Jubilees

[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.

 

[bobinfaith]

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]

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.

That reminds me of a video I recently watched. And Orthodox Jew refused to read any book except the Torah.

 

[Major]

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.

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]

I hate to be the one to throw cold water on a hot stove, but IMHO I would be careful.

I appreciate your concern. It's actually fascinating to see how the apocrypha and canon mesh and divide.

 

[LearningToLetGo]

I should tell you that As portrayed in the Book of Jubilees, Jacob does not lie to his father

I just read that part and Jacob still pases himself off as Esau to steal his brother's blessing. On that both texts agree.

 

[Major]

I just read that part and Jacob still pases himself off as Esau to steal his brother's blessing. On that both texts agree.

Yes, for sure you will find exceptions to the rule where some with match.

 

[LearningToLetGo]

Yes, for sure you will find exceptions to the rule where some with match.

What is interesting -- and I don't recall how Genesis portrays it -- is that Abraham is shown to truly adore Jacob, much more than Esau.

 

[Major]

I appreciate your concern. It's actually fascinating to see how the apocrypha and canon mesh and divide.

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.

 

[Major]

What is interesting -- and I don't recall how Genesis portrays it -- is that Abraham is shown to truly adore Jacob, much more than Esau.

But, The Bible does not explicitly state that Abraham truly adores Jacob more than Esau.

 

[LearningToLetGo]

But, The Bible does not explicitly state that Abraham truly adores Jacob more than Esau.

I see. I'll re-read Genesis after this.

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.

 

[synthplayer]

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).

 

[Major]

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).

Thanks and that is exactly what I am warning about.

 

[LearningToLetGo]

It appears that the author(s) of Jubilees wanted to paint the Israelites in a much better way than reality (The Bible).

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.