Yom Kippur

  

At Timna, in southern Israel, is a reconstruction of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness. To the left is a picture of the outside of the tabernacle. The Ark of the Covenant, covered by the Mercy Seat, was in the Most Holy Place.

Guest Blogger: Imelda Quibin

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the sixth of the seven Feasts of the Lord. According to the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur falls seven days after Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year).

Old Testament References

Leviticus 16 is about the Scapegoat. “And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness. And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities” (Leviticus 16:21-22).

“And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God” (Leviticus 23:26-32).

Many verses, especially in Leviticus and Numbers, taught the children of Israel how to strictly observe the Day of Atonement. It was a day of contrition, repentance, a day for sins to be atoned by God.

(Sylvia's Note: "Yom" is Hebrew for "day." The root word of "Kippur" means "to cover or hide." It also means "to obliterate." A similar Hebrew word is "Kapporet," which means "Mercy Seat.")

Current Jewish Practices on Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur is a solemn day of fasting. When my employer hears the word "Latsum" (the Hebrew word for “fasting”), she automatically responds, “I’m exempt!” Old people, young children, and servants are exempt from fasting.

Public and private vehicles are not seen on the streets, aside from police and medical emergency vehicles.

Nowadays, each religious sect of Jews observes the Day of Atonement differently. My employer is a 96-year-old non-observant Jew from Europe. She is Ashkenazi by origin. She cannot move from her house to the synagogue so an older family member comes to her home. He brings very old coins, maybe from their ancestors. He puts the coins in a plastic bag and waves them over the head of my employer as he recites some prayers.

I asked my employer’s granddaughter, “Why coins?” She explained to me that they do this to ask God’s forgiveness. She said that God’s forgiveness cannot be bought for any amount of money. That is very true; we can't bribe the LORD JESUS.

Some ultra-orthodox Jews like Haridim perform the "kapparot" ritual, synonymous to that of the scapegoat. They wave a live chicken over the heads of their loved ones to transfer the individual's sins to the animal. The chicken is then slaughtered and donated to the poor, or the family shares it. (Some people, like my employer, use coins instead of a chicken.)

Jesus Christ as the Atonement
“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28). What a great promise LORD JESUS! We do not have to receive atonement for our sins every year but we are washed completely by your precious BLOOD. We just have to repent of our sins, and continue in our walk with Him until His second appearing, as the above verse implies. There are many other verses in the Scripture about the Atonement; even the prophet Isaiah prophesied about this.

Yom Kippur, 1973

 
   

In 1973, Syria from the Northeast and Egypt from the South, backed by other Arab countries, invaded Israel on Yom Kippur. They took advantage of the one day of the year when nearly all Israelis would be indoors, resting, fasting, and praying. Many soldiers left their posts to spend the day with their families. Public transportation and broadcasting were shut down in observance of that day. However, some analysts believe that the surprise attack was to the Israelis' advantage. The roads were clear to mobilize forces and broadcasting was free to focus the public's attention on the conflict. The war lasted just under three weeks, from October 6 to October 25. In the end, Israel resisted the invasion and pushed back the Arab forces.

We visited Mount Bental in the Golan Heights. This was a strategic point during the 1973 war. As Syria tried to invade their land, the Israelis defended Mount Bental. The Syrians had 1,500 tanks to Israel's 160 and 1,000 artillery pieces to Israel's 60. The battle was brutal and casualties were high but in the end, Israel still controlled the Golan Heights. Between Mount Bental and Mount Hermon to the north is a long valley. It came to be called Kuneitra Valley, or Valley of Tears.

The Israelis overtook the Syrian town of Kuneitra during the war in the most interesting way. On the final day of the war, a Syrian broadcast announced that Kuneitra, the Syrian headquarters for the area, had fallen to the Israelis. It hadn't, but the Syrian soldiers didn't know that, so they retreated further into Syria. The Israelis then captured Kuneitra without a fight. A ceasefire was called and the Yom Kippur War officially came to an end. What remains of Kuneitra lies in a demilitarized zone between the two nations.

Interestingly, Paul's dramatic encounter with the Lord on the Damascus Road is traditionally believed to be in Kokab, a village to the northeast of Kuneitra.

We walked through the old bunkers and trenches, some of them pockmarked, mute reminders of the blood that was shed in this area in October of 1973.

The view from the top of Mount Bental is beautiful. On a clear day the observant eye can see far into the distance. A weathered signpost points to regional cities - Damascus, Amman, Baghdad - and tells the distance to those places. A United Nations compound in the valley is easily observed. They are there to maintain the sometimes volatile, paper-thin relationship between Israel and Syria.

