DOCSLIB.ORG

Jehovah-Shammah Were Going to Ride a Rollercoaster

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Jehovah-Shammah Were Going to Ride a Rollercoaster The Names of God And I got a phone call from Young. She called me because she couldn’t find us at the bumper car place. I told her that Elliot and I Jehovah-Shammah were going to ride a rollercoaster. She asked I was sure about that. I said Elliot would be fine. Young said she wasn’t worrying about Ezekiel 48:35 Elliot but me. She asked whether I was really okay with that. I said, “Of course, I am okay. This is nothing. Even a little kid rides it.” I rode it and, honestly speaking, I thought I was going to go to This Thursday was my son, Elliot’s 8th birthday. For his birthday heaven that day. It was much more than I expected. Lots of tight gift, he wanted to go to Busch Garden and so, my family went to turns, steep slopes, sudden drops, going through a dark tunnel… there this week. We first stopped at the Sesame Street theme park. Everybody on the ride screamed. There Elliot and Eric enjoyed rides such as an Elmo train, a boat ride, and an air-drop. These rides were very kid’s friendly and not After the ride, Elliot whispered in my ears, “Dad, I think I picked so scary at all. After the Sesame Street, we went to see other the wrong ride. It was scary.” And I assured him again that there is sections of the park too. no reason to be scared because did is with him. But I think he and I are done with an amusement park for a while. Elliot enjoyed a swing ride and a skyride too. He also wanted to ride a bumper car and he and I were heading to the bumper car When you are scared or worried, God, our Heavenly Father, says to place. He suddenly grasped my hand and dragged me to another you, “Do not fear for I am with you.” Today is the last week of the ride. This ride was a kind of a rollercoaster. It was called Autobahn sermon series, the Names of God. And today we are going to look Race. Elliot wanted to try this ride so badly. at the name, Jehovah-Shammah, which means “The LORD is There.” Indeed, the Lord is there for you. According to its instruction, he was able to ride it. But I felt I need to tell him that this ride could be much scarier than the other rides This name of God, Jehovah-Shammah is revealed in the book of he had tried before. Elliot grasped my hand again and said, “I am Ezekiel. The very last chapter and the verse of the book of Ezekiel, not sacred because I am riding with you, dad. Are you scared, dad?” 48:35 says, “And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The LORD is There.” To understand this name of God, we need to By the way, I am not a big fan of a rollercoaster at all. Thrill rides look at the context of Ezekiel. are not my thing. But I knew this moment would come. I pretended cool and calm and said, “I am not sacred at all and you will be fine with me for sure.” Ezekiel prophesied during the time of Judah’s exile in Babylon. which is called by my name, and say, “We are safe!”—only to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, sent an army and destroyed go on doing all these abominations?” Jerusalem and burned down the Temple, the King’s palace, and all the houses in the city. The walls of the city were torn down and But Ezekiel said that the tragedy took place in the temple. God Israel people were taken captive to Babylon. departed from the temple. In Ezekiel 10, Ezekiel saw in his vision that the glory of the Lord departed from the temple. To Israel people, the fall of Jerusalem meant much more than a defeat by the enemy. To them, the fall of Jerusalem meant God had Why did the glory of God leave the temple and why the presence of left them. That was because of the temple in Jerusalem. When the God was vanished from Israel people? The reason is revealed in temple was first dedicated, 2 Chronicles 5:13-14 says, “The house Ezekiel 8:3, “and the spirit lifted me up between earth and of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could heaven, and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the not stand to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the entrance of the gateway of the inner court that faces north, to LORD filled the house of God.” the seat of the image of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy.” From the opening day of the Jerusalem Temple, the presence of It was the Israel’s idolatry. The Jews built an idol image right at the God was evident and overwhelming to Israel people. They didn’t entrance of the inner court of the temple, and that provoked God to doubt that Jerusalem Temple was God’s habitation where God jealousy. dwelt. And Israel people began to boast with confidence that they A few weeks ago, as we talked about Jehovah-Shalom in Gideon’s would always be safe in Jerusalem because it is God’s habitation. story, we talked about idols in our lives. Even without knowing it, No enemies would be able to defeat it. we can build and worship idol gods in our lives. Idols in this Over the years, the Jews lost a sense of awe and wonder of God’s generation can be money, materialism, power, sex, self-image, presence in the temple. The temple and its worship became a ambition, or pride. These idols start as our servants first, but they meaningless routine. But they still presumed God’s presence and soon become our master. They begin to dominate our lives, and God’s protection over the city. they separate us from God. Prophet Jeremiah rebuked Israel for their false belief. Jeremiah But the massage of Ezekiel does not end without the message of 7:8-10 says, “Here you are, trusting in deceptive words to no hope. Ezekiel says that the glory of God which left the temple is avail. Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, coming back. make offerings to Baal, and go after other gods that you have Ezekiel 43:1-2 says, “Then he brought me to the gate, the gate not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, facing east. And there, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east; the sound was like the sound of mighty clean up his room first. I would fix his toys if he would do his daily waters; and the earth shone with his glory.” work first. But often he does not remember that part, his responsibilities. The temple in Jerusalem was with filled with the glory of God again. Now the presence of God is restored. We learned that the How about us? We like to claim God’s promise for us; “God, You glory of God left His people because of their idol worship. Then promised us to be with us always.” But we are not interested in His what was the reason the glory of God had returned to His people? demands. I want God’s presence in my life, but I don’t want to give up the throne of my life. Ezekiel 43:6-7 reveals the reason: “While the man was standing beside me, I heard someone speaking to me out of the temple. It’s like I want God to be in my car, but not in a driver seat but in a He said to me: Mortal, this is the place of my throne and the in a passenger seat or put Him in a trunk. I don’t want to give up my place for the soles of my feet, where I will reside among the handle because I don’t think I really need God until something people of Israel forever.” urgent happens and I need His help. We need to pay attention to this passage, where it says, “This is the In the very last verse of the book of Ezekiel, the city of Jerusalem is place of my throne.” God has returned to the temple as the King. described as Jehovah-Shammah, the LORD is there. Dear brothers This is the message we need to hear today. We want God’s presence and sisters in Christ, Jerusalem means our hearts. in our lives. We want the glory of God and the protection of God. But not many people want to receive God as their King, or their 1 Corinthians 3:16 says, “Don’t you know that you yourselves Master and Lord. are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” There are times that makes me wonder whether Elliot is a genius. Is your heart filled with the glory of God? Who sits on the throne of He can remember and remind me every promise that I made with your life? If you want the glory of God and the presence of God to him. “Dad, didn’t you say last week that you would play with me be restored in your life? You must give your throne to Him first, so baseball?” “Dad, didn’t you say last month when we had a breakfast that He can reign and rule as your King.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Summer Quarter Sunday School 2006
    FALL QUARTER SUNDAY SCHOOL 2014 THEME: DISPLACED BUT NOT MISPLACED THROUGH TRUSTING THE IMMUTABLE GOD Unit III – Visions of Grandeur “ The Return of God’s Glory” Sunday School Lesson No. IX – November 2, 2014 Presented by Rev. Frank A. Davis, III Lesson Text: Ezekiel 43:1-12 (NLT) Motto Text: Ezekiel 43:4 (NLT), “And the glory of the LORD came into the Temple through the east gateway.” Required Reading: Ezekiel 40 – 43:12 Reliable Resources: David Jeremiah Study Bible; Precepts for Living (UMI); Pilgrim Study Bible (Notes); Preaching from the Prophets (Kyle Yates); Union Gospel Press Expositor and Illuminator; Standard Lesson Commentary; Nelson’s Illustrated Manners and Customs of the Bible (1980); Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament (1993); The Message (Translation); Children’s Ministry Resource Bible; The Outline Study Bible by H. L. Willmington LESSON INTRODUCTION First, I want to acknowledge my limitations as an expositor of this great text and pray that the Holy Spirit will bring illumination to those who study the text so that all glory will rest at the feet of our God! Now, according to the notes of the Union Gospel Press Expositor and Illuminator: “Our lessons this quarter began with several passages from Jeremiah that reassured Judah in its darkest days…But as our second unit from Habakkuk and Job revealed, dark nights can descend on the soul to tax hope to the breaking point…Our final five lessons, four from Ezekiel and one from Isaiah, return us to the brighter prospects awaiting the saints in the last days.” In “Precepts for Living” we find, “Just as God showed the Apostle John a revelation of the future in a vision, which included the New Jerusalem (Rev.
