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Post by Mark on Sept 18, 2008 3:43:52 GMT -8
Reuel's been pretty busy these days so I don't think he'll mind me answering for him in this case. Traditionally, the Tree of Life is what represents  . In fact, after the reading of the , a traditional song is sang called, "Etz Chayim He" "It is a tree of life to those who take hold of it, and those who support it are praiseworthy. Its ways are ways of pleasantness and all its paths are peace. Bring us back, Adonai, to You, and we shall come, renew our days as of old." The two trees are representative of the decision that was set before us at Ebal and Garzim: the blessings and the curses. They represent choosing a relationship with God or choosing independence. |
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Post by Mark on Sept 18, 2008 3:59:37 GMT -8
The idea of "drinking blood" is found in the Old Testament and carries the idea of dominance, or more accurately reaping the benefit of another's loss or sacrifice. It was first used by Bilaam in his prophecy to Balak
Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.
(Numbers 23:24)
but was also a phrase used by King David:
And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.
(2 Samuel 23:17)
Finally, it is used by Adonai in His prophecy through Ezekiel, that Israel will dominate over her enemies
And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood. Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan. And ye shall eat fat till ye be full, and drink blood till ye be drunken, of my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you. Thus ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord GOD.
(Ezekiel 39:17-20)
In Messiah's contexts (John 6:53 and Luke 22:20), this phrase represents the people reeping the benefits of His sacrifice and given the Old Testament prescendent for the phrase would easily be understood as such.
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Post by Mark on Sept 18, 2008 4:08:36 GMT -8
Probably the easiest answer for the acknowledgment of Messiah as being God is Isaiah 9:6.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
The child is generally understood to be speaking of the Messiah. (at least until Rashi redefined it for us). Yet, repeatedly, in Hebrew, it is Adonai, Himself, who identifies Himself as our Mashiakh.
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Post by rupert on Sept 28, 2008 3:50:43 GMT -8
There are two things I've wondered about. I'm not denying that either one is true, but I'm curious about what in TaNaKH prepares us for: Mashiakh being Ben YHWH and for drinking Mashiakh's blood? Shalom, David This compound query caught my attention. In addition to the explanation by Reuel, to accept Mashiakh would first require recognition of dire need for His prophesied provisions to us. Wouldn't the writings of Isaiah provide a good start for preparation of understanding Mashiakh as Ben YHWH and thereby ready us for accepting his "remez"? Secondly, as Mark mentioned that drinking the blood of another refers to enjoying benefits afforded through the expenditure of another's life, we can similarly understand the benefits afforded us by "eating the flesh of Meshiakh" metaphorically. |
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. In fact, after the reading of the 
