BIBLE STUDY, Observations, Comments
Part II
PREFACE
We are here because…choose your own reason. I believe there is a power, presence, province – a god – that has created the universe and that we, humans on planet earth, are merely an infinitesimally small part thereof and we are here for only an equally tiny span of time.
The opinions and observations tendered in this treatise are based on my reading of the Bible’s Old Testament, The Torah, and as a 6th generation American Jew.
SELECTED BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
- A) GENESIS:
G_d . . .
Day 1: Created heaven and earth and light
Day 2: Divides water and firmament
Day 3: Creation of grass, fruit, trees
Day 4: Synchronizes the sun and moon – Hebrew/Jewish year one
Day 5: Creates fish and fowl
Day 6: Creates Man and places him in Eden.
Day 7: G_d rests and hallows the 7th day.
- B) EXODUS:
Moses leads his people out of Egypt after G_d brings plagues on the Egyptians. G_d decrees the 10 Commandments to Moses who leads his people to the Promised Land – known as Canaan. G_d then orders all the Canaanites killed. They are not.
1) Perhaps, the G_d of Abraham told the people living in Canaan (Canaanites) to make way for the new inhabitants and they ignored Him, thus He ordered them killed?
2) One of the 10-Commandments clearly states: “Thou shall have no other G_d”. Is the G_d of Abraham and Moses admitting there are other gods?
3) Is the violence against Israel, today, the result of these Chosen People not obeying G_d’s demand to kill all the Canaanites ?
4) Are the Canaanites today’s Palestinians?
- C) LEVITICUS:
Most of this book is details of how sacrifices shall be made and procedures for being clean. A lot of “shall not” laws. These are law/rules that are man-made, not ordered by G_d. G_d says we, the children of Israel, will be a Kingdom of Priests – a holy Nation.
- D) NUMBERS:
G_d is male: All references are to “he,” “him,” or other such male gender pronouns. The amount of burnt offerings the Lord orders is staggering. It is unclear to whom G_d gives this order. It might be man’s hope to declare G_d demanded these offerings as man’s excuse for man’s failings. In other words, it might have been man who created the need for burnt offerings believing these sacrifices will please G_d and/or absolve man of his transgressions?
- E) DEUTERONOMY:
Moses dies after leading his people to the Jordan River. He is not permitted to cross because he trespassed against G_d. He, at the instructions of G_d, appoints Joshua, son of Nun, as the new leader. So far, nothing about the afterlife has been mentioned. The 1st four books appear to be of three components: Genealogy of the Hebrew people; G_d’s promises/covenants and what G_d will do if the covenants are not adhered to.
- F) JOSHUA:
[Though this is not part of the Torah (first five books), I make reference to it because I believe it is a significant part of Jewish history insofar as it records the occupying and physically settling and establishing – The Promised Land – what is today’s Nation of Israel.]
After the death of Moses, G_d dries up the River Jordan so as Joshua can lead the Israelites into the Promised Land (Canaan) – the modern-day Nation of Israel. At G_d’s instruction, on many raids of cities and towns, including Jericho, G_d orders the warriors to kill all the inhabitants of Canaan. The sun stands still as Joshua leads the warriors. He does not kill all the inhabitants. Joshua builds the alter for the covenant of the ark and writes a copy of the law of Moses. The ark is located between Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Ebac. Joshua divides the land between the 12 tribes.
Chuck Klein, Columnist: American Free News Network
Next week: Part III – People of the Bible
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