    [Show full text]
  • Through the Looking Glass: Reflections on Ezek 43:3, Num 12:8 and 1 Cor 13:8
    THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS: REFLECTIONS ON EZEK 43:3, NUM 12:8 AND 1 COR 13:8 by MICHAEL FISHBANE Brandeis University. Waltham, MA 02254-91 JO The role of visions dominates the Book of Ezekiel. Apart from the prophet's inaugural vision in chap. I, and the related vision of the divine Glory in chap. IO, prior to the destruction of Jerusalem, there is, of course, the guided heavenly tour of the New Temple which Ezekiel receives in chaps. 40-42. In addition to these cosmic or meta-historical visions, a whole series of historical visions makes up the texture of Ezekiel's prophecies. Generations of scholars pondered their Sit:z im Leben and speculated about their authenticity. In this context, we may simply recall the diverse discussions concerning the content of the vision of the abominations in Jerusalem found in chap. 8. 1 In addition, many other of Ezekiel's predictions (like the vision of the Valley of Bones and the Gog and Magog prophecy) are rendered in a highly descriptive and visual imagery. Ezekiel is thus a seer: a seer of the future and of transcendent realities. Moreover, like his ancient counterparts, the key verb used in Ezekiel's visions is the stem riPah;2 and the key expression describing the intensity of divine influence is that the "hand of YHWH" was "upon" him. 3 I. Cf. the commentaries of Cooke (1936), Greenberg (1983) and Zimmerli (1979, 1983) ad loc (with literature cited); and also Gaster (1969), pp. 607 I I. 2. For this verb in the book of Ezekiel, cf.
    [Show full text]
  • Why Sacrifices in the Millennium
    Scholars Crossing Article Archives Pre-Trib Research Center May 2009 Why Sacrifices in The Millennium Thomas D. Ice Liberty University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/pretrib_arch Recommended Citation Ice, Thomas D., "Why Sacrifices in The Millennium" (2009). Article Archives. 60. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/pretrib_arch/60 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Pre-Trib Research Center at Scholars Crossing. It has been accepted for inclusion in Article Archives by an authorized administrator of Scholars Crossing. For more information, please contact [email protected]. WHY LITERAL SACRIFICES IN THE MILLENNIUM Tom's Perspectives by Thomas Ice A common objection to the consistent literal interpretation of Bible prophecy is found in Ezekiel’s Temple vision (Ezek. 40—48). Opponents argue that if this is a literal, future Temple, then it will require a return to the sacrificial system that Christ made obsolete since the prophet speaks of “atonement” (kiper) in Ezekiel 43:13, 27; 45:15, 17, 20. This is true! Critics believe this to be a blasphemous contradiction to the finished work of Christ as presented in Hebrews 10. Hank Hanegraaff says that I have “exacerbated the problem by stating that without animal sacrifices in the Millennium, Yahweh’s holiness would be defiled. That, for obvious reasons, is blasphemous.” He further says that such a view constitutes a return “to Old Covenant sacrifices.”1 “Is it heretical to believe that a Temple and sacrifices will once again exist,” ask John Schmitt and Carl Laney? “Ezekiel himself believed it was a reality and the future home of Messiah.
    [Show full text]
  • The Anti-Samaritan Attitude As Reflected in Rabbinic Midrashim
    religions Article The Anti‑Samaritan Attitude as Reflected in Rabbinic Midrashim Andreas Lehnardt Faculty of Protestant Theology, Johannes Gutenberg‑University Mainz, 55122 Mainz, Germany; lehnardt@uni‑mainz.de Abstract: Samaritans, as a group within the ranges of ancient ‘Judaisms’, are often mentioned in Talmud and Midrash. As comparable social–religious entities, they are regarded ambivalently by the rabbis. First, they were viewed as Jews, but from the end of the Tannaitic times, and especially after the Bar Kokhba revolt, they were perceived as non‑Jews, not reliable about different fields of Halakhic concern. Rabbinic writings reflect on this change in attitude and describe a long ongoing conflict and a growing anti‑Samaritan attitude. This article analyzes several dialogues betweenrab‑ bis and Samaritans transmitted in the Midrash on the book of Genesis, Bereshit Rabbah. In four larger sections, the famous Rabbi Me’ir is depicted as the counterpart of certain Samaritans. The analyses of these discussions try to show how rabbinic texts avoid any direct exegetical dispute over particular verses of the Torah, but point to other hermeneutical levels of discourse and the rejection of Samari‑ tan claims. These texts thus reflect a remarkable understanding of some Samaritan convictions, and they demonstrate how rabbis denounced Samaritanism and refuted their counterparts. The Rabbi Me’ir dialogues thus are an impressive literary witness to the final stages of the parting of ways of these diverging religious streams. Keywords: Samaritans; ancient Judaism; rabbinic literature; Talmud; Midrash Citation: Lehnardt, Andreas. 2021. The Anti‑Samaritan Attitude as 1 Reflected in Rabbinic Midrashim. The attitudes towards the Samaritans (or Kutim ) documented in rabbinical literature 2 Religions 12: 584.
