Difference between revisions of "97:10 The Hebrew Religion"
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| − | 97:10.1 Their [[leaders]] had taught the [ | + | 97:10.1 Their [[leaders]] had taught the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israelites Israelites] that they were a [[chosen people]], not for special indulgence and [[monopoly]] of [[divine]] [[favor]], but for the special [[service]] of carrying the [[truth]] of the one God over all to every [[nation]]. And they had [[promised]] the [[Jews]] that, if they would fulfill this [[destiny]], they would become the [[spiritual]] [[leaders]] of all peoples, and that the coming [[Messiah]] would reign over them and all the world as the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Isaiah#Chapter_.9 Prince of Peace]. |
| − | 97:10.2 When the [[Jews]] had been freed by the [ | + | 97:10.2 When the [[Jews]] had been freed by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews#Babylonian_captivity Persians], they returned to [[Palestine]] only to fall into [[bondage]] to their own [[priest]]-ridden code of [[laws]], [[sacrifices]], and [[rituals]]. And as the [[Hebrew]] [[clans]] rejected the [[wonderful]] [[story]] of [[God]] presented in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses#Death farewell oration of Moses][https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Deutoronomy] for the [[rituals]] of [[sacrifice]] and [[penance]], so did these remnants of the [[Hebrew]] nation reject the magnificent [[concept]] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Isaiah#Isaiah_40-55_.28Deutero-Isaiah.29 second Isaiah] for the rules, regulations, and [[rituals]] of their growing [[priesthood]]. |
| − | 97:10.3 [[Nationalism|National]] [[egotism]], false [[faith]] in a misconceived promised [[Messiah]], and the increasing bondage and [[tyranny]] of the [[priesthood]] forever silenced the [[voices]] of the [[spiritual]] [[leaders]] (excepting [ | + | 97:10.3 [[Nationalism|National]] [[egotism]], false [[faith]] in a misconceived promised [[Messiah]], and the increasing bondage and [[tyranny]] of the [[priesthood]] forever silenced the [[voices]] of the [[spiritual]] [[leaders]] (excepting [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel Daniel], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezekiel Ezekiel], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haggai Haggai], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malachi Malachi]); and from that day to the time of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John the Baptist] all [[Israel]] experienced an increasing [[spiritual]] [[retrogression]]. But the Jews never lost the [[concept]] of the [[Universal Father]]; even to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century twentieth century] after Christ they have continued to follow this [[Deity]] [[conception]]. |
| − | 97:10.4 From [ | + | 97:10.4 From [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses] to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John the Baptist] there extended an unbroken line of [[faithful]] [[teachers]] who passed the [[monotheistic]] torch of [[light]] from one [[generation]] to another while they unceasingly rebuked unscrupulous rulers, denounced commercializing [[priests]], and ever exhorted the people to adhere to the [[worship]] of the supreme [[Yahweh]], the Lord God of Israel. |
| − | 97:10.5 As a [[nation]] the Jews [[eventually]] lost their [[political]] [[identity]], but the [[Hebrew]] [[religion]] of [[sincere]] [[belief]] in the one and [[universal]] [[God]] continues to live in the hearts of the [ | + | 97:10.5 As a [[nation]] the Jews [[eventually]] lost their [[political]] [[identity]], but the [[Hebrew]] [[religion]] of [[sincere]] [[belief]] in the one and [[universal]] [[God]] continues to live in the hearts of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaspora scattered exiles]. And this [[religion]] [[survives]] because it has effectively [[functioned]] to conserve the highest [[values]] of its followers. The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Judaism Jewish religion] did preserve the [[ideals]] of a people, but it failed to foster [[progress]] and [[encourage]] [[philosophic]] [[creative]] [[discovery]] in the realms of [[truth]]. The [[Judaism|Jewish religion]] had many faults—it was deficient in [[philosophy]] and almost devoid of [[aesthetic]] [[qualities]]—but it did conserve [[moral]] [[values]]; therefore it [[persisted]]. The [[supreme]] [[Yahweh]], as compared with other [[concepts]] of [[Deity]], was clear-cut, vivid, [[personal]], and ''moral''. |
97:10.6 The [[Jews]] loved [[justice]], [[wisdom]], [[truth]], and [[righteousness]] as have few peoples, but they contributed least of all peoples to the [[intellectual]] [[comprehension]] and to the [[spiritual]] [[understanding]] of these [[divine]] [[qualities]]. Though [[Hebrew]] [[theology]] refused to expand, it played an important part in the [[development]] of two other world religions, [[Christianity]] and [[Mohammedanism]]. | 97:10.6 The [[Jews]] loved [[justice]], [[wisdom]], [[truth]], and [[righteousness]] as have few peoples, but they contributed least of all peoples to the [[intellectual]] [[comprehension]] and to the [[spiritual]] [[understanding]] of these [[divine]] [[qualities]]. Though [[Hebrew]] [[theology]] refused to expand, it played an important part in the [[development]] of two other world religions, [[Christianity]] and [[Mohammedanism]]. | ||
| − | 97:10.7 The [ | + | 97:10.7 The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Judaism Jewish religion] [[persisted]] also because of its [[institutions]]. It is difficult for [[religion]] to [[survive]] as the [[private]] [[practice]] of isolated [[individuals]]. This has ever been the error of the [[religious]] [[leaders]]: Seeing the [[evils]] of [[institutionalized]] [[religion]], they seek to destroy the [[technique]] of [[group]] functioning. In place of destroying all [[ritual]], they would do better to reform it. In this respect [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezekiel Ezekiel] was wiser than his contemporaries; though he joined with them in insisting on [[personal]] [[moral]] [[responsibility]], he also set about to [[establish]] the [[faithful]] observance of a superior and [[purified]] [[ritual]]. |
