Is it even possible that a book authored by Moses

[PJM]

Is it even possible that a book authored by Moses still as merit and application today?

"Deut.4

[2] You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it; that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you"

Deut.18:
"[15] “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brethren – him you shall heed – [16] just as you desired of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, or see this great fire any more, lest I die.' [17] And the LORD said to me, They have rightly said all that they have spoken. [18] I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brethren; and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. [19] And whoever will not give heed to my words which he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him. [20] But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’
[21] And if you say in your heart, `How may we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?’ – [22] when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously, you need not be afraid of him.”

God Bless you,
Patrick

 

[meltzerboy]

Is it even possible that a book authored by Moses still as merit and application today?

"Deut.4

[2] You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it; that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you"

Deut.18:
"[15] “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brethren – him you shall heed – [16] just as you desired of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, or see this great fire any more, lest I die.' [17] And the LORD said to me, They have rightly said all that they have spoken. [18] I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brethren; and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. [19] And whoever will not give heed to my words which he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him. [20] But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’
[21] And if you say in your heart, `How may we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?’ – [22] when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously, you need not be afraid of him.”

God Bless you,
Patrick

The Jewish interpretation of the passage is twofold: first, it is a preparation for the Jewish people to accept a prophet after the demise of Moses, which he himself was able to foretell; and second, it is a warning against false prophets who are likely to arise after the passing of Moses, as the verses which follow speak of. The context of the passage also includes the preceding verses, which warn the Jewish people not to fall into the ways of the pagan Canaanites, who believed in the prophecies of astrologers and such.

Based on the above, the passage does NOT refer to the coming of the Messiah in the distant future, contrary to what some Christians believe, nor the coming of the prophet Mohammad, even later, which some Muslims believe is the proper interpretation.

Does this passage have ramifications for today? I think so, in that we should always be skeptical of those leaders who claim to be what they are not and make false promises.

 

[Neofight]

Because they are a significant part of the Salvation Plan, they certainly are relevant…although, as stated in CCC 115-117, we have to consider not only the literal sense of the writings, but also the spiritual sense (moral, analogical, and anagogical)…and there are plenty of moral lessons still relevant, lots of analogies, and a ton of anagogical meaning in the books.

A fun questions might be, “Is it even possible that a book WAS authored by Moses”? After all, aren’t they more often referred to as the books OF Moses, and not the books BY Moses…clearly he did NOT write the complete book of Deuteronomy.

 

[meltzerboy]

Because they are a significant part of the Salvation Plan, they certainly are relevant…although, as stated in CCC 115-117, we have to consider not only the literal sense of the writings, but also the spiritual sense (moral, analogical, and anagogical)…and there are plenty of moral lessons still relevant, lots of analogies, and a ton of anagogical meaning in the books.

A fun questions might be, “Is it even possible that a book WAS authored by Moses”? After all, aren’t they more often referred to as the books OF Moses, and not the books BY Moses…clearly he did NOT write the complete book of Deuteronomy.

According to (most) Orthodox Jews, Moses certainly did write the first five books of the Hebrew Bible through the inspiration of G-d, including all of Deuteronomy, in which he foretells his own passing.

 

[Neofight]

According to (most) Orthodox Jews, Moses certainly did write the first five books of the Hebrew Bible through the inspiration of G-d, including all of Deuteronomy, in which he foretells his own passing.

Yes, of course…I understand that…and did not mean any disrespect to the Jewish faith. I was trying to see if I would drive anyone to read the scriptures close enough to see that it would have been difficult for Moses to write Deuteronomy 34:5-12, since he died in verse 4.

Peace and all good!

 

[irenaeuslyons]

Yes, of course…I understand that…and did not mean any disrespect to the Jewish faith. I was trying to see if I would drive anyone to read the scriptures close enough to see that it would have been difficult for Moses to write Deuteronomy 34:5-12, since he died in verse 4.

Peace and all good!

Unless you consider those verses being the hand of Moses foretelling his own passing at the very end of the Torah…

 

[thistle]

D-R Bible, Haydock Commentary:

Ver. 5. Died there. This last chapter of Deuteronomy, in which the death of Moses is related, was written by Josue, or by some of the prophets. (Challoner) — Josephus ([Antiquities] iv. 9.), Philo, and Origen (contra Cels. ii. p. 95,) believe, however, that Moses wrote the account of his own death. See preface to Deuteronomy. (Haydock) — Moab, which had formerly belonged to that nation. (Menochius) — Commandment. Hebrew literally, “the mouth.” The Rabbins say God kissed him, and thus released his soul. Some have nevertheless pretended that Moses was translated, like Elias, without dying. (Chaldean; Catharin; &c.) But his death and burial are too clearly mentioned in Scripture. St. Jerome (in Amos viii.) seems, at first view, to countenance the former opinion: but he only speaks of a spiritual translation, and not of the body. (Calmet) — Josephus thinks that it was to prevent this mistake, that Moses wrote this chapter.

 

[PJM]

=Neofight;12717801]Because they are a significant part of the Salvation Plan, they certainly are relevant…although, as stated in CCC 115-117, we have to consider not only the literal sense of the writings, but also the spiritual sense (moral, analogical, and anagogical)…and there are plenty of moral lessons still relevant, lots of analogies, and a ton of anagogical meaning in the books.

A fun questions might be, “Is it even possible that a book WAS authored by Moses”? After all, aren’t they more often referred to as the books OF Moses, and not the books BY Moses…clearly he did NOT write the complete book of Deuteronomy.

Great post, thanks

Patrick

 

[Ignatius]

Is it even possible that a book authored by Moses still as merit and application today?

I can think of only one set of circumstances in which that would be so.
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The particular Scripture would have to be inspired by God.