    [Show full text]
  • Ezekiel 48:8-35
    Pentwater Bible Church The Book of Ezekiel Message One-Hundred Seven THE LORD’S DIVISION OF THE LAND OF ISRAEL PART II October 29, 2017 Daniel E. Woodhead Ezekiel 48:8-35 8And by the border of Judah, from the east side unto the west side, shall be the oblation which ye shall offer, five and twenty thousand reeds in breadth, and in length as one of the portions, from the east side unto the west side: and the sanctuary shall be in the midst of it. 9The oblation that ye shall offer unto Jehovah shall be five and twenty thousand reeds in length, and ten thousand in breadth. 10And for these, even for the priests, shall be the holy oblation: toward the north five and twenty thousand in length, and toward the west ten thousand in breadth, and toward the east ten thousand in breadth, and toward the south five and twenty thousand in length: and the sanctuary of Jehovah shall be in the midst thereof. 11It shall be for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok, that have kept my charge, that went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray. 12And it shall be unto them an oblation from the oblation of the land, a thing most holy, by the border of the Levites. 13And answerable unto the border of the priests, the Levites shall have five and twenty thousand in length, and ten thousand in breadth: all the length shall be five and twenty thousand, and the breadth ten thousand.
    [Show full text]
  • Ezekiel 43-44; 47) by Lenet Hadley Read
    Old Testament 44 Every Thing Shall Live Whither the River Cometh (Ezekiel 43-44; 47) By Lenet Hadley Read (Here are insights into Ezekiel’s visions of the Temple. A major sign of Restored Israel is the Temple). I. The absence of the Temple was always a witness that the Lord has forsaken His people. When Israel no longer had God’s favor, the Temple, or sacred instruments within the Temple, were consistently taken from them.* A. It is significant that in 586 B.C., Babylon destroyed Solomon’s Temple and took the temple’s instruments, along with the Jews themselves, into captivity. B. This destruction and the captivity was a final witness that the Lord’s presence was withdrawn from ancient Israel at that time. C. “And the heathen shall know that the house of the Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies” (Ezekiel 39:23). II. Among the chief reasons for the captivity and loss of the temple was that Judah “profaned his Temple” and “polluted His Sabbaths.” A. “Her priests have …profaned mine holy things” (Ezekiel 22:26). III. Likewise, the return of the Temple among the people always witnessed that the Lord had accepted their repentance and again accepted them as His people. A. This was one major reason the Lord showed Ezekiel, still in captivity, a vision of their future Temple, which would be restored to them when they completed their seventy (70) years of captivity in Babylon.
