stars are so far away, no one could tell if one was directly over a particular house, and they don't stop, start, and move freely.
Edited.
The Nativity part 3- the main characters
In order of appearance:
Matthew-
*Joseph- son of Jacob, the 39th generation descendant of Abraham through David, a righteous man, saw an angel in his dreams.
*Mary- virgin, pledged to marry Joseph, found to be with child through the Holy Spirit, gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem.
*Jesus-Son of Mary and the Holy Spirit, 40th generation from Abraham though not related, born in Bethlehem, prophesy said he was to be called Immanuel but he was named Jesus.
*An angel of the lord-unknown name, appears to Joseph in dreams, does not appear to anyone else.
*King Herod-worried about his position as King of the Jews, murdered children.
*Magi- from the east, possibly Zoroastrian astrologers, found Jesus in a house and gave him presents, outsmarted Herod.
*The chief priests and teachers of the law-Jews that Herod consulted about the Christ.
Luke-
*King Herod- King of Judea, no other info.
*Zachariah- a priest of the division of Abijah, upright, blameless, father of John, prophesied his son would be a prophet.
*Elizabeth- older cousin of Mary, mother of John, lives in a Judean hill country town, possibly Bethlehem, upright, blameless.
*An angel of the lord (Gabriel)-appears in person to Zachariah in the temple and to Mary in Nazareth, to announce that each of them would have a son and foretold the greatness of John and Jesus,told Mary to name her child Jesus, brought news of Jesus's birth to shepherds.
*Joseph-from Nazareth, a descendant of David, son of Heli (3:23), 55 generations from Abraham, 85 generations from Adam.
*Mary-lives in Nazareth, a virgin, pledged to marry Joseph, "overshadowed" by the Holy Spirit which caused her to be pregnant, sang a poetic/ prophetic song.
*John (the baptist)- son of Zachariah and Elizabeth, circumcised on the eighth day, his father's prophesy said he would become a prophet.
*Caesar Augustus- emperor of Rome, issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire roman world.
*Quirinius- governor of Syria during the census.
*Jesus- conceived by the Holy Spirit, born in Bethlehem, slept in a manger, circumcised on the eighth day, Gabriel prophesied he would be called the son of the most high and would reign on the throne of David, his kingdom would never end, 56 generations from Abraham, 86 generations from Adam.
*Shepherds-living in the fields watching their flocks, given a message by an angel, saw more Angels praising God, saw Jesus in the manger.
*More Angels- praised God.
*Simeon-righteous, devout, told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he saw the christ, saw Jesus and prophesied about Him.
*Anna- prophetess, daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher, eighty for year old widow, lived in the temple fasting and praying, saw Jesus and prophesied about him.
We can see that beside Joseph, Mary, Jesus, and an angel, Matthew and Luke have a completely different cast of characters. Plus, some details about the core characters differ.
Matthew-
*Joseph- son of Jacob, the 39th generation descendant of Abraham through David, a righteous man, saw an angel in his dreams.
*Mary- virgin, pledged to marry Joseph, found to be with child through the Holy Spirit, gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem.
*Jesus-Son of Mary and the Holy Spirit, 40th generation from Abraham though not related, born in Bethlehem, prophesy said he was to be called Immanuel but he was named Jesus.
*An angel of the lord-unknown name, appears to Joseph in dreams, does not appear to anyone else.
*King Herod-worried about his position as King of the Jews, murdered children.
*Magi- from the east, possibly Zoroastrian astrologers, found Jesus in a house and gave him presents, outsmarted Herod.
*The chief priests and teachers of the law-Jews that Herod consulted about the Christ.
Luke-
*King Herod- King of Judea, no other info.
*Zachariah- a priest of the division of Abijah, upright, blameless, father of John, prophesied his son would be a prophet.
*Elizabeth- older cousin of Mary, mother of John, lives in a Judean hill country town, possibly Bethlehem, upright, blameless.
*An angel of the lord (Gabriel)-appears in person to Zachariah in the temple and to Mary in Nazareth, to announce that each of them would have a son and foretold the greatness of John and Jesus,told Mary to name her child Jesus, brought news of Jesus's birth to shepherds.
*Joseph-from Nazareth, a descendant of David, son of Heli (3:23), 55 generations from Abraham, 85 generations from Adam.
*Mary-lives in Nazareth, a virgin, pledged to marry Joseph, "overshadowed" by the Holy Spirit which caused her to be pregnant, sang a poetic/ prophetic song.
*John (the baptist)- son of Zachariah and Elizabeth, circumcised on the eighth day, his father's prophesy said he would become a prophet.
*Caesar Augustus- emperor of Rome, issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire roman world.
*Quirinius- governor of Syria during the census.
*Jesus- conceived by the Holy Spirit, born in Bethlehem, slept in a manger, circumcised on the eighth day, Gabriel prophesied he would be called the son of the most high and would reign on the throne of David, his kingdom would never end, 56 generations from Abraham, 86 generations from Adam.
*Shepherds-living in the fields watching their flocks, given a message by an angel, saw more Angels praising God, saw Jesus in the manger.
*More Angels- praised God.
*Simeon-righteous, devout, told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he saw the christ, saw Jesus and prophesied about Him.
*Anna- prophetess, daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher, eighty for year old widow, lived in the temple fasting and praying, saw Jesus and prophesied about him.
We can see that beside Joseph, Mary, Jesus, and an angel, Matthew and Luke have a completely different cast of characters. Plus, some details about the core characters differ.
Friday, December 18, 2015
The Nativity part 2- the setting
Question: When did the birth of Jesus take place?
Answer: It depends which story you are reading. Matthew says " during the time of King Herod." This Herod died approximately 4 B.C.E., so Jesus must have been born before then. According to the text, the baby could have been as much as two years old by the time Herod found out about him. ( chapter 2:16) This would mean Jesus could have been born around 6 B.C.E. Or even a year or two earlier. The text says Joseph and Mary took the child to Egypt and stayed there till Herod died. (2:14) We are not told how long that was.
