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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

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

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darker, nor have even <strong>the</strong> terrible storms, which<br />

have burst over Israel, reft <strong>the</strong> canopy <strong>of</strong> cloud.<br />

<strong>The</strong> first captivity passed, why not <strong>the</strong> second ?<br />

This is <strong>the</strong> piainful question ever <strong>and</strong> again<br />

discussed by <strong>the</strong> Babbis.* Can <strong>the</strong>y mean it<br />

seriously, that <strong>the</strong> • j«. sins <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> second, are more<br />

grievous than those which caused <strong>the</strong> e^lbotpw<br />

first dispersion; or that <strong>the</strong>y <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first captivity<br />

repented, but not mrt; sanh. <strong>the</strong>y <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> second?<br />

What constitutes this repentance which yet remains<br />

to be made? But <strong>the</strong> reasoning becomes absolutely<br />

self-contradictory when, toge<strong>the</strong>r with <strong>the</strong><br />

assertion that, if Israel re*-pented but one day, <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>Messiah</strong> would come,* we are told, that Israel<br />

oJ^^;.**J^ . will not repent till Elijah comes.^<br />

Besides, bold as <strong>the</strong> language is, J%7^^ <strong>the</strong>re is<br />

truth in <strong>the</strong> expostulation, which <strong>the</strong> Midrash^ puts<br />

into <strong>the</strong> swih.w« mouth <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> congregation <strong>of</strong><br />

Israel: ' Lord <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world, it depends B^ei.4S, on<br />

<strong>The</strong>e that we repent.' Such truth, that, although at<br />

first <strong>the</strong> 4 q^ j^,^ ^ Divine reply is a repetition <strong>of</strong><br />

Zechar. i. 3, yet, when Israel reiterates ^'Jji. tou <strong>the</strong><br />

words, * Turn Thou us unto <strong>The</strong>e, 0 Lord, <strong>and</strong> we

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