On top of Mount Bental, it is easy to understand why the Israelis founght so hard to retain the Golan Heights. They are a formidable mountain range, a natural defense barrier, a protective wall.The Golan Heights are towering mountains of rock which rise steeply and immediately from the valley floor. I am a far cry from a military analyst, but after seeing the terrain, I presume that whoever holds the Golan also controls the area around it, and that is what makes the Golan Heights worth dying for.

       

A Rose-Red City - Part Five (Final)

  

Petra: Past, Present, and Future
Petra is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Its eclectic blend of architectural styles, combined with the sheer wonder of its creation, make Petra an amazing place to visit. In 1993, King Hussein of Jordan said, “Petra is a stunning physical monument from ancient times, but it is also much more than that; it is a timeless message that speaks to us still of an eternal human capacity to dare, and therefore to achieve bold feats and beautiful wonders.”

John William Burgon, a British theologian, is remembered by history as a fierce opponent to Westcott and Hort, the two men chiefly responsible for the revision of the King James Version of the Bible. But Burgon also went down in history for his poem simply entitled Petra. Though he never visited Petra, he formulated his poem from explorers’ descriptions. The poem’s famous line describes Petra as “A rose-red city – ‘half as old as time.’”

Petra’s past connections to the land of Israel – from the Edomites to the Nabateans – have definite and important biblical links. Today, Petra serves simply as a tourist attraction. Even the Bedouins that once lived in some of Petra’s many caves have been relocated to nearby desert housing. But some people believe that Petra is only lying dormant, until it is once again inhabited. It is possible that Petra might be where the Jews will flee during a time of future tribulation. Prophecy students refer to verses such as Matthew 24:16, Isaiah 33:16, Jeremiah 49:13-14, and Micah 2:12-13 to back their supposition. Prophecy is one topic I have little interest in, so I am highly unqualified to comment on this idea. But I do know that Petra is a natural stronghold, an excellent defensive position. If I needed to suddenly escape from Jerusalem, I might head for Petra. As the crow flies, the two cities are only about 100 miles apart.

Regardless of what the future holds for Petra, its past holds many lessons for us today. We simply need to read the records of Esau, Doeg, Herod Antipas, and others. Unfortunately, it is their mistakes that provide our lesson material. But, if we take heed to their errors, we can take a different path than they chose. Past the din of tourists’ voices and camels’ bellows, Petra’s rose-red walls echo a message: "Learn, glean...remember."

  

A Rose-Red City - Part Four

Paul and Aretas IV

In II Corinthians 11:32-33, Paul recounts that “In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.”

Acts 9:1-27 gives us more background and explanation to Paul’s explanation in II Corinthians. Damascus, Syria is the setting of Paul’s dramatic conversion experience. There Paul’s physical and spiritual eyesight were restored. He was filled with the Holy Ghost and baptized. He did not immediately return to Jerusalem but he stayed “certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.” The gospel is powerful, and overnight Paul went from a persecutor of the gospel to an evangelist promoting the gospel. He went into the synagogues, places where Jews gathered to worship and learn, and “preached Christ.”

As is usually the case, not everyone was thrilled about Paul’s conversion, even though it meant that he was no longer trying to imprison and punish innocent people. So, after a while, “the Jews took counsel to kill him.” People were assigned to lay in wait for Paul, to apprehend him. But “the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket” and he escaped unharmed. This account is similar to how Rahab helped Joshua’s two spies escape from Jericho. “Then she let them down by a cord through the window; for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall” (Joshua 2:15). In Bible days, domestic dwellings were built along the rock walls of the city. Small openings, or windows, made it possible for such escapes.

Aretas IV was the king of the Nabatean kingdom of Petra and the surrounding area. An article in the Jewish Encyclopedia says this about Aretas IV: “Being the most powerful neighbor of Judea, he frequently took part in the state affairs of that country, and was influential in shaping the destiny of its rulers.” Aretas IV was father-in-law to Herod Antipas. It is likely that Aretas IV may have favored this marriage to encourage political harmony with Israel and Rome.

Damascus was under the control of Aretas IV. Apparently, the Jews appealed to the ruling government leaders to assist them in apprehending Paul. Exactly how much involvement Aretas IV had in this plan is unknown, for Scripture and history are silent on the subject. But the connection is clear. The governor who worked under the authority of Aretas IV was in favor of suppressing Paul’s voice as he spoke of Jesus in Jewish synagogues, assured that Aretas IV would approve of his actions. Because Aretas IV, an idolatrous king, would not have been in favor of Paul’s message.