The book of Luke starts off with the pregnancy of Mary's cousin Elizabeth,"In the time of King Herod." ( chapter 1:5) Six months later, Mary is pregnant with Jesus. (1:26). So far, so good. However, when we get to Jesus's birth, we are told it was when " Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria." (2:1-3)
A problem arises because the historical records clearly show that Quirinius was not governor of Syria till 6 C.E., which is also when he began the census of the province of Judea. There was no Census of the entire Roman world at that time. Augustus taxed the citizens of Rome and the provinces in different ways. This would place Jesus's birth a decade after the death of Herod, who was supposedly alive when Jesus was conceived. Matthew's story does not mention Quirinius or a census.
Question: Where does the birth story take place?
Answer: Matthew's tale begins with the birth in Bethlehem of Judea, supposedly to fulfill Micah 5:2., which is a cryptic prophecy of a future ruler of Israel, similar to David. Then Jesus is taken to Egypt, supposedly to fulfill " Out of Egypt I have called my son." (Hosea 11:1) which is is merely a reference to the Exodus. After that, Jesus's family supposedly settles in Nazareth of Galilee to fulfill "he will be called a Nazarene," which is not an Old Testament prophecy at all. Plus, there is some question about whether a person living in Nazareth was called a Nazarene. Matthew does not mention travel to Bethlehem from Galilee with or without a 9 months pregnant Mary on a donkey. There is no mention of registering for a census, a barn or stable, or a trip to Jerusalem to be consecrated.
Luke's story begins with Mary being visited by Gabriel in Nazareth of Galilee. Mary then goes to a town in the hill country of Judea, where her cousin Elizabeth lived. Interestingly, Bethlehem was a town in the hill country of Judea. Mary stays three months, then returns home. Then Joseph also goes from Nazareth to Judea to register for the census with Mary, supposedly because he was from the house of David, but the Romans would not have cared who his jewish ancestors were. After Jesus's birth he was put to bed in a manger, but the text does not say he was born in a barn or stable. At least forty days after his birth, when Mary was ceremonially clean, Jesus was taken to the temple in Jerusalem to be consecrated to the lord. After that Joseph and Mary returned to Nazareth in Galilee. No mention is made of any side trip to Egypt or any prophecies.
Edited.
Answer: It depends which story you are reading. Matthew says " during the time of King Herod." This Herod died approximately 4 B.C.E., so Jesus must have been born before then. According to the text, the baby could have been as much as two years old by the time Herod found out about him. ( chapter 2:16) This would mean Jesus could have been born around 6 B.C.E. Or even a year or two earlier. The text says Joseph and Mary took the child to Egypt and stayed there till Herod died. (2:14) We are not told how long that was.
The book of Luke starts off with the pregnancy of Mary's cousin Elizabeth,"In the time of King Herod." ( chapter 1:5) Six months later, Mary is pregnant with Jesus. (1:26). So far, so good. However, when we get to Jesus's birth, we are told it was when " Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria." (2:1-3)
A problem arises because the historical records clearly show that Quirinius was not governor of Syria till 6 C.E., which is also when he began the census of the province of Judea. There was no Census of the entire Roman world at that time. Augustus taxed the citizens of Rome and the provinces in different ways. This would place Jesus's birth a decade after the death of Herod, who was supposedly alive when Jesus was conceived. Matthew's story does not mention Quirinius or a census.
Question: Where does the birth story take place?
Answer: Matthew's tale begins with the birth in Bethlehem of Judea, supposedly to fulfill Micah 5:2., which is a cryptic prophecy of a future ruler of Israel, similar to David. Then Jesus is taken to Egypt, supposedly to fulfill " Out of Egypt I have called my son." (Hosea 11:1) which is is merely a reference to the Exodus. After that, Jesus's family supposedly settles in Nazareth of Galilee to fulfill "he will be called a Nazarene," which is not an Old Testament prophecy at all. Plus, there is some question about whether a person living in Nazareth was called a Nazarene. Matthew does not mention travel to Bethlehem from Galilee with or without a 9 months pregnant Mary on a donkey. There is no mention of registering for a census, a barn or stable, or a trip to Jerusalem to be consecrated.
Luke's story begins with Mary being visited by Gabriel in Nazareth of Galilee. Mary then goes to a town in the hill country of Judea, where her cousin Elizabeth lived. Interestingly, Bethlehem was a town in the hill country of Judea. Mary stays three months, then returns home. Then Joseph also goes from Nazareth to Judea to register for the census with Mary, supposedly because he was from the house of David, but the Romans would not have cared who his jewish ancestors were. After Jesus's birth he was put to bed in a manger, but the text does not say he was born in a barn or stable. At least forty days after his birth, when Mary was ceremonially clean, Jesus was taken to the temple in Jerusalem to be consecrated to the lord. After that Joseph and Mary returned to Nazareth in Galilee. No mention is made of any side trip to Egypt or any prophecies.
Edited.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
The Nativity part 1- the authors
The Nativity
The purpose of the next few articles will be to establish what can and can't be known about the birth of Jesus, by asking a series of simple questions that have fairly simple answers.
First, we will ask,"Where can we find reliable extrabiblical historical information about the birth of a first century male named Jesus who corresponds to the Jesus in the bible?"
Answer: nowhere. There is absolutely no known mention of his birth in the historical record outside the bible, contemporary with that time period.
Question: Where are the circumstances of his birth clearly recorded in the bible? (This does not include supposed prophesies.)
Answer: Only in two books, Matthew and Luke.
Question: Who wrote the books of Matthew and Luke?
Answer: No one knows. The authors are anonymous. The text makes no claim about their identity.
Question: Could either of the authors have been an eye witness to the events?
Answer: Not a chance. Not only do they not claim to have been there, Matthew and Luke would have been mere children themselves, or not even born yet, if they ever existed in the first place. This means we are getting Matthew's story second or third hand at best. In the case of the book of Luke, it would be third hand at the very least, and that's being generous.
Question: Do Matthew or Luke reveal the sources of their information?
Answer: No.
Question: When was the book of Matthew written?
Answer: Most scholars think it falls within 70-110 C.E. We will see that this means it was not written till at least 64-74years after the events supposedly took place, depending on which version you read. Plus it could have been written as much as 115 years after the events.
Question: When was the book of Luke written?
Answer: The probable dates are between 80-100 C.E. Time spans similar to the book of Matthew, between events and writing, apply.
Question: Do Matthew and Luke tell the same story?
Answer: (spoiler) NO. The stories are about the same three people, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, but we will see that they differ in most of the details.