    [Show full text]
  • Ezekiel 45 to 48 US Pagination
    BIBLE MARKING NOTES Ezekiel 45 The Holy Oblation and Sanctuary 1 1 1 Moreover, when ye shall divide by lot the land for See Num.26:55-56. Nothing by chance in lot: it was disposed by inheritance, ye shall offer an 2oblation unto the LORD, an Yahweh, not man – Prov.16:33. 2 holy portion of the land: the length shall be the length of terumah – a present. Used of “heave offering” in the Law. Zion 3 literally “heaved” to Yahweh – Zech.14:10; Isa.2:2 five and twenty thousand reeds, and the breadth shall be 3 4ten thousand. This shall be holy in all the borders thereof 90 km (56 miles) east-west occupying the territory of ancient Judah (Ezek.48:8). Divided into 3 portions. round about. 4 5 36 km (22 miles) – longitudinal. Portion for Sons of Zadok. 2 Of this there shall be for the sanctuary five hundred in 5 The Temple is positioned in the centre of the border between length, with five hundred in breadth, square round about; portion for Sons of Zadok and mortal Levites (48:8). 6 6 and fifty cubits round about for the suburbs thereof. Void ground outside Temple to set it apart from all else (42:20). 3 And of this measure shalt thou measure the length of five and twenty thousand, and the breadth of ten thousand: and in it shall be the sanctuary and the most holy place. 4 The holy portion of the land shall be for the priests the ministers of the sanctuary, which 7shall come near to minister unto the LORD: and it shall be a place for their 7 houses, and an holy place for the sanctuary.
    [Show full text]
  • THE GLORY RETURNS / Ezekiel 43 © 2015 Holland Davis ______DRY BONES DANCING
    ______________________________ DRY BONES DANCING INTRODUCTION: Turn to Ezekiel 43 • I want to invite you to join us Thursday at 7 at the HUB • This last week we had a lively discussion in our Q&A concerning the Temple that Ezekiel prophesied about in the Kingdom Age • This week we are going to be wrapping up the Book of Ezekiel • We will be look at Chapters 44-48… then we are heading into Daniel • And on Sunday mornings we will begin a new series through the Book Daniel entitled STAND • Such a timely study for us at this time in American History • Today we are going to look at the Second Coming of Christ, the time when the Glory of God will return to Israel • And we will look at a timeline of events that will happen leading up to the Second Coming of Christ Several weeks ago, we looked at Ezekiel 10 • Ezekiel has a vision of the Glory of God departing from the Temple • We made the comparison between this event and the Rapture of the Church where Jesus will come for His Church • The Glory of God will depart from the earth as God judges the false gods or the demonic powers that govern over the nations • Here in Ezekiel 43, we see the Glory of God returning to Israel • Now earlier in Israel’s history, we have an example of the Glory Departing from Israel and then returning to Israel If you remember, God filled the Tabernacle with His Glory in Exodus Exodus 40:34–35 (NKJV) 34 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the 35 LORD filled the tabernacle.
    [Show full text]
  • The Chart Below Reveals How the Exodus Passover Was a Detailed Preview of What Would Occur Fifteen Hundred Years Later at Christ’S Crucifixion
    So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. —Colossians 2:16–17 The chart below reveals how the Exodus Passover was a detailed preview of what would occur fifteen hundred years later at Christ’s crucifixion. The Crucifixion of Jesus The Old Testament Passover on Passover A lamb was taken into the house on Jesus entered the temple on the the tenth of Aviv. tenth of Aviv. The lamb was a young male without Pilate “found no fault [blemish]” in blemish. Christ. The lamb was examined for four Jesus was tested by leaders for four days. days. The lamb was slaughtered on the Jesus was crucified on the fourteenth of Aviv. fourteenth of Aviv. The lamb was killed at 3:00 p.m. Jesus died at 3:00 p.m. (the ninth (between the evenings). hour, Mark 15:25–38). Jesus was crucified on a wooden The lamb was tied to a wooden pole. cross. Pentecost is identified as the time when Moses received the Law on Mount Sinai and Israel became married to God. The first Pentecost was a reflection of the future Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came and the church was born in Jerusalem. The Pentecost in Moses’s Time The Pentecost in Peter’s Time (Exod. 19) (Acts 2) God spoke in seventy languages so They spoke in the tongues of sixteen all could hear. nations. Moses was on Mount Sinai.
