29.03.2013 Views

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

to <strong>the</strong> Temple, when <strong>the</strong> prescribed days were<br />

completed.^ <strong>The</strong> ceremony at <strong>the</strong> redemption <strong>of</strong> a<br />

firstborn son was, no doabt| more simple than that<br />

at present in use. It consisted <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> formal<br />

presentation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> child to <strong>the</strong> priest, accompanied<br />

by two short 'benedictions'—^<strong>the</strong> one for <strong>the</strong> law<br />

<strong>of</strong> redemption, <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r for <strong>the</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> a firstborn<br />

son, after which <strong>the</strong> redemption-money was paid.*<br />

Most solemn, as in such a place, <strong>and</strong> remembering<br />

its sjrmbolic significance as <strong>the</strong> expression <strong>of</strong><br />

Grod's claim over each family in Israel, most this<br />

rite have been.<br />

As regards <strong>the</strong> rite at <strong>the</strong> purification <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mo<strong>the</strong>r,<br />

<strong>the</strong> scantiness <strong>of</strong> information has led to serious<br />

misstatements. Any comparison with onr modem<br />

'churching' <strong>of</strong> women' is inapplicable, since <strong>the</strong><br />

latter consists <strong>of</strong> thanksgiving, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> former<br />

primarily <strong>of</strong> a sin-<strong>of</strong>fering for <strong>the</strong> Levitical<br />

defilement symbolically attacUng to <strong>the</strong> beginning<br />

<strong>of</strong> life, <strong>and</strong> a burnt-<strong>of</strong>fering, that marked <strong>the</strong><br />

restoration <strong>of</strong> communion with God. Besides, as<br />

already stated, <strong>the</strong> sacrifice for purification might

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!