Matthew 8:1-4
A man, being healed of his leprosy, was told by Jesus to go to the priests and present the gift TO THEM as spoken of by Moses. I do believe this to be allegorical and purposely inserted for lesson purposes as well as to see who actually even is paying attention to what is now referred to as the old testament (which Jesus DOES specifically make mention of metaphorically as being better than the new
Luke 5:37-39).
Now… here is the thing, in both exodus and deuteronomy it is commanded to not receive gifts, for they pervert the eyes of righteous judgment. Offerings for the house of God are allowed by the children, but gifts of strangers is a no-no.
Next, in the Laws given by Moses, the only gifts that I can find that are acceptable are those of service.
ahem
Most interesting is what is said regarding the gifts given by Abraham. This is found in Genesis 25:1-6
He gave ALL he had to his son Isaac… to the concubines and their children, he gave gifts so as to send them away from his son (in other words, trying to bribe them so they would keep their greedy hands off of what he gave to his son).
The Christians have the memory of Jesus they can worship. Why is it then so many still seek to replace the Jewish? Is it not enough, the New Testament? Why, if you are given this Jewish man, is it not enough? Why insult the Jewish by saying things such as, “when you convert you will then be a completed Jew?” (which I have seen spoken on this board by Catholics as well other Christians, and even in many other places across the internet). Often it is done when a Jew is VERY graciously trying to bring Light to the distorted views held by Christians… they are offering gold and they are being rejected in the most foolish way by those they are bringing Light to.
That is exactly what Abraham was trying to avoid by handing the concubines and their children the gifts… to get them away from his son, born of the woman who was his beloved. The Son, the People, is having to come to you all now to shed Light on the matter because the Christians have not thought the gift given good enough and are busy trying to convert the Jewish to Christianity. At least, this is my perception of what is happening.
Jesus apparently agrees… just read Matthew 15:4-9. Many of those who say such things about the Jewish, that they are only complete when they accept the doctrines of Christianity (though which one is anyone’s guess), will also admit that Jesus was correct when he said “salvation is of the Jews.” … how then is that an acceptable gift according to the Law of Moses? If Catholicism is born from Judaism (as they claim, though in honesty, the two are worlds apart), how is that honoring your parent to disregard the Light that was promised to you (not sacrifice… that was NOT the Light)?
Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought more to Abraham than do those saying they are the replacement of the Jewish, the children of Abraham. That’d be found in Genesis 14.
I am beside myself to figure out how the sacrifice of a Jew along with insulting judgments of the Jewish is actually considered acceptable gifts. Could you imagine someone taking one of your children, sacrificing him/her, and then having them offer that child to you whilst demanding you accept them as one of your own … and then of course, let us not forget that they tell you that you will only be a complete
insert father’s last name once you accept your dead child back that they are offering to you?
Insane, no? Or am I wrong… would any one here willingly accept such treatment if your family was the one being treated as the Jewish are being treated?
