The problem is that I don't think we are capable of putting ourselves in the place of the AD 70 Jews. Whatever dreadful images we might attempt to conjure are bound to fall short of the reality for them.
The really sad part is that it was basically a repetition of 586 BC, which itself was a form of the same type of failure that resulted in the capture of the Ark by the Philistines. Jeremiah Chapter 7 is one of the most profound chapters in the entire Bible. To paraphrase: "Speaking fraudulent words, 'Temple of the LORD, Temple of the LORD, Temple of the LORD. You think chanting those hollow words mean something? Remember Shiloh, where I made My name to dwell at first. Your fathers thought they carried Me around in a box, pulling Me out when needed. See what I did to them, and now because you have done the same as your fathers, I will do the same to you."
Then the True dwelling of God among men came, and was torn down by those who again thought they had God in a box. Then in AD 70 the box they thought they had God in was thrown down, stone from stone. Being Jewish, you might have some concept of the depth of despair, but I suspect that it escapes me.
Because I was not raised anywhere near a Jewish group of folks I didn’t know any Jews that I knew of in college. I just find this so fascinating as Christian that Christians would be critical of the Jews our Messiah is Jews. I am a Zionist and proud of it!!! being anti-Jewish is just stupid and nothing but straight out of mouth of the devil!!!! Thank you for filling me in. I never fail to learn truth from you Stuart. You don’t know that you are the man without knowing it that led me to the Lord when I came to Sagemont in 2023. I thought I was a raised liberal Methodist, but I always had this doubt nagging doubt that I was not going to heaven. Going to your class every Sunday was such a eye-opening experience, and I realized that I was a goat, not a sheep. My best friend Martha Dyke actually led me to the Lord to for that salvation comfort but there was that one nagging problem that I had that nobody answered to my satisfaction. It didn’t feel like it . So one Sunday I was sitting in your class and a woman whose name I do not know I didn’t see your face, but she ask you my question and you answered it perfectly and it was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders and now I felt saved. I know it only was saved, but I felt saved, and I will never forget that you are the best. I have such a marvelous staff. It’s unbelievable, but it is such a blessing. People that don’t live here. Ask me. Why do you stay in that hot Texas? I have one answer Sagemont Church. I could never leave this church. I will have to die here then those people can move where they want to go, but I will never leave Sagemont Church unless something terrible happens to it. It falls apart. God strikes it down, tornado blow it away. I don’t know. It would take a act of God to get me out of here because of the fabulous teaching that we get here that has made me more bold in my witness because I believe and know what I know now thank you Stuart, you. Levi, and Denny are the three men that God has used mightily in my life. As I face cancer every day, I can do it because I know where I’m going now without a doubt! I know that I know!! That brings me such peace. Thank you so much.
This topic of how the Jews were making atonement for their sins since the temple was destroyed has come up recently in my discussion with believers. Thank you for this insight.
Awesome post, as usual.
The problem is that I don't think we are capable of putting ourselves in the place of the AD 70 Jews. Whatever dreadful images we might attempt to conjure are bound to fall short of the reality for them.
The really sad part is that it was basically a repetition of 586 BC, which itself was a form of the same type of failure that resulted in the capture of the Ark by the Philistines. Jeremiah Chapter 7 is one of the most profound chapters in the entire Bible. To paraphrase: "Speaking fraudulent words, 'Temple of the LORD, Temple of the LORD, Temple of the LORD. You think chanting those hollow words mean something? Remember Shiloh, where I made My name to dwell at first. Your fathers thought they carried Me around in a box, pulling Me out when needed. See what I did to them, and now because you have done the same as your fathers, I will do the same to you."
Then the True dwelling of God among men came, and was torn down by those who again thought they had God in a box. Then in AD 70 the box they thought they had God in was thrown down, stone from stone. Being Jewish, you might have some concept of the depth of despair, but I suspect that it escapes me.
Wonderful insights my dear friend.
As a former Catholic, the curtain being torn by the hands of God from top to bottom is so significant. You don’t have to go to a man to confess.
You are so right Bonnye! “For there is one God, and one Mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” 1 Timothy 2:5
What a terrible demonization of the Jews. I am shocked!!!
Agreed!
This is so interesting!!
Glad to hear this Sharon. Thank you for reading it.
Because I was not raised anywhere near a Jewish group of folks I didn’t know any Jews that I knew of in college. I just find this so fascinating as Christian that Christians would be critical of the Jews our Messiah is Jews. I am a Zionist and proud of it!!! being anti-Jewish is just stupid and nothing but straight out of mouth of the devil!!!! Thank you for filling me in. I never fail to learn truth from you Stuart. You don’t know that you are the man without knowing it that led me to the Lord when I came to Sagemont in 2023. I thought I was a raised liberal Methodist, but I always had this doubt nagging doubt that I was not going to heaven. Going to your class every Sunday was such a eye-opening experience, and I realized that I was a goat, not a sheep. My best friend Martha Dyke actually led me to the Lord to for that salvation comfort but there was that one nagging problem that I had that nobody answered to my satisfaction. It didn’t feel like it . So one Sunday I was sitting in your class and a woman whose name I do not know I didn’t see your face, but she ask you my question and you answered it perfectly and it was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders and now I felt saved. I know it only was saved, but I felt saved, and I will never forget that you are the best. I have such a marvelous staff. It’s unbelievable, but it is such a blessing. People that don’t live here. Ask me. Why do you stay in that hot Texas? I have one answer Sagemont Church. I could never leave this church. I will have to die here then those people can move where they want to go, but I will never leave Sagemont Church unless something terrible happens to it. It falls apart. God strikes it down, tornado blow it away. I don’t know. It would take a act of God to get me out of here because of the fabulous teaching that we get here that has made me more bold in my witness because I believe and know what I know now thank you Stuart, you. Levi, and Denny are the three men that God has used mightily in my life. As I face cancer every day, I can do it because I know where I’m going now without a doubt! I know that I know!! That brings me such peace. Thank you so much.
What a meaningful and encouraging note Sharon. Thank you so much. You are a blessing.
This topic of how the Jews were making atonement for their sins since the temple was destroyed has come up recently in my discussion with believers. Thank you for this insight.
Glad it was of help!