The Beatitudes recorded in the “Sermon on the Mount” and angry statements made by Jesus against leaders of the Temple community are considered together, today, along with more on the topic of a daily revelation. The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Anna” (Level 1 with 11 points, a member since August 1, 2012) posted the following:
Need bible study help, please!!?
How does the Beatitudes relate to the woes Jesus pronounces upon the scribes and Pharisees in Matt. 23?
THE BATTLE AXE: A Daily Revelation? (10/02/2012)—We are correct to say a person has revelations through things that occur on a day-to-day basis, because nothing odd, weird and unusual has to appear. Revelation may be new insight, respect and deeper appreciation for things as they have always been. Similarly, when speaking of revelation from GOD, divine glory, talking in tongues, seeing angels, and manifestations of majesty and fire are not the only content of sacred revelation. As aspects of eternal being, Perfection and Revelation are continuous and uninterrupted human experiences of ongoing divine operations along with Judgment, Repentance, and Sanctification. In Jesus, divinity is revealed through the use of flesh and blood. While the Incarnation, birth, death and resurrection of GOD in the person of Jesus are understood as one-time events, their consequences and unending presence establish Jesus Christ as an inexhaustible source of power that continues to generate new life, new vision and new understanding for the existence of all created beings and living creatures. Following completion of the Great White Throne judgment, elimination of all sin, the finish of mortality, and populating the new earth, judgment as the righteousness of GOD (with revelation then realization of Divine Person) will continue to stream as everlasting life and eternity.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. And it shall come to pass, when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal. Are they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh? For ye shall pass over Jordan to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God giveth you, and ye shall possess it, and dwell therein. And ye shall observe to do all the statutes and judgments which I set before you this day. (Deuteronomy 11: 26-32, King James Version)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Tragedy? (10/23/2010); Divine Blessing (10/22/2010)
Admonition, cautions and warnings are provided to mankind as part of the full proclamation of divine law and commandment. In addition to statements where specific activity and behavior are forbidden and prohibited, consequences, punishments and sanctions, are declared. By this, the law is forward-looking, and “predicts” likely future outcomes.
The language “woe unto you” can be taken to mean, “be alert,” “be forewarned,” “be on your guard” or even “watch and pray.” Also, we may take it to say, “a curse be upon you.” The proclamation of law through blessing and cursing uses the principles of comparison (showing things to be alike and in harmony) and contrast (showing things to be different and opposite). Perhaps, the clearest example of this in Scripture is found with the readings of the law commanded by Moses that would publish the divine covenant. Before the congregation would cross the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land, they were required to first broadcast the name of GOD (i.e., speak aloud his reputation; detail the deeds GOD would continue to be known by); then declare the conditions for occupancy of the inheritance from GOD. The blessings were to be pronounced from the top of Mount Gerizim and the curses from Mount Ebal (see Deuteronomy 11, KJV).
In his ministry fulfilling the old covenant, identifying the righteousness of the law, and sharing revelation of GOD through flesh and blood, Jesus appears to defy and disobey the law. Rightly understood, the Savior does not deny divine law; instead, reverence for the law is “regenerated”, and the law is shown to rest most securely when upon a foundation of faith imparted from GOD. The Pharisees and Sadducees were like labor unions or American political parties, that do not own a business or themselves employ government workers, yet demand access to decision-making. With the money changers, sellers of animals for sacrifice and others who had become fixtures of the Temple community, they exercised great influence over believers throughout the land. They represented corruption of the priesthood, because they were not all consecrated to serve as GOD’s anointed. By calling these institutional and political leaders “hypocrites” (i.e., actors, counterfeits, frauds and showmen), Jesus exposed their practices and rites as “going through the motions,” vain worship, and formalism that cannot impart spiritual power from GOD to indwell his covenant people.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, Jesus upholds the law as holy, and just and good. The law is more than a civil and social reality. The law is seen as spiritual, expressing sacred promises and sure prophecies. Thus, Christ also demonstrates otherwise unseen principles such as the truth that the law, promise and prophecy are universal. Consider again Isaiah 24: 1-3 and Romans 7: 11-13.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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