Question: Are Matthew and Luke reliable sources for the birth of Jesus?
Answer: You tell me. In today's world, would you accept a story of a virgin birth told third hand by an anonymous person, from an unknown original source, with no outside corroboration?
Question: Are there any extrabiblical accounts of the nativity?
Answer: There are some apocryphal gospels that contain accounts of Jesus birth, but they are usually considered unreliable, even by christians.
Edited.
The purpose of the next few articles will be to establish what can and can't be known about the birth of Jesus, by asking a series of simple questions that have fairly simple answers.
First, we will ask,"Where can we find reliable extrabiblical historical information about the birth of a first century male named Jesus who corresponds to the Jesus in the bible?"
Answer: nowhere. There is absolutely no known mention of his birth in the historical record outside the bible, contemporary with that time period.
Question: Where are the circumstances of his birth clearly recorded in the bible? (This does not include supposed prophesies.)
Answer: Only in two books, Matthew and Luke.
Question: Who wrote the books of Matthew and Luke?
Answer: No one knows. The authors are anonymous. The text makes no claim about their identity.
Question: Could either of the authors have been an eye witness to the events?
Answer: Not a chance. Not only do they not claim to have been there, Matthew and Luke would have been mere children themselves, or not even born yet, if they ever existed in the first place. This means we are getting Matthew's story second or third hand at best. In the case of the book of Luke, it would be third hand at the very least, and that's being generous.
Question: Do Matthew or Luke reveal the sources of their information?
Answer: No.
Question: When was the book of Matthew written?
Answer: Most scholars think it falls within 70-110 C.E. We will see that this means it was not written till at least 64-74years after the events supposedly took place, depending on which version you read. Plus it could have been written as much as 115 years after the events.
Question: When was the book of Luke written?
Answer: The probable dates are between 80-100 C.E. Time spans similar to the book of Matthew, between events and writing, apply.
Question: Do Matthew and Luke tell the same story?
Answer: (spoiler) NO. The stories are about the same three people, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, but we will see that they differ in most of the details.
Question: Are Matthew and Luke reliable sources for the birth of Jesus?
Answer: You tell me. In today's world, would you accept a story of a virgin birth told third hand by an anonymous person, from an unknown original source, with no outside corroboration?
Question: Are there any extrabiblical accounts of the nativity?
Answer: There are some apocryphal gospels that contain accounts of Jesus birth, but they are usually considered unreliable, even by christians.
Edited.
Numbers wrap up
*In this book we learn nothing about heaven, hell, Angels, demons, the devil, life after death, or promise of a spiritual savior.
*We are told the Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years, but are almost told nothing about those intervening years, except the names of the camp sites. They supposedly moved an average of once a year. During that time, every adult who had been over twenty when the Israelites came out of Egypt died, except for Caleb and Joshua. Moses also hasn't died yet. Miriam and Aaron have.
*According to the numbers supposedly recorded, the number of fighting men in the group has only decreased by about a thousand over the forty years.The balance of the population of each tribe has shifted. The tribe of Levites remains small. The tribe of Judah Is the largest tribe. There are still well over a million Israelites travellling together, along with their substantial flocks and herds.
*The Levites are not required to fight. They have special duties and privileges that pretty much guarantee they are the wealthiest and best fed tribe in the group.
*There were a couple of protests and departures from absolute obedience to Yahweh that were dealt with swiftly and violently, usually by Yahweh or a priest.
*Speaking of herds of animals, apparently they were able to have enough water and food to maintain large flocks, in spite of claims that they themselves were starving and thirsty.
*Not one single event or individual mentioned in the Book of Numbers is corroborated in the current archaeological record. Many place names can be found, many more can not. To convict someone of murder you need the testimony of at least two eyewitnesses. To accept that the book of Numbers is the "word of God" you only need faith. The book does not say it was written by Moses or that it is the word of God.
We will move on to Deuteronomy after the 1st of January. Until then we will take a look at the birth of Jesus.
Edited.
*We are told the Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years, but are almost told nothing about those intervening years, except the names of the camp sites. They supposedly moved an average of once a year. During that time, every adult who had been over twenty when the Israelites came out of Egypt died, except for Caleb and Joshua. Moses also hasn't died yet. Miriam and Aaron have.
*According to the numbers supposedly recorded, the number of fighting men in the group has only decreased by about a thousand over the forty years.The balance of the population of each tribe has shifted. The tribe of Levites remains small. The tribe of Judah Is the largest tribe. There are still well over a million Israelites travellling together, along with their substantial flocks and herds.
*The Levites are not required to fight. They have special duties and privileges that pretty much guarantee they are the wealthiest and best fed tribe in the group.
*There were a couple of protests and departures from absolute obedience to Yahweh that were dealt with swiftly and violently, usually by Yahweh or a priest.
*Speaking of herds of animals, apparently they were able to have enough water and food to maintain large flocks, in spite of claims that they themselves were starving and thirsty.
*Not one single event or individual mentioned in the Book of Numbers is corroborated in the current archaeological record. Many place names can be found, many more can not. To convict someone of murder you need the testimony of at least two eyewitnesses. To accept that the book of Numbers is the "word of God" you only need faith. The book does not say it was written by Moses or that it is the word of God.
We will move on to Deuteronomy after the 1st of January. Until then we will take a look at the birth of Jesus.
Edited.
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Numbers chapter 36
After reading Numbers chapter 36:
*Now we have arrived at the end of the book of Numbers. What wisdom do we find imparted here?
The inheritance of Zelophehad's daughters is at stake again. Their relatives are concerned that if the daughters marry men from other tribes, those tribes will get the ancestral wealth and property that the women bring, and their tribe of origin would lose out. So the previous instructions about the daughters' inheritance are revised and clarified. What Yahweh meant to say all along was they got to keep their inheritance as long as they married within their family tribe. The same goes for every other
Israelite woman. No inheritance in Israel is to pass from one tribe to another. So Zelophehad's daughters married their cousins.
The end.
*Now we have arrived at the end of the book of Numbers. What wisdom do we find imparted here?
The inheritance of Zelophehad's daughters is at stake again. Their relatives are concerned that if the daughters marry men from other tribes, those tribes will get the ancestral wealth and property that the women bring, and their tribe of origin would lose out. So the previous instructions about the daughters' inheritance are revised and clarified. What Yahweh meant to say all along was they got to keep their inheritance as long as they married within their family tribe. The same goes for every other
Israelite woman. No inheritance in Israel is to pass from one tribe to another. So Zelophehad's daughters married their cousins.
