Post by alon on Nov 22, 2017 20:10:50 GMT -8
Dr. Lizorkin-Eyzenberg is more an apologist for Christianity than Messianic. So his commentaries must be taken with a lot of discernment. Still, he does have some knowledge, and these d’rashot are free. So here is his d’rash, with my commentary to follow.
To Eat or Not to Eat By Prof. Pinchas Shir and Dr. Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg
Revelation contains seven letters intended for the seven assemblies of Christ-followers in the Roman province of Lydia. Some of the recipients were Jews, but most were not. To the seventh assembly, in the city of Laodicea he says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev 3:20).
Some Christians, while addressing a seeker, say: “Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart. Open it for him and he will come into your heart.” However, the people of this assembly already know God. They are in fact believers whose lifestyle does not allow for true fellowship with the Jewish Messiah and other (probably Jewish) followers of Jesus. (This critical fact that table fellowship was a sign of true social intimacy in the ancient world is usually overlooked).
Jews did not eat when they visited the houses of their Gentile acquaintances, because Gentiles partook of the types of foods forbidden by
and did not avoid purchasing foods already offered to Roman deities in the market (Jews had no problem eating in their own homes with Gentiles, where the commitment to purity required by was guaranteed).
Jesus’ rebuke is harsh, yet offers incredible hope. Laodicean Christ-followers must abandon their pagan ways or face judgment. But if they bring themselves into compliance with the letter of the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) that reminds Gentile believers of of the requirements for sojourners with Israel, the Judean Messiah Jesus will visit their homes personally in order to have an intimate fellowship around the table together with them. There was no greater privilege for Jew or Gentile alike!
Comment on the Commentary by me
First off, let’s look at the assumption that most of the “recipients” of this letter were non-Jews. This is based in the Christian assumption that there was an early church before the 2nd cen CE, and that it was almost completely Gentile. The earliest church father was not born until the later 1st cen, and there was no cohesion in churches or their beliefs until the 3rd and 4th centuries. What they call “the church” was actually synagogues founded by Jews displaced in the Roman diaspora. Any Gentiles there would have been proselytes to the Jewish sect of the Nots’rim. And in any event, the letters would have been addressed to the synagogue leadership, who would have been Jewish. However a reading of those letters does prove him correct that some of the local Gentile ways were gaining sway in these synagogues.
The second paragraph is true, and the third mostly true. However Judaism in the 1st cen CE was marked by many extremist sects. These sects for the most part would not dine with anyone outside their own sect under any circumstances. This is where the idea that Jews would not eat with non-Jews comes from. But Jewish custom for the most part was they could dine with Gentiles if the home had no idols and they knew where the food was coming from. The deuterocanonical book of Judith for example tells of the Jewish heroin eating with the enemy general for the purpose of killing him. She had her handmaid prepare and serve her food. Still, she ate at his table and in his tent.
This is important to understand, otherwise we’d have to conclude that those Jews in the seven synagogues were sinning just having fellowship with the Gentile converts. We must also look at this in light of the ruling of Peter’s vision in Acts 10 and the Jerusalem Council decision in Acts 15, establishing the four things necessary for Gentiles to adhere to in order to be in fellowship. There must have been a lot of contention as well as confusion with Gentiles being admitted into their congregations. And human nature is to cling to our old ways- especially for us ex-Gentiles. Some Jews probably were seduced to these ways as well. Sin is, after all, enticing; at least at the first.
The conclusion (last paragraph) is correct, though it could have been more emphatically stated. The authors say “if they bring themselves into compliance with the letter of the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) that reminds Gentile believers of of the requirements for sojourners with Israel, the Judean Messiah Jesus will visit their homes personally in order to have an intimate fellowship.” It is easy to read past the part that says those four requirements “reminds Gentile believers of of the requirements for sojourners with Israel.” And what are those requirements?
Exodus 12:49 (NKJV) One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you.”
The word “law” there is (Strongs H3384). That is the requirement if you are to sojourn with Israel; you will adhere to . The Jerusalem council only said start here and grow in knowledge and obedience (paraphrased). So those letters encouraged the Jews to return to observance, and the proselytes to press on in becoming observant. One law for everyone in the seven assemblies; and one law for any assembly today which wishes a closer walk with El Elohe Yisroel. If you have accepted Yeshua as the Mesiah, He stands at your door knocking; calling you to re-examine and follow His .
