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The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

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Pesiqta <strong>and</strong> Tanchuma (Zunz^ u. s. pp. 181,234).<br />

Besides, th^ oldest portions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Jewish liturgy<br />

are tuU <strong>of</strong> Messiamc aspintiona*<br />

)O0K be lost in <strong>the</strong> contemplation <strong>of</strong> its details.<br />

This danger was <strong>the</strong> H greater from <strong>the</strong> absence <strong>of</strong><br />

any deeper spiritual elements. All that<br />

""" Israel needed: * study <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Law <strong>and</strong> good<br />

works/ lay within <strong>the</strong> reach <strong>of</strong> every one; <strong>and</strong> all<br />

that Israel hoped for, was national restoration <strong>and</strong><br />

glory. Everything else was but means to <strong>the</strong>se<br />

ends; <strong>the</strong> <strong>Messiah</strong> Himself only <strong>the</strong> gr<strong>and</strong><br />

instrument in attaining <strong>the</strong>m. Thus viewed, <strong>the</strong><br />

picture presented would be <strong>of</strong> Israel's exaltation,<br />

ra<strong>the</strong>r than <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> salvation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world. To this,<br />

<strong>and</strong> to <strong>the</strong> idea <strong>of</strong> Israel's exclusive spiritual<br />

position in <strong>the</strong> world, must be traced much, that<br />

o<strong>the</strong>rwise would seem utterly irrational in <strong>the</strong><br />

Rabbinic pictures <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> latter days. But in such a<br />

picture <strong>the</strong>re would be nei<strong>the</strong>r room nor occasion<br />

for a <strong>Messiah</strong>-Saviour, in <strong>the</strong> only sense in which<br />

such a heavenly mission could be rational, or <strong>the</strong>

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