The end.
Numbers chapter 35
After reading chapter 35:
*Now, Yahweh tells Moses to tell the Israelites that the Levites must be given their own towns in the promised land. They also get the surrounding land, 3,000 feet on each side of the town, for pasture. The Levites are to be given 48 towns in all. Six of them are to be cities of refuge, three on the east side of the Jordan, three on the west. The cities of refuge are places for Israelites and "foreigners" to hide in when they have accidentally killed someone and are waiting for trial. Otherwise, "the avenger" of the death may not let them live that long.
*At trial, a death is considered murder when it is caused by a blow with an iron object, a stone (except in the case of stoning ordered by God or the priests, of course.) or a lethal piece of wood. If the cause of death is shoving someone with malice a forethought, throwing something at a person with intent to harm, or hitting with fists, that is murder. Those who murder are to be put to death by "the avenger of blood" whenever he meets them.
*Suddenly shoving someone, unintentionally throwing something at someone, accidentally dropping a stone on someone, all done without hostility to a non- enemy are not considered murder. However that person is still in danger from the "avenger of blood", so the community must protect him by sending him back to the city of refuge in which he had been waiting before the trial. He has to stay there until the death of the current high priest. But if he leaves the city of refuge before the proper time, and the avenger finds him, he's toast. The avenger will not be guilty of murder if he kills the person, even if the person had been judged not guilty by the assembly. So, who is this avenger? Probably the nearest male relative. These are basically honor killings.
*In order for the assembly to judge someone a murderer, there must be at least two witnesses to the event. No one is to be put to death on the testimony of one witness. The murderer cannot be bought out of his death sentence. Even the person judged not guilty cannot be bought out of his term spent in the city of refuge before the death of the high priest. We also learn that bloodshed pollutes the land, and the only way to make the land happy again is to kill the person who did the killing, more bloodshed, go figure.
*So, use poison and don't let anyone see you. (You do realize this is a joke, right?)
*Now, Yahweh tells Moses to tell the Israelites that the Levites must be given their own towns in the promised land. They also get the surrounding land, 3,000 feet on each side of the town, for pasture. The Levites are to be given 48 towns in all. Six of them are to be cities of refuge, three on the east side of the Jordan, three on the west. The cities of refuge are places for Israelites and "foreigners" to hide in when they have accidentally killed someone and are waiting for trial. Otherwise, "the avenger" of the death may not let them live that long.
*At trial, a death is considered murder when it is caused by a blow with an iron object, a stone (except in the case of stoning ordered by God or the priests, of course.) or a lethal piece of wood. If the cause of death is shoving someone with malice a forethought, throwing something at a person with intent to harm, or hitting with fists, that is murder. Those who murder are to be put to death by "the avenger of blood" whenever he meets them.
*Suddenly shoving someone, unintentionally throwing something at someone, accidentally dropping a stone on someone, all done without hostility to a non- enemy are not considered murder. However that person is still in danger from the "avenger of blood", so the community must protect him by sending him back to the city of refuge in which he had been waiting before the trial. He has to stay there until the death of the current high priest. But if he leaves the city of refuge before the proper time, and the avenger finds him, he's toast. The avenger will not be guilty of murder if he kills the person, even if the person had been judged not guilty by the assembly. So, who is this avenger? Probably the nearest male relative. These are basically honor killings.
*In order for the assembly to judge someone a murderer, there must be at least two witnesses to the event. No one is to be put to death on the testimony of one witness. The murderer cannot be bought out of his death sentence. Even the person judged not guilty cannot be bought out of his term spent in the city of refuge before the death of the high priest. We also learn that bloodshed pollutes the land, and the only way to make the land happy again is to kill the person who did the killing, more bloodshed, go figure.
*So, use poison and don't let anyone see you. (You do realize this is a joke, right?)
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Numbers chapter 34
After reading chapter 34:
*This chapter delineates the borders of the land Yahweh is giving the Israelites. The wikipedia article on the promised land has maps that show where these borders would have been. Notice that the area of the promised land differs from that which yahweh promised to Abraham's descendants at the end of Genesis chater 15. There, the the northern border was the Euphrates and the southern border "the river of Egypt."
*After that, Moses says this land will be divided up among the remaining nine and a half tribes, after the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh get the land they requested on the east side of the Jordan. A leader was to be chosen from each of the nine and a half tribes, for the purpose of portioning out the "inheritance" of the Israelites.
*This chapter delineates the borders of the land Yahweh is giving the Israelites. The wikipedia article on the promised land has maps that show where these borders would have been. Notice that the area of the promised land differs from that which yahweh promised to Abraham's descendants at the end of Genesis chater 15. There, the the northern border was the Euphrates and the southern border "the river of Egypt."
*After that, Moses says this land will be divided up among the remaining nine and a half tribes, after the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh get the land they requested on the east side of the Jordan. A leader was to be chosen from each of the nine and a half tribes, for the purpose of portioning out the "inheritance" of the Israelites.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Numbers chapter 33
After reading chapter 33:
*The first part of the chapter is a record of all the travels and stops the Israelites made over the forty years of wandering. There were supposedly 42 separate camp sites, none of which left any evidence of well over a million people for modern archaeologists to find.
*In the second part, Yahweh tells Moses to tell the Israelites that when they cross the Jordan into canaan they are to destroy all the Canaanite idols, of stone and metal. They are to also destroy any "high places" which were usually hilltop temples or places of sacrifice. They were to take over the land after it was divvied up by tribe and doled out to individual families by the casting of lots.
Then God says that if the Israelites do not drive the current inhabitants out of the land, they will end up regretting it. Not only will the people be an irritant, but God will do to the Israelites what he's been thinking of doing to the Canaanites, whatever that is.
*The first part of the chapter is a record of all the travels and stops the Israelites made over the forty years of wandering. There were supposedly 42 separate camp sites, none of which left any evidence of well over a million people for modern archaeologists to find.
*In the second part, Yahweh tells Moses to tell the Israelites that when they cross the Jordan into canaan they are to destroy all the Canaanite idols, of stone and metal. They are to also destroy any "high places" which were usually hilltop temples or places of sacrifice. They were to take over the land after it was divvied up by tribe and doled out to individual families by the casting of lots.
