Colonialism Related to Modern Evaluation of Ancient Writings

 I know, that is a not-very-inviting headline!  I personally would probably skip reading a blog with that title, but since you are here I will reward you with the best read today.

It is from the silly translation (The Message) of Daniel chapter 9.  "Your compassion is our hope."

Powerful and true words.  Daniel's entire prayer in chapter 9 is so in alignment with the heart of God for His chosen people and chosen land that Gabriel is dispatched to speak with Daniel face to face.  The only other times Gabriel is dispatched it is to announce to key players the arrival of the Messiah, so Mary (Miriam, the name means bitter) and Zechariah, (the name means remember) are given the Great News that Messiah, long awaited, is about to burst on the scene.

Okay so what do we mean by "colonialism"?  The Apocalyptic Gospel Podcast guys interviewed a Jewish Rabbi, Joshua Berman and he used this term related to the "critical scholars" who approach scripture with the idea that, "Everyone through out all time should write and record their history the way that we do now. Our way is the only right way."  Literary conventions have changed over time, we know this is the case and all sorts of things change in cultures over time.  That does not make our time better than other times. I would say Rock n Roll music was way better in the 70's but other people may disagree.  It would be "colonialism" related to Rock n Roll music if I were to say, no other Rock n Roll is any good, only 70's rock, but since I kind of like listening to Olivia Rodrigo, I would never say that.

Quoting from an article on colonialism, "According to Gandhi, it is through the practice of non-cooperation with oppression that the force of truth is animated." (https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/colonialism/)  Using this example the "non-violent" approach to fighting against colonialism in the modern evaluation of ancient writings would be simply to point out, that what is normal and expected in our telling of our story or of our telling of history is not the be-all-end-all, only way, that the story can be told.  When ancient writers want to go back and tell a story from a different angle that is okay and if we would dig a little further, instead of just yelling, "contradiction, contradiction" we would benefit greatly.  It is always good to stay in a place of humility and turn aside to see the burning bush, because if you don't stand there long enough looking at it, you would not know that it is burning, but not consuming the bush!

Slow down and enjoy the differences presented in the creation story and the Noah story and etc. Be a humble student, not a pride-filled professor.  Maybe that is what Yeshua meant in Matthew 23 when He exhorts His followers to have only ONE Leader, Father, Rabbi!

Assignment

 Should you choose to accept it....

This is the assignment...

Read Romans 11:25 "For I would not, brethren, that ye ignore this mystery, that ye not be arrogant regarding yourselves: that blindness in part has happened in Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles are come in." (Jubilee Bible 2000)

Let the Spirit of the God of Israel reveal to you the depth of this verse, sit with Him and allow Him to open it up to you.  You will not come to understand anything the Bible calls a mystery without the unveiling of the Holy Spirit, period!   It is meant to be revealed but only to those who express to God that they do not know.

Ignoring this mystery ship wrecked Martin Luther at the end of his days, he did not finish well.

The next part of the assignment is to look at the prayer of Daniel 9 and use it as a guide to repent for the abominable way the gentile "church" has completely botched this.

(Very few will accept this assignment, thank God the results are not up to me.)

Prayer of Repentance for the Arrogant Kingdom

 Daniel 9 has a powerful, humble, prayer of repentance for the Jewish people and their stewardship of the calling of God.  Based on that model and the truth of scripture, here is my first draft of the gentile prayer of repentance for the arrogant kingdom. (aka the "church" - that sees itself as the replacement for Israel)

KNOW THIS - The God of Israel, has one bride, His chosen people.   "I will never leave you nor forsake you" was spoken to the people Israel.  (Deut. 31:6)  Is God a liar?

Hosea was commanded to go again and love His wife Gomer, after her unfaithfulness, after she willingly left him.  Get the picture?

Their call as the chosen people of God is irrevocable.  Look up the meaning of that word and decide whether or not you are going to call the Holy Spirit who inspired Paul to write that a liar - because if you do that you are on very, very shaky ground.

The prayer...

We repent Lord for the arrogant kingdom, that we as gentiles are a part of. We repent for all claims to replace, or usurp Your chosen people. We repent of establishing the work of our hands and praising it above You. We repent of the name "Christian" we are not "little Christ's". We are disciples of the Messiah of Israel. We do not have our own tree. We are not the root. We are "not a people", made to be a people by Your sacrifice and death on the cross. We are grafted into their vine. Their root supports us. Theirs are the promises, theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, theirs the covenants, theirs the receiving of the law, the temple worship. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah. We repent Lord "church" and the "Jesus" associated with it are false gods. We are grafted into Messiah's community, a remnant people that Your sovereign grace has preserved since the time of Abraham. Have mercy and open blinded eyes for Your glory.

Post Tribulation, a revealing of the heart of God.

                     I’ve studied the scriptures that pertain to the end times for years now and although there are quite a few clear scriptures that speak of the rapture being a post-trib event tied to the day of the Lord, (2^nd Thes. 2:1-4) there is an even more compelling argument from the heart of God. 

                 Jeremiah under the power of the Holy Spirit, expressing the heart of God weeps for Israel.  Daniel, carrying the burden of knowing that the 70 years of exile was coming to a close, interceded mightily for Israel.  Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit,  expressed a willingness to be “cut off” if it meant the revealing of Jesus to Israel.  John, inspired by the same Holy Spirit, speaks of a people who protect Israel during a time of great tribulation, and this people are hated by the anti-Christ.  The TenBoom family in Denmark, are an example of Christians being burdened to protect the lives of Jews from the hatred of an evil ruler, even at the cost of their lives.  This sacrificial love is truly what it means to witness, to display the heart of God through your actions.  Your humility, displayed as a willingness to lay down your life for the benefit of another is a revealing of the heart of God.  So God’s heart for His chosen people, which cannot change anymore than any other aspect of God can change, will be displayed during the tribulation through a people who love not their lives unto the death, but willingly, lovingly, display the heart of God to a people who are being, hounded, persecuted and killed by the anti-Christ.  We follow the Lamb, who died as a sacrifice for all.  He said, “Come follow Me.”  There is no compelling argument from the heart of God for a theology of escape. When the ‘church’ is truly aware of the price that was paid for its salvation, and of the blindness imposed on most of Israel by God during this time for our benefit, then we who are moved by so great a love, will be poured out as a drink offering to see Hosea and Gomer reunited.  As we are being poured out, He will be pouring into us.  What a glorious day!  The 'church' has a glorious destiny, to be a suffering servant, like her Messiah for the benefit of another, for the benefit of the ones whom Jesus calls, My brethren!