Bibliography:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aretas_IV_Philopatris
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/1752-aretas

A Rose-Red City - Part Three

  

Herod the Great
Herod, usually called Herod the Great, reigned over the land of Israel during the time when Jesus was born. At that time, Israel was not free, but was under the domination of the powerful Roman Empire. Herod the Great’s authority to rule over Israel was given to him by the Roman Empire and he was subordinate to their commands.

Herod the Great is remembered in history for his stunning and innovative building projects. He built Caesarea Maritima on the Mediterranean coast; the aqueduct and some other structures are still standing. Driven by paranoia, he built two mountaintop fortress-palaces – Herodian and Masada - in case he needed to escape for his life. Herod also designed state-of-the-art water storage cisterns and stone conduits to transfer the water into Jerusalem. But Herod the Great’s crowning achievement was the Temple in Jerusalem. He built a massive and magnificent complex to support and surround the Temple. The Western Wall is a remnant of that structure. (Most of the Temple complex, along with almost all of Jerusalem, was destroyed by Titus in 70 A.D.)

There are many 2,000 year old relics that still exist as testimony to Herod the Great’s building achievements. One day, as I was walking through Independence Park in Jerusalem, I noticed a huge stone reservoir. Turns out that this reservoir, called Mamilla Pool, was a part of Herod the Great’s water supply system. It was linked to the Old City of Jerusalem by an underground channel. It measures 291 feet by 192 feet. It was designed to hold 30,000 cubic meters of water. Another time, as we were walking through the park, a man sat in the (dry) reservoir reading a newspaper. It was a funny sight, but I suppose it was a quiet place to read, there in the ruins of Herod the Great’s handiwork.

But Herod’s personal and political life reads like a bad dream turned into a horrific nightmare. Deceit, murder, and other abnormal behavior defined him and produced sour fruit on his family tree. He ordered the assassination of one of his wives, Mariamne I, and her mother, Alexandra. Two brothers-in-law died as a result of his insane behavior and paranoia: Aristobulus III and Kostobar. In addition, he accused three sons – Antipater III, Alexander, and Aristobulus IV – of plotting against him and they were also executed. Considering Herod the Great’s tendency to kill anyone he considered a threat to his kingship, it is not hard to believe that he ordered the death of innocent children, since he feared that one of them would someday take away his power (Matthew 2:1-19; Luke 1:5).

When we read the Bible, it is easy to get confused when we read the word “Herod” because this title belonged to several different people. Sometimes “Herod” refers to Herod the Great. Other times, it refers to one of his sons or grandsons. For well over 100 years, Herod the Great and his descendants played prominent roles in Israel’s history. When Herod the Great died, his kingdom was divided between three of his sons. Throughout the gospels and the book of Acts, the Herod family is connected to key biblical events.

Here’s a summary of the Herods mentioned in the Bible.

Herod Antipas Matthew 14:1-10; Mark 6:14-28; 8:15; Luke 3:1; 19; 9:7-9; 13:31-32; 23:6-12; Acts 13:1
This is one of Herod the Great’s sons. After his father’s death, he ruled over Galilee and Perea. (Perea is the area east of the Jordan River, in modern-day Jordan.) Herod Antipas is best known for ordering the beheading of John the Baptist.

Herod Antipas’ first wife was Phasaelis, the daughter of Aretas IV, king of the Nabateans in Petra. Herod Antipas divorced Phasaelis to marry Herodias, the wife of his half-brother Herod Philip I. Phasaelis returned to Petra. Shortly thereafter, Aretas IV and his army invaded the territory of Herod Antipas, capturing some of his holdings. Although history does not specifically say that Aretas IV’s invasion of Herod Antipas’ land was because he divorced Phasaelis, it is highly probably that Aretas IV retaliated because Herod Antipas had shamed his daughter and their family.

Because John told Herod Antipas, “It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife,” Herod Antipas put him in prison. At least on the surface, Herod Antipas liked John and listened to him, “and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.” However, Herodias was a wicked woman and, using her daughter Salome, connived a deceitful plan to trick Herod Antipas into beheading John the Baptist.

During Jesus' trial, he was brought before Pontius Pilate. When Pilate found out that Jesus was a Galilaean, he sent him to Herod Antipas, since Galilee was within his jurisdiction. Herod happened to be in Jerusalem at the time and the the Bible says that "when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracles done by him."