Then God says that if the Israelites do not drive the current inhabitants out of the land, they will end up regretting it. Not only will the people be an irritant, but God will do to the Israelites what he's been thinking of doing to the Canaanites, whatever that is.
Numbers chapter 32
After reading chapter 32:
*While the Israelites were still on the east side of the Jordan River, the Reubenites and Gadites went to Moses and asked to be able to settle on that side, in the lands of Jazer and Gilead, instead of in canaan. They liked that land because it had enough space and food for their large herds of animals.
*After an initial protest, some insults and veiled threats, and some bargaining, Moses agreed , on condition that their fighting men still help the rest of the Israelites conquer the Canaanites. Plus, if they didn't help, they would be sorry. The Ruebenites and Gadites consented. Moses gave them the land, as though it was his to give. They built many "cities" which are named in the text.
*While the Israelites were still on the east side of the Jordan River, the Reubenites and Gadites went to Moses and asked to be able to settle on that side, in the lands of Jazer and Gilead, instead of in canaan. They liked that land because it had enough space and food for their large herds of animals.
*After an initial protest, some insults and veiled threats, and some bargaining, Moses agreed , on condition that their fighting men still help the rest of the Israelites conquer the Canaanites. Plus, if they didn't help, they would be sorry. The Ruebenites and Gadites consented. Moses gave them the land, as though it was his to give. They built many "cities" which are named in the text.
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Numbers chapter 31
After reading chapter 31:
*After a brief intermission, laying down some religious and social rules, Yahweh tells Moses to take vengeance on the Midianites, who used to be Moabites, presumably for the crime of inviting them to other god's BBQs and showing the men a good time. So, 12,000 men, 1,000 from each tribe, were sent into battle, along with Phineas, the son of the high priest, the same guy who had run a spear through the Midianite woman and Israeli man. They fought against Midian and killed every man, including Balaam, the guy with the talking donkey.
*The Israelite army burned the Midianite towns and camps, after they plundered them. They took their spoils, including the women and children , back to the Israelite camp. Moses was upset, because it was the Midianite/Moabite women who had enticed the Israelite men. He ordered all the sexually active women killed. The reason given for this was that they were following Balaam's advice on how to turn the Israelites away from Yahweh. This is very strange because chapters 22-24 clearly show Balaam speaking on behalf of Yahweh and the Israelites, and blessing them. There is no mention of him giving any advice for turning the Israelites away from Yahweh.
*Moses also ordered the killing of all the boys, but gives no reason. Then, he says the Israelite army can save all the virgin girls for themselves, we can guess the reason. The fighting men who had killed, and the captive virgins, were to remain outside the camp for seven days, to be "purified." The thought of this makes my blood run cold. All metals, were to be passed through a fire and washed with holy water, for cleansing. Everything that couldn't be passed through a fire was just to be washed with the water of cleansing.
*Next, Yahweh told Moses to count all the people ( the girls) and the animals that were captured and divide up the spoils. Half for the fighting men, half for the rest of the community. From the soldier's share, one out of every 500, of the girls, cattle, sheep, goats, and donkeys was to be given to the priests, um, the lord. From the community share, one out of every 50. We are given the numbers for each of the kinds of animals and the virgins, because this is the book of numbers after all. There were 32,000 females divvied up that day.
*After the distribution of the spoils, the commanders of the army told Moses that not a single fighting man had been lost. Incredible. They also had gold to give to the priests, um, the lord. Of course Moses and the priests accepted the gold on Yahweh's behalf, and the soldiers had some left over for themselves, naturally.
*After a brief intermission, laying down some religious and social rules, Yahweh tells Moses to take vengeance on the Midianites, who used to be Moabites, presumably for the crime of inviting them to other god's BBQs and showing the men a good time. So, 12,000 men, 1,000 from each tribe, were sent into battle, along with Phineas, the son of the high priest, the same guy who had run a spear through the Midianite woman and Israeli man. They fought against Midian and killed every man, including Balaam, the guy with the talking donkey.
*The Israelite army burned the Midianite towns and camps, after they plundered them. They took their spoils, including the women and children , back to the Israelite camp. Moses was upset, because it was the Midianite/Moabite women who had enticed the Israelite men. He ordered all the sexually active women killed. The reason given for this was that they were following Balaam's advice on how to turn the Israelites away from Yahweh. This is very strange because chapters 22-24 clearly show Balaam speaking on behalf of Yahweh and the Israelites, and blessing them. There is no mention of him giving any advice for turning the Israelites away from Yahweh.
*Moses also ordered the killing of all the boys, but gives no reason. Then, he says the Israelite army can save all the virgin girls for themselves, we can guess the reason. The fighting men who had killed, and the captive virgins, were to remain outside the camp for seven days, to be "purified." The thought of this makes my blood run cold. All metals, were to be passed through a fire and washed with holy water, for cleansing. Everything that couldn't be passed through a fire was just to be washed with the water of cleansing.
*Next, Yahweh told Moses to count all the people ( the girls) and the animals that were captured and divide up the spoils. Half for the fighting men, half for the rest of the community. From the soldier's share, one out of every 500, of the girls, cattle, sheep, goats, and donkeys was to be given to the priests, um, the lord. From the community share, one out of every 50. We are given the numbers for each of the kinds of animals and the virgins, because this is the book of numbers after all. There were 32,000 females divvied up that day.
*After the distribution of the spoils, the commanders of the army told Moses that not a single fighting man had been lost. Incredible. They also had gold to give to the priests, um, the lord. Of course Moses and the priests accepted the gold on Yahweh's behalf, and the soldiers had some left over for themselves, naturally.
Friday, December 11, 2015
Numbers chapter 30
After reading chapter 30:
*This chapter is about vows to Yahweh, or pledges and obligations. A man who makes a vow must keep it completely. A woman who makes a vow must keep it, unless her husband or father forbids it at any time, then it becomes nullified. However, if he nullifies her vow some time after it has been made, he is responsible for her guilt, as if that actually means anything.