| − | 97:10.8 And thus the [[successive]] [[teachers]] of [[Israel]] accomplished the greatest feat in the [[evolution]] of [[religion]] ever to be effected on [[Urantia]]: the [[gradual]] but continuous [[transformation]] of the [[barbaric]] [[concept]] of the savage [[demon]] [[Yahweh]], the [[jealous]] and cruel spirit god of the fulminating [ | + | 97:10.8 And thus the [[successive]] [[teachers]] of [[Israel]] accomplished the greatest feat in the [[evolution]] of [[religion]] ever to be effected on [[Urantia]]: the [[gradual]] but continuous [[transformation]] of the [[barbaric]] [[concept]] of the savage [[demon]] [[Yahweh]], the [[jealous]] and cruel spirit god of the fulminating [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Sinai Sinai] volcano, to the later exalted and [[supernal]] [[concept]] of the [[supreme]] [[Yahweh]], [[creator]] of all things and the [[loving]] and [[merciful]] [[Father]] of all [[mankind]]. And this Hebraic [[concept]] of [[God]] was the highest [[human]] [[visualization]] of the [[Universal Father]] up to that time when it was further enlarged and so exquisitely amplified by the [[personal]] [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents#Part_IV._The_Life_and_Teachings_of_Jesus teachings and life example] of [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_20#20:5._BESTOWAL_OF_THE_PARADISE_SONS_OF_GOD his Son], [[Michael]] of [[Nebadon]]. |
97:10.9 Presented by a [[Melchizedek]] of [[Nebadon]]. | 97:10.9 Presented by a [[Melchizedek]] of [[Nebadon]]. | ||
| − | <center>[ | + | <center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_97 Go to Paper 97]</center> |
| − | <center>[ | + | <center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center> |
[[Category:Paper 97 - Evolution of the God Concept Among the Hebrews]] | [[Category:Paper 97 - Evolution of the God Concept Among the Hebrews]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:35, 12 December 2020
97:10.1 Their leaders had taught the Israelites that they were a chosen people, not for special indulgence and monopoly of divine favor, but for the special service of carrying the truth of the one God over all to every nation. And they had promised the Jews that, if they would fulfill this destiny, they would become the spiritual leaders of all peoples, and that the coming Messiah would reign over them and all the world as the Prince of Peace.
97:10.2 When the Jews had been freed by the Persians, they returned to Palestine only to fall into bondage to their own priest-ridden code of laws, sacrifices, and rituals. And as the Hebrew clans rejected the wonderful story of God presented in the farewell oration of Moses[1] for the rituals of sacrifice and penance, so did these remnants of the Hebrew nation reject the magnificent concept of the second Isaiah for the rules, regulations, and rituals of their growing priesthood.
97:10.3 National egotism, false faith in a misconceived promised Messiah, and the increasing bondage and tyranny of the priesthood forever silenced the voices of the spiritual leaders (excepting Daniel, Ezekiel, Haggai, and Malachi); and from that day to the time of John the Baptist all Israel experienced an increasing spiritual retrogression. But the Jews never lost the concept of the Universal Father; even to the twentieth century after Christ they have continued to follow this Deity conception.
97:10.4 From Moses to John the Baptist there extended an unbroken line of faithful teachers who passed the monotheistic torch of light from one generation to another while they unceasingly rebuked unscrupulous rulers, denounced commercializing priests, and ever exhorted the people to adhere to the worship of the supreme Yahweh, the Lord God of Israel.
97:10.5 As a nation the Jews eventually lost their political identity, but the Hebrew religion of sincere belief in the one and universal God continues to live in the hearts of the scattered exiles. And this religion survives because it has effectively functioned to conserve the highest values of its followers. The Jewish religion did preserve the ideals of a people, but it failed to foster progress and encourage philosophic creative discovery in the realms of truth. The Jewish religion had many faults—it was deficient in philosophy and almost devoid of aesthetic qualities—but it did conserve moral values; therefore it persisted. The supreme Yahweh, as compared with other concepts of Deity, was clear-cut, vivid, personal, and moral.
97:10.6 The Jews loved justice, wisdom, truth, and righteousness as have few peoples, but they contributed least of all peoples to the intellectual comprehension and to the spiritual understanding of these divine qualities. Though Hebrew theology refused to expand, it played an important part in the development of two other world religions, Christianity and Mohammedanism.
97:10.7 The Jewish religion persisted also because of its institutions. It is difficult for religion to survive as the private practice of isolated individuals. This has ever been the error of the religious leaders: Seeing the evils of institutionalized religion, they seek to destroy the technique of group functioning. In place of destroying all ritual, they would do better to reform it. In this respect Ezekiel was wiser than his contemporaries; though he joined with them in insisting on personal moral responsibility, he also set about to establish the faithful observance of a superior and purified ritual.
97:10.8 And thus the successive teachers of Israel accomplished the greatest feat in the evolution of religion ever to be effected on Urantia: the gradual but continuous transformation of the barbaric concept of the savage demon Yahweh, the jealous and cruel spirit god of the fulminating Sinai volcano, to the later exalted and supernal concept of the supreme Yahweh, creator of all things and the loving and merciful Father of all mankind. And this Hebraic concept of God was the highest human visualization of the Universal Father up to that time when it was further enlarged and so exquisitely amplified by the personal teachings and life example of his Son, Michael of Nebadon.
97:10.9 Presented by a Melchizedek of Nebadon.