    [Show full text]
  • Ezekiel 48 Part 12
    1 graceWORKS ! GOING DEEPER The Papou Study Bible is a daily study provided by me to help folks explore the depth and joy of the “conneXion” life of God. It’s my personal study, and is not intended as a doctrinal statement or statement of any church or denomination or congregation. It’s also my belief that “grace” works, and the servant of God should always want to go deeper. Multi- tasking as usual, I’m also calling this the “Papou Study Bible.” I’m writing it as if I were speaking to my girls who love me and any descendant they have that love their Papou too. And to anyone who wants to consider me a spiritual Dad or “Papou.” I want them to be able to study the Bible with Papou (grandpa in Greek) after I’m gone---and if they don’t, I’ll haunt them. The Scriptures say it’s noble to “search the Scriptures daily” to verify truth like the ancient Bereans did (Acts 17:11). My folks came from Berea. My incredible Dad (and your grandfather and great grandfather, guys), Vasil Charles Valekis taught me to do this like he did---every day until I die. He taught me and everyone I know to go to church no matter what and to put God first. While Mama (Maria Pagona Stratakis Valekis) never really did this, she made sure we listened to Daddy on this one. She would have hit us with a spatula or frying pan or worse if we didn’t. This is a simple sharing my “daily search.” And I’d like to think it is a continuation of God’s life through my Dad through me.
    [Show full text]
  • A Series of Studies in the Old Testament Book of Ezekiel 2
    A series of studies in the Old Testament book of Ezekiel 2 STUDIES IN EZEKIEL Study 1. The Glory & Presence of God’ Ezekiel 1-3 Study 2. ‘Theatre of the Doomed’ Ezekiel 4-5 Study 3. ‘When God leaves the Building’ Ezekiel 8-11 Study 4. ‘A History of Unfaithfulness’ Ezekiel 16 & 23 Study 5. ‘The Nations will Know’ Ezekiel 25-32 Study 6. ‘Watchmen & Shepherds’ Ezekiel 33 & 34 Study 7. ‘From Rigor Mortis to New Life’ Ezekiel 36 & 37; John 14.15-27 Study 8. ‘Glory & Restoration’ Ezekiel 43 1-12; Rev. 22.1-6 Commentaries consulted include: Ezekiel Christopher J.H. Wright BST Ezekiel Peter C. Craigie DSB Ezekiel John B. Taylor IVP Ezekiel Iain M. Duguid NIV Application Making the MOST of these studies! These studies are meant to be a compliment to the Ezekiel sermons heard at St Alban’s. So prior to the study it is best to have heard the sermon and read the relevant chapters. 3 Introduction to the book of Ezekiel Historical Background Ezekiel’s life spanned a period of significant political upheaval in the world. He lived through the decline of Assyrian domination only to se the rise of the all powerful Babylonian Empire. Important dates are listed below (Dates are often approx.) 931 BC Israel Divided: Northern Kingdom Israel; Southern Kingdom Judah 722-721 BC Nth Kingdom conquered by Assyria 612 BC Assyrian capital Nineveh falls to Babylonians 622 BC Ezekiel born 627 BC Jeremiah called to be a prophet 609 BC Death of Josiah King of Judah (Last good king!) 605 BC Babylon conquers Egypt (Battle of Carchemish) 605 BC Judah becomes a vassal state (Jehoiakim) Small deportation of some nobility incl.
    [Show full text]
  • The Restoration of Israel: Ezekiel 36-39 in Early
    The Restoration of Israel: Ezekiel 36-39 in Early Jewish Interpretation: A textual-comparative study of the oldest extant Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. Rev. Ashley Stewart Crane: Bachelor of Theology; Honours. This thesis is presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of Murdoch University. 2006 I declare that this thesis is my own account of my research and contains as its main content work which has not previously been submitted for a degree at any tertiary education institution. ........................................... Ashley S. Crane Abstract: While many have noted the differences between the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts for Ezekiel, they have done so largely to rediscover an earlier Hebrew text, or to determine which variant preserves the better reading, frequently with the aim of establishing a ‘critical text’ for their commentaries. This often leaves the other variant(s) in a sense ‘incorrect’, often attributed to various forms of scribal error. This thesis adopts a ‘textual-comparative’ methodology that accords each textual witness equal status as an interpretive trajectory, enabling each to be ‘heard’ in its own right. The aim of this thesis is to examine these different witnesses with a view to determine what they might tell us about the way Ezekiel 36-39 was interpreted by each particular community. This entails comparing the oldest extant Hebrew and Greek texts both intra-linguistically and trans-linguistically, noting any variants, and exploring possible interpretive reasons for them. This study finds that the Greek translators were familiar with both languages, and that they often exegetically and interpretively interacted with the text before them. The Greek (LXX) is both translation and interpretation of the Hebrew.
    [Show full text]