* You may ask why a husband or father would want to nullify a vow made by a woman. My guess is because it affects him personally. A woman could vow never to marry, or to refrain from sex if married. She might vow to give away personal possessions or money that the man has an interest in. She might also vow to spend all her days in prayer, not attending to household matters. Notice that a woman can not nullify a husband's vow, which is no surprise, considering it was a patriarchical society.
*This chapter is about vows to Yahweh, or pledges and obligations. A man who makes a vow must keep it completely. A woman who makes a vow must keep it, unless her husband or father forbids it at any time, then it becomes nullified. However, if he nullifies her vow some time after it has been made, he is responsible for her guilt, as if that actually means anything.
* You may ask why a husband or father would want to nullify a vow made by a woman. My guess is because it affects him personally. A woman could vow never to marry, or to refrain from sex if married. She might vow to give away personal possessions or money that the man has an interest in. She might also vow to spend all her days in prayer, not attending to household matters. Notice that a woman can not nullify a husband's vow, which is no surprise, considering it was a patriarchical society.
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Numbers chapter 28 and 29
After reading chapter 28 and 29
*Here we have a reiteration of the routine sacrifices and feast days, with instructions, that we saw in Leviticus. The bible is very fond of repetition, almost like it was really written as separate books and not one unified whole. There are daily sacrifices, sabbath sacrifices, monthly sacrifices, the passover, the feast of weeks, the feast of trumpets, the day of atonement, and the feast of tabernacles. We are again reminded that these are for Yahweh, even though he does not eat or drink and the priests get whatever is not burnt up. Because God just loves the smell of BBQ. Me too.
*Here we have a reiteration of the routine sacrifices and feast days, with instructions, that we saw in Leviticus. The bible is very fond of repetition, almost like it was really written as separate books and not one unified whole. There are daily sacrifices, sabbath sacrifices, monthly sacrifices, the passover, the feast of weeks, the feast of trumpets, the day of atonement, and the feast of tabernacles. We are again reminded that these are for Yahweh, even though he does not eat or drink and the priests get whatever is not burnt up. Because God just loves the smell of BBQ. Me too.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Numbers chapter 27
After reading chapter 27:
*The daughters of a man named Zelophehad went to the tabernacle and stood before Moses and the other leaders. They wanted their father's inheritance because their father had no sons. Moses asked Yahweh what to do and he said if a man has no sons, his daughters inherit. Then he laid out a plan of inheritance for someone who dies without direct (male) descendants.
*After that Yaweh tells Moses to go up on a mountain to look at the promised land, then he will die. Moses asked him to appoint a new leader first. God told Moses to choose Joshua and commission him in the presence of the priests and the assembly. Joshua was to obtain his decisions from Eleazar the priest, who would get them by asking the "Urim" which was an unidentified object used for divination, introduced in Exodus 28. So, Joshua was commissioned.
*The daughters of a man named Zelophehad went to the tabernacle and stood before Moses and the other leaders. They wanted their father's inheritance because their father had no sons. Moses asked Yahweh what to do and he said if a man has no sons, his daughters inherit. Then he laid out a plan of inheritance for someone who dies without direct (male) descendants.
*After that Yaweh tells Moses to go up on a mountain to look at the promised land, then he will die. Moses asked him to appoint a new leader first. God told Moses to choose Joshua and commission him in the presence of the priests and the assembly. Joshua was to obtain his decisions from Eleazar the priest, who would get them by asking the "Urim" which was an unidentified object used for divination, introduced in Exodus 28. So, Joshua was commissioned.
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Numbers chapter 26
After reading chapter 26
*This chapter contains the numbers of a second census of men twenty years and older who are able to serve in the army, taken after the plague in chapter 25. Remember, this is approximately 40 years after the first census. It does not include women, children, and Levites. The tribe of Rueben was down by 2,770. The tribe of Simeon was down by 27,100! The tribe of Gad was down by 5,150. The tribe of Judah was increased by 1,900. The tribe of Issachar increased by 9,900. The tribe of Zebulon increased by3,100. The tribe of Manasseh increased by 20,500! The tribe of Ephraim decreased by 12,000. The tribe of Benjamin increased by 10,200. The tribe of Dan increased by 1,700. The tribe of Asher increased by 11,900. The tribe of Naphtali decreased by 8,000.
*According to verse 51, there was a net loss of 1,820 fighting men. Not bad for 40 years in the wilderness. The above numbers were nice and even again. They were also very suggestive. The large number lost to the tribe of Simeon might be accounted for by the various punishments Yahweh meted out to those that were disobedient.
*Yahweh tells Moses that the promised land is to be portioned out according to the size of the tribe. The bigger the tribe, the more land. Within the tribes, the land was to be distributed by lot, essentially drawing straws. The largest tribe was Judah, of course.
*The Levites, males a month old or more, were counted last. They had increased by exactly 1,000. Amazing. Supposedly, not one of the current population of Israelites was of the group counted by Moses and Aaron, except Caleb and Joshua. (And Moses) Which would have to mean there were no men over the age of 60 at this time.
*This chapter contains the numbers of a second census of men twenty years and older who are able to serve in the army, taken after the plague in chapter 25. Remember, this is approximately 40 years after the first census. It does not include women, children, and Levites. The tribe of Rueben was down by 2,770. The tribe of Simeon was down by 27,100! The tribe of Gad was down by 5,150. The tribe of Judah was increased by 1,900. The tribe of Issachar increased by 9,900. The tribe of Zebulon increased by3,100. The tribe of Manasseh increased by 20,500! The tribe of Ephraim decreased by 12,000. The tribe of Benjamin increased by 10,200. The tribe of Dan increased by 1,700. The tribe of Asher increased by 11,900. The tribe of Naphtali decreased by 8,000.
*According to verse 51, there was a net loss of 1,820 fighting men. Not bad for 40 years in the wilderness. The above numbers were nice and even again. They were also very suggestive. The large number lost to the tribe of Simeon might be accounted for by the various punishments Yahweh meted out to those that were disobedient.
*Yahweh tells Moses that the promised land is to be portioned out according to the size of the tribe. The bigger the tribe, the more land. Within the tribes, the land was to be distributed by lot, essentially drawing straws. The largest tribe was Judah, of course.