Dan C
To Eat or Not to Eat By Prof. Pinchas Shir and Dr. Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg
Revelation contains seven letters intended for the seven assemblies of Christ-followers in the Roman province of Lydia. Some of the recipients were Jews, but most were not. To the seventh assembly, in the city of Laodicea he says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev 3:20).
Some Christians, while addressing a seeker, say: “Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart. Open it for him and he will come into your heart.” However, the people of this assembly already know God. They are in fact believers whose lifestyle does not allow for true fellowship with the Jewish Messiah and other (probably Jewish) followers of Jesus. (This critical fact that table fellowship was a sign of true social intimacy in the ancient world is usually overlooked).
Jews did not eat when they visited the houses of their Gentile acquaintances, because Gentiles partook of the types of foods forbidden by
and did not avoid purchasing foods already offered to Roman deities in the market (Jews had no problem eating in their own homes with Gentiles, where the commitment to purity required by was guaranteed).Jesus’ rebuke is harsh, yet offers incredible hope. Laodicean Christ-followers must abandon their pagan ways or face judgment. But if they bring themselves into compliance with the letter of the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) that reminds Gentile believers of
of the requirements for sojourners with Israel, the Judean Messiah Jesus will visit their homes personally in order to have an intimate fellowship around the table together with them. There was no greater privilege for Jew or Gentile alike!Comment on the Commentary by me
First off, let’s look at the assumption that most of the “recipients” of this letter were non-Jews. This is based in the Christian assumption that there was an early church before the 2nd cen CE, and that it was almost completely Gentile. The earliest church father was not born until the later 1st cen, and there was no cohesion in churches or their beliefs until the 3rd and 4th centuries. What they call “the church” was actually synagogues founded by Jews displaced in the Roman diaspora. Any Gentiles there would have been proselytes to the Jewish sect of the Nots’rim. And in any event, the letters would have been addressed to the synagogue leadership, who would have been Jewish. However a reading of those letters does prove him correct that some of the local Gentile ways were gaining sway in these synagogues.
The second paragraph is true, and the third mostly true. However Judaism in the 1st cen CE was marked by many extremist sects. These sects for the most part would not dine with anyone outside their own sect under any circumstances. This is where the idea that Jews would not eat with non-Jews comes from. But Jewish custom for the most part was they could dine with Gentiles if the home had no idols and they knew where the food was coming from. The deuterocanonical book of Judith for example tells of the Jewish heroin eating with the enemy general for the purpose of killing him. She had her handmaid prepare and serve her food. Still, she ate at his table and in his tent.
This is important to understand, otherwise we’d have to conclude that those Jews in the seven synagogues were sinning just having fellowship with the Gentile converts. We must also look at this in light of the ruling of Peter’s vision in Acts 10 and the Jerusalem Council decision in Acts 15, establishing the four things necessary for Gentiles to adhere to in order to be in fellowship. There must have been a lot of contention as well as confusion with Gentiles being admitted into their congregations. And human nature is to cling to our old ways- especially for us ex-Gentiles. Some Jews probably were seduced to these ways as well. Sin is, after all, enticing; at least at the first.
The conclusion (last paragraph) is correct, though it could have been more emphatically stated. The authors say “if they bring themselves into compliance with the letter of the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) that reminds Gentile believers of
of the requirements for sojourners with Israel, the Judean Messiah Jesus will visit their homes personally in order to have an intimate fellowship.” It is easy to read past the part that says those four requirements “reminds Gentile believers of of the requirements for sojourners with Israel.” And what are those requirements?Exodus 12:49 (NKJV) One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you.”
The word “law” there is
(Strongs H3384). That is the requirement if you are to sojourn with Israel; you will adhere to . The Jerusalem council only said start here and grow in knowledge and obedience (paraphrased). So those letters encouraged the Jews to return to observance, and the proselytes to press on in becoming observant. One law for everyone in the seven assemblies; and one law for any assembly today which wishes a closer walk with El Elohe Yisroel. If you have accepted Yeshua as the Mesiah, He stands at your door knocking; calling you to re-examine and follow His .Dan C
