Jubilees

LearningToLetGo

LearningToLetGo

I am reading Jubilees. It's a strange book, similar to Genesis with many of the same themes.

Jub. 24:26-29 is quite fascinating. It describes something similar to the thousand year reign from Revelations:

"And in those days the children will begin to study the laws, and to seek the commandments, and to return to the path of righteousness. And the days will begin to grow many and increase among those children of men, till their days draw night to one thousand years, and to a greater number of years than before. ... And there will be no Satan nor any evil destroyer, for all their days will be of blessing and healing"

It's interesting how the themes here mesh so well with Revelation. We even have the thousand years, although here it is explained that a thousand years is our original and true lifespan, e.g. Adam, Noah etc.
 
Good morning, LearningToLetGo;

It's interesting to learn of the other books. Jubilees is an ancient Jewish apocryphal works.

Years ago I was interested in watching an Islam movie documentary (I didn't read the book) but was discouraged by fellow Christians for fear I would be converted.

But my former Pastor whose college background included being a teacher of educational learning and said it was ok to watch as an observance and learning.

Enjoy!
 
LearningToLetGo said:
I am reading Jubilees. It's a strange book, similar to Genesis with many of the same themes.

Jub. 24:26-29 is quite fascinating. It describes something similar to the thousand year reign from Revelations:

"And in those days the children will begin to study the laws, and to seek the commandments, and to return to the path of righteousness. And the days will begin to grow many and increase among those children of men, till their days draw night to one thousand years, and to a greater number of years than before. ... And there will be no Satan nor any evil destroyer, for all their days will be of blessing and healing"

It's interesting how the themes here mesh so well with Revelation. We even have the thousand years, although here it is explained that a thousand years is our original and true lifespan, e.g. Adam, Noah etc.
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I hate to be the one to throw cold water on a hot stove, but IMHO I would be careful. I know you said you were trying to become more familier with the Jews of Bible days, however I am not sure this is the way.

You are probably aware of this in that The Book of Jubilees records an account of biblical history from the creation of the world to the time of Moses, as delivered to Moses by an angel on Sinai. That is how Mohammed and Joseph Smith and Ellen White got there opinions.

I should tell you that As portrayed in the Book of Jubilees, Jacob does not lie to his father; Isaac eventually declares Jacob to be his true heir, an elderly Jacob settles on Leah as the wife he loves, and Abram’s deceit of Pharaoh is never mentioned. That means that the author of this book went out of his way to make the Jewish heroes look better than what the Bible declares that they were.
 
LearningToLetGo said:
I appreciate your concern. It's actually fascinating to see how the apocrypha and canon mesh and divide.
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I just like to make sure people I know are informed. I just want people to be aware that the Apocrypha teaches heresy on a whole sale basis.

One of those is prayers for the dead which has messed up the Catholic church. Scriptures teach judgment after death, Hebrew 9:27, therefore prayer for the dead is useless.

Another is Purgatory. These dead Jews being prayed for had committed idolatry which is a mortal sin that contradicts R.C.C. doctrine.

The Apocrypha, in several books teaches salvation by works (Tobit 12:9; Ecclesiasticus 3:30).

The Apocrypha is immoral: Ecclesiasticus 33:26-28 teaches cruelty to slaves.

The Apocrypha is historically inaccurate. Judith speaks of Nebuchadnezzar as reigning in Nineveh (1:1).

The book of Enoch and Tobit introduce two arch angels, (1) Raphael and 2 ( Phenial). They are not found anywhere in the Bible. The book of Enoch says that this angel Raphael is in control of the souls of men. That is total heresy!

Just be carful my brother.
 
I appreciate Major pointing out the differences between the Bible and Jubilees.

Dennis Prager once said he thoroughly believes what's written in the Torah because no body of peoples would write a book about themselves that makes them look so bad. It appears that the author(s) of Jubilees wanted to paint the Israelites in a much better way than reality (The Bible).
 
synthplayer said:
I appreciate Major pointing out the differences between the Bible and Jubilees.

Dennis Prager once said he thoroughly believes what's written in the Torah because no body of peoples would write a book about themselves that makes them look so bad. It appears that the author(s) of Jubilees wanted to paint the Israelites in a much better way than reality (The Bible).
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Thanks and that is exactly what I am warning about.
 
LearningToLetGo said:
As I said elsewhere I'm trying to understand how the ancient Jews viewed their world. If these are texts a 1st century Jew may have read or at least known then it makes sense for me to know them also.
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I think that is an admirable. The Biblical context is not just the text itself but the world surrounding the Bible. What were the people thinking and feeling within their cultural context? These types of documents can provide insight into those kinds of things.

Dr. Michael Heiser: "The Bible must be interpreted in context, and that context isn’t your own or that of your theological tradition; it is the context that produced it (ancient Near East / Mediterranean)."
 
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Major said:
I just like to make sure people I know are informed. I just want people to be aware that the Apocrypha teaches heresy on a whole sale basis.
Just be carful my brother.
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Origen said:
I think that is an admirable. The Biblical context is not just the text itself but the world surrounding the Bible. What were the people thinking and feeling within their cultural context? These types of documents can provide insight into those kinds of things. Dr. Michael Heiser: "The Bible must be interpreted in context, and that context isn’t your own or that of your theological tradition; it is the context that produced it (ancient Near East / Mediterranean)."
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LearningToLetGo said:
I haven't noticed any rose colored glasses yet. Maybe I just haven't noticed. I'll keep an eye out for such bias in my reading.
Thanks for the warning.
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Good morning,

In the 15 years I have fellowshipped at Christian Forum Site I sought to personally grow in my walk with Christ, which include learning from others here, and I have.

While reading this thread it blesses me to know many of my brothers and sisters are seasoned Christians and strive to grow daily. They have gained knowledge and wisdom not just from the Bible but from anointed authors referencing the Scriptures and applications in life.

At times this includes suggestive authors or books so it's understandable in our discussions, a friendly caution or encouragement will be given to each other. Those times that I have been asked to be careful here, I appreciate that. I am still susceptible to vulnerabilities and temptations as anyone else.

LearningToLetGo, I appreciate your manner for sharing a book that you find interesting, being open to learn while using caution.

God bless everyone.

Bob
 
Origen said:
I think that is an admirable. The Biblical context is not just the text itself but the world surrounding the Bible. What were the people thinking and feeling within their cultural context? These types of documents can provide insight into those kinds of things.

Dr. Michael Heiser: "The Bible must be interpreted in context, and that context isn’t your own or that of your theological tradition; it is the context that produced it (ancient Near East / Mediterranean)."
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Good morning, Origen;

I was sad when we learned of Dr. Heiser's loss to cancer. Not only was he a learned student of Old Testament, Judaic Messianic and professor, but he was well rounded in various Christian ministries.

God bless you and thanks for sharing.

Bob
 
It gets stranger and stranger.

First: Jubilees is a long book with very verbose and repetitive descriptions. It reads like a first draft and not a polished work.

Second: It contains stories that aren't in Genesis. For example, there's an entire chapter dedicated to Esau's sons threatening to kill him if he does not agree to lead an army against Jacob after Isaac's death. Jacob ultimately shoots an arrow through Esau's chest and kills him. It's brutal and reads almost like the Illiad.

Third: It describes in great detail how much Jacob loves his wives Leah and Rachel, and how good they were to him. It's unexpected and refreshing to see females treated so tenderly in ancient text.
 
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