*The Levites, males a month old or more, were counted last. They had increased by exactly 1,000. Amazing. Supposedly, not one of the current population of Israelites was of the group counted by Moses and Aaron, except Caleb and Joshua. (And Moses) Which would have to mean there were no men over the age of 60 at this time.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Numbers chapter 25
After reading chapter 25:
*So, Israel was staying in Shittim (Please, let's not get all junior high here.) Some of the men got invited to BBQs (sacrifices to other gods) by the Moabite women, and they went. Not only that, they also had a very good time with those Moabite women. They ate the BBQ and bowed down to Baal of Peor, who may have been the egyptian sun god Horus. Boy was Yahweh mad! He told Moses to kill all the people who had done this.
*Then an Israelite man had the effrontery to bring home a Midianite woman in front of everyone!
Phineas, the son of Eleazar the high priest, took a spear and drove it through both of them while they were together in the tent. This stopped a plague which had apparently been happening at the time, but not before 24,0000 people died. (A nice round number. )God told Moses that Phineas had appeased his anger, so he made an everlasting covenant with him that his descendants would be an everlasting priesthood, even though he had already been covered under the same promise made to Aaron.
*Is anyone else wondering how we got from Moabites to Midianites one setting? As far as I know they are not the same thing. Now Yahweh tells Moses to treat the Midianites as enemies because their deceit caused the Israelites to worship Peor, which brought the plague.
*So, Israel was staying in Shittim (Please, let's not get all junior high here.) Some of the men got invited to BBQs (sacrifices to other gods) by the Moabite women, and they went. Not only that, they also had a very good time with those Moabite women. They ate the BBQ and bowed down to Baal of Peor, who may have been the egyptian sun god Horus. Boy was Yahweh mad! He told Moses to kill all the people who had done this.
*Then an Israelite man had the effrontery to bring home a Midianite woman in front of everyone!
Phineas, the son of Eleazar the high priest, took a spear and drove it through both of them while they were together in the tent. This stopped a plague which had apparently been happening at the time, but not before 24,0000 people died. (A nice round number. )God told Moses that Phineas had appeased his anger, so he made an everlasting covenant with him that his descendants would be an everlasting priesthood, even though he had already been covered under the same promise made to Aaron.
*Is anyone else wondering how we got from Moabites to Midianites one setting? As far as I know they are not the same thing. Now Yahweh tells Moses to treat the Midianites as enemies because their deceit caused the Israelites to worship Peor, which brought the plague.
Friday, December 4, 2015
Numbers chapters 23 and 24
After reading chapters 23 and 24:
*Next, Balaam has Balak build seven altars and they sacrifice seven Bulls and seven Rams. Then Balaam excuses himself to go talk to Yahweh. When he comes back, he gave a poetic speech called an oracle, which basically says he can't curse the Israelites because God hasn't cursed them.
*Then, Balak takes Balaam to some higher ground where they can see some of the Israelite horde. He again asks Balaam to curse them. They build seven more altars and sacrifice seven more Bulls and Rams. Balaam excuses himself again to talk with Yahweh. When he comes back, he gives another poetic speech saying he was commanded to bless the Israelites, and no divination or sorcery would work against them. Balak says Balaam may not be able to curse the Israelites, but he doesn't have to bless them, gee.
*Now Balak takes Balaam to a different vantage point hoping there will be a different answer this time. The altars are built again, the Bulls and Rams sacrificed, and Balaam goes off to talk to Yahweh. Balaam then gives another pretty speech about the Israelites and ends with " whoever curses them will be cursed and whoever blesses them will be blessed." Balak was very angry and sent Balaam home without pay for his services. Then Balaam prophesies about Israel crushing the Moabites and other surrounding people, plus the rise of a great ruler. After that he goes home.
Edited because my grammar skills are always better the next day.
*Next, Balaam has Balak build seven altars and they sacrifice seven Bulls and seven Rams. Then Balaam excuses himself to go talk to Yahweh. When he comes back, he gave a poetic speech called an oracle, which basically says he can't curse the Israelites because God hasn't cursed them.
*Then, Balak takes Balaam to some higher ground where they can see some of the Israelite horde. He again asks Balaam to curse them. They build seven more altars and sacrifice seven more Bulls and Rams. Balaam excuses himself again to talk with Yahweh. When he comes back, he gives another poetic speech saying he was commanded to bless the Israelites, and no divination or sorcery would work against them. Balak says Balaam may not be able to curse the Israelites, but he doesn't have to bless them, gee.
*Now Balak takes Balaam to a different vantage point hoping there will be a different answer this time. The altars are built again, the Bulls and Rams sacrificed, and Balaam goes off to talk to Yahweh. Balaam then gives another pretty speech about the Israelites and ends with " whoever curses them will be cursed and whoever blesses them will be blessed." Balak was very angry and sent Balaam home without pay for his services. Then Balaam prophesies about Israel crushing the Moabites and other surrounding people, plus the rise of a great ruler. After that he goes home.
Edited because my grammar skills are always better the next day.
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Numbers chapter 22
After reading chapter 22:
*Even though chapter 21 tells us the Israelites took possession of and settled in the land of the Amorites, plus made war with Bashan to the north, this chapter tells us they were still on the move. Now they are camping along the Jordan, across the river from Jericho.
*I became confused about many of the places mentioned in these chapters. The Israelites should have gone through or around the land of the Moabites to get to the land of the Amorites, but now we seem to be backtracking . If you look at the maps of the land of Canaan,(There are a number of different maps to flip through) you can see where the different tribal kingdoms are supposed to have been. Anyway, now Balaak, the son of the King of Moab, listened to his fellow Moabites , who were terrified that the Israelite hordes would decimate their land. So, some Moabite princes went to visit Balaam, who was apparently a practitioner of the long lost fake art of divination, plus had the power to bless and curse people. They wanted Balaam to put a curse on the Israelites. He promised to give them a message from Yahweh.
*God told Balaam not to put a curse on the Israelites and not to go with the princes of Moab. Balaam told the princes this, and the King's son offered him anything he wanted if Balaam would put a curse on the Israelites. Balaam talked to God again and was told to go with the Moabites now.
*So, in the morning, Balaam saddled his donkey to go with the princes of Moab, just like God told him to. But now God is mad, for who knows what reason. His angel stood in the road with a drawn sword, blocking the way. The donkey saw the Angel and refused to go down the road. Balaam beat her. The angel made a game of block the donkey as Balaam went along. Each time, Balaam beat her. Finally, she just lay down and asked why Balaam has beaten her. Balaam took his talking donkey as a matter of course and said it's because she made him look foolish. Then they had a little chat, and Balaam realized something was up when he personally saw the Angel with the sword. So, Balaam apologized to the Angel, not the donkey, and offered to turn back. But no, God still wanted him to go on. Huh?
