THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 383

The Lord is my Shepherd - PART 383 Who would you believe? Would you rather believe eye witnesses to an event or an editor's opinion published years later was not privy to the event at the time it occurred. I do knot that it is never better to believe revisionist history if one is seeking the truth. If we take these questions further, we must ask - who is it that would negate the Greek writings in preference for claiming that the Hebrew writings were more authoritative? Certainly waiting 2000 years to revive the Hebrew language is questionable given that during this time period most persons had already embraced another language. The Hebrew language then was so to speak ditched. This is evident from the historical writings. If the Hebrew writings then was the language of that day then scholars within that era would still be conversant in the scripture. As is apparent when one reads Acts 2, other languages at the time were the norm! Further, in the early Christian Church the presumed fact was that the Septuagint was translated by Jews before the era of Christ. And that the Septuagint at certain places gives itself more to a Christological interpretation than say the 2nd century, for example. In terms of the Hebrew texts, evidently the Jews had changed the Hebrew text in such a way that made them less Christological. For example, in Isaiah 7.14. the Septuagint clearly writes of a ‘virgin that shall conceive.' While the Hebrew text was, according to Irenaeus, at that time interpreted by some of the Jewish faith as being a "young woman shall conceive." Those of the Jewish faith according to Irenaeus used this to claim that Joseph was the biological father of JESUS. From Irenaeus' point of view that was pure heresy. As we know from history, heresy was facilitated by late anti-Christian alterations of the scripture in Hebrew. This is evidenced by the older pre-Christian age presentation recorded in the Septuagint. Therefore, if we consider this historical perspective, it is possible that the early Christian writers used the Septuagint rather than the Hebrew Old Testament as their reference. This is further supported when we consider that in the Masoretic text only six references are found in the New Testament. In contrast, 60 - 70 references are presented from the Septuagint. One could say that in this regard, the early church sort of used pony express to deliver written documents while at the same time personally confirming the contents within the letters. JESUS the Christ (Messiah) God Himself with us! JESUS the name GIVEN from Heaven for the child who was “God our Saviour” veiled in flesh. JESUS the central theme of all scriptures. The written Word declaring that in the volume of the Book [the Bible] it is written of Me. Remember, the Old Testament scriptural verses are prophecies foretelling of Jesus. The New Testament verses proclaim the fulfillment. The following verses below are listed for your edification and learning. Check them out ... 1. Born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23) 2. A descendant of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 22:18; Matthew 1:1; Galatians 3:16) 3. Of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10; Luke 3:23, 33; Hebrews 7:14) 4. Of the house of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Matthew 1:1) 5. Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-7) 6. Taken to Egypt (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:14-15) 7. Herod´s killing of the infants (Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:16-18) 8. Anointed by the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2; Matthew 3:16-17) 9. Heralded by the messenger of the Lord (John the Baptist) (Isaiah 40:3-5; Malachi 3:1; Matthew 3:1-3) 10 Would perform miracles (Isaiah 35:5-6; Matthew 9:35) 11 Would preach good news (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:14-21) 12 Would minister in Galilee (Isaiah 9:1; Matthew 4:12-16) 13 Would cleanse the Temple (Malachi 3:1; Matthew 21:12-13) 14 Would first present Himself as King 173,880 days from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem (Daniel 9:25; Matthew 21:4-11) 15 Would enter Jerusalem as a king on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:4-9) 16 Would be rejected by Jews (Psalm 118:22; I Peter 2:7) 17 Die a humiliating death (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53) involving: 18 Rejection (Isaiah 53:3; John 1:10-11; 7:5,48) 19 Betrayal by a friend (Psalm 41:9; Luke 22:3-4; John 13:18) 20 Sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12; Matthew 26:14-15) 21 Silence before His accusers (Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 27:12-14) 22 Being mocked (Psalm 22: 7-8; Matthew 27:31) 23 Beaten (Isaiah 52:14; Matthew 27:26) 24 Spit upon (Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 27:30) 25 Piercing His hands and feet (Psalm 22:16; Matthew 27:31) 26 Being crucified with thieves (Isaiah 53:12; Matthew 27:38) 27 Praying for His persecutors (Isaiah 53:12; Luke 23:34) 28 Piercing His side (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:34) 29 Given gall and vinegar to drink (Psalm 69:21, Matthew 27:34, Luke 23:36) 30 No broken bones (Psalm 34:20; John 19:32-36) 31 Buried in a rich man’s tomb (Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57-60) 32 Casting lots for His garments (Psalm 22:18; John 19:23-24) 33 Would rise from the dead!! (Psalm 16:10; Mark 16:6; Acts 2:31) 34 Ascend into Heaven (Psalm 68:18; Acts 1:9) 35 Would sit down at the right hand of God (Psalm 110:1; Hebrews 1:3)