*Balaam got to Balak and told him he could only speak the words God put in his mouth. Then Balak and the other princes had a bbq (sacrifice) and shared it with Balaam.
And if you believe in talking donkeys, I have a bridge to sell you.
Edited for grammar and spelling.
*I became confused about many of the places mentioned in these chapters. The Israelites should have gone through or around the land of the Moabites to get to the land of the Amorites, but now we seem to be backtracking . If you look at the maps of the land of Canaan,(There are a number of different maps to flip through) you can see where the different tribal kingdoms are supposed to have been. Anyway, now Balaak, the son of the King of Moab, listened to his fellow Moabites , who were terrified that the Israelite hordes would decimate their land. So, some Moabite princes went to visit Balaam, who was apparently a practitioner of the long lost fake art of divination, plus had the power to bless and curse people. They wanted Balaam to put a curse on the Israelites. He promised to give them a message from Yahweh.
*God told Balaam not to put a curse on the Israelites and not to go with the princes of Moab. Balaam told the princes this, and the King's son offered him anything he wanted if Balaam would put a curse on the Israelites. Balaam talked to God again and was told to go with the Moabites now.
*So, in the morning, Balaam saddled his donkey to go with the princes of Moab, just like God told him to. But now God is mad, for who knows what reason. His angel stood in the road with a drawn sword, blocking the way. The donkey saw the Angel and refused to go down the road. Balaam beat her. The angel made a game of block the donkey as Balaam went along. Each time, Balaam beat her. Finally, she just lay down and asked why Balaam has beaten her. Balaam took his talking donkey as a matter of course and said it's because she made him look foolish. Then they had a little chat, and Balaam realized something was up when he personally saw the Angel with the sword. So, Balaam apologized to the Angel, not the donkey, and offered to turn back. But no, God still wanted him to go on. Huh?
*Balaam got to Balak and told him he could only speak the words God put in his mouth. Then Balak and the other princes had a bbq (sacrifice) and shared it with Balaam.
And if you believe in talking donkeys, I have a bridge to sell you.
Edited for grammar and spelling.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Numbers chapter 21
After reading chapter 21:
*Now the Canaanite King of Arad, in the Negev, heard that the Israelites were coming, so he attacked and captured some of them. The Israelites asked God to let them destroy the cities in that area, and of course he obliged since they had asked nicely. So, they completely destroyed the people and their towns and called the place Hormah, which was also the name of two other places in the Bible,(Numbers 14, Judges 1) in spite of the fact that there is no extra biblical reference to any place of that name. This is in contrast to the Arad site which shows that it was an early Israelite site with a possible temple to Yahweh on its high point.
*After slaughtering the inhabitants of that area the Israelites move on, complaining of the lack of food and water. So, Yahweh, who had let them destroy whole towns, decided to send poisonous snakes to pester them. They were seriously alarmed and asked Moses to pray for them, because prayer is the most effective way to deal with snakes. He did, and Yahweh told him to set up a pole with a bronze snake for the people to look at when they got bit, that would keep them from dying. Because it would have been too much trouble to just get rid of the snakes. I wonder if it looked anything like the rod of Asclepius or Ningishzida, among the many uses of serpent symbology.
*The Israelites moved on camping in Oboth, lye Abarim, the Zered valley, and beside the Arnon River which is now called the wadi Mujib. Apparently, there was a Book of the Wars of Yahweh that told about this. It has vanished from existence. And they kept moving from place to place til they came to the valley of Moab overlooked by Pisgah.
*Then they sent messengers to the king of the Amorites to ask if they could pass through his territory. He said no. Verse 23. The irony of the text saying that this land belongs to the Amorites and not the Israelites is almost amusing. So, the king got an army together and met the Israelites, but this time they killed the king, took over the land of the Amorites, and occupied all its cities. You can guess what happened to the inhabitants. However they could only go so far because the Ammonite border was fortified. So the Israelites settled in the land of the Amorites, presumably east of the Jordan at this time.
*Then they had more battles, captured more settlements, took posession of more land, and killed more people, all with the help of Yahweh, of course.
Edited.
*Now the Canaanite King of Arad, in the Negev, heard that the Israelites were coming, so he attacked and captured some of them. The Israelites asked God to let them destroy the cities in that area, and of course he obliged since they had asked nicely. So, they completely destroyed the people and their towns and called the place Hormah, which was also the name of two other places in the Bible,(Numbers 14, Judges 1) in spite of the fact that there is no extra biblical reference to any place of that name. This is in contrast to the Arad site which shows that it was an early Israelite site with a possible temple to Yahweh on its high point.
*After slaughtering the inhabitants of that area the Israelites move on, complaining of the lack of food and water. So, Yahweh, who had let them destroy whole towns, decided to send poisonous snakes to pester them. They were seriously alarmed and asked Moses to pray for them, because prayer is the most effective way to deal with snakes. He did, and Yahweh told him to set up a pole with a bronze snake for the people to look at when they got bit, that would keep them from dying. Because it would have been too much trouble to just get rid of the snakes. I wonder if it looked anything like the rod of Asclepius or Ningishzida, among the many uses of serpent symbology.
*The Israelites moved on camping in Oboth, lye Abarim, the Zered valley, and beside the Arnon River which is now called the wadi Mujib. Apparently, there was a Book of the Wars of Yahweh that told about this. It has vanished from existence. And they kept moving from place to place til they came to the valley of Moab overlooked by Pisgah.
*Then they sent messengers to the king of the Amorites to ask if they could pass through his territory. He said no. Verse 23. The irony of the text saying that this land belongs to the Amorites and not the Israelites is almost amusing. So, the king got an army together and met the Israelites, but this time they killed the king, took over the land of the Amorites, and occupied all its cities. You can guess what happened to the inhabitants. However they could only go so far because the Ammonite border was fortified. So the Israelites settled in the land of the Amorites, presumably east of the Jordan at this time.
*Then they had more battles, captured more settlements, took posession of more land, and killed more people, all with the help of Yahweh, of course.
Edited.
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