Was Herod Antipas sincere in wanting to listen to Jesus? Or was he just interested in watching a show of healings and miracles? Earlier in his ministry, Jesus called Herod Antipas "that fox." Perhaps Jesus knew the real intentions of Herod Antipas' heart and so "he answered him nothing." This must have infuriated Herod Antipas, so used to wielding his power and expecting his commands to be obeyed. His initial gladness turned to wrath and he and his men mocked Jesus, placing on him a "gorgeous robe." He could find no reason to sentence Jesus, so he sent Him back to Pontius Pilate.

Herod Philip I Matthew 14:3-11; Mark 6:17; Luke 3:19
This is one of Herod the Great’s sons. Herodias was married to Herod Philip I but decided to leave him and marry his brother (Herod Antipas) instead. He and Herodias had a daughter named Salome. Herod Philip I did not become involved in civil leadership. Perhaps his lack of political ambition is part of what motivated Herodias to seek a more illustrious life with Herod Antipas.

Herod Philip II Luke 3:1
This is one of Herod the Great’s sons. After his father’s death, he ruled over Ituraea and Trachonitis, modern-day Syria. Herod Philip II rebuilt Caesarea Philippi in the northern area of Israel. He married his niece Salome.

Herod Archelaus Matthew 2:22
This is one of Herod the Great’s sons. After his father’s death, he ruled over Judea, Samaria, and Idumea (Edom). During the reign of Herod the Great, Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt to escape Herod the Great’s brutal wrath. When Herod died, an angel appeared to Joseph and told him to return to Israel. But when Joseph heard that Archelaus ruled over Judea, the area that included Bethlehem, he was afraid. Then, “being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene” (Matthew 2:19-23). Herod Archelaus ruled for only two years before being banished to Gaul by Rome.

Herod Agrippa I Acts 12:1-23
This is one of Herod the Great’s grandsons. He ruled Galilee, Trachonitis, Perea, and Judea. He persecuted the New Testament church and is especially remembered for the murder of James and the imprisonment of Peter.

Herod Agrippa I sat on his throne and made a speech. People shouted and said, “It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.” The angel of the Lord smote him and he died, “because he gave not God the glory.”

Herod Agrippa II Acts 23-26
This is Herod the Great’s great-grandson, the son of Herod Agrippa I. He ruled over Chalis, in southern Lebanon and was later given authority over other areas as well. Rome issued to Herod Agrippa II the oversight of the temple in Jerusalem, and he was authorized to appoint the high priest.

Paul was being accused of the Jews when he was transferred to Caesarea Maritima for judgment before Felix, the governor of Judah. Felix was married to Drusilla, the daughter of Herod Agrippa I. They listened to Paul, and “Felix, trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” Felix was sympathetic toward Paul’s plight and was drawn by Paul’s words, but He never relinquished his will and became a Christian. He kept Paul in prison.

After two years, Festus succeeded Felix as governor. He brought Paul before him for trial and Paul was again accused by the Jews. During this time, Herod Agrippa II and his sister Bernice came to visit Festus in Caesarea Maritima. Herod Agrippa II decided to hear Paul himself. Paul described his conversion and concluded his statements with a gripping question directed to Herod Agrippa II. “King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”

History tells us that Herod Agrippa II had been raised and educated in Rome. So his sympathies must have favored Rome rather than the Jews, for, during the Jewish rebellion against Rome, he sided with Rome. After Jerusalem was destroyed by Titus in 70 A.D., Herod Agrippa II returned unscathed to Rome, where he lived out the rest of his days.

Herod Agrippa II was the last member of the Herodian dynasty. Four generations of his family had been in direct contact with opportunities to welcome and embrace the Messiah. Herod the Great could have met baby Jesus, but he tried to destroy Him instead. Herod Antipas had personal audiences with John the Baptist. Herod Agrippa I chose to persecute the new church. And Herod Agrippa II was taught by the great apostle Paul. So many opportunities to turn a dysfunctional, mixed-up family into something good. So much rejection of the one thing that could help them.

Herod the Great was not really a Jew. His father – Antipater – was an Idumean. His mother – Kufro – was a Nabatean. History records that Herod the Great spent most of his childhood in Petra.

Idumean was the Greek word for Edomite. Herod the Great and his descendants were actually Edomites.

Herod the Great’s father was forced to convert to Judaism by John Hyrcanus. I asked Rachel, a tour guide at the Second Temple (Herod's Temple) Model, if she considered Herod a true Jew. She did not seem to want to answer but, without elaboration, she abruptly said, “If you’ve converted to Judaism, you’re Jewish.” Yet, the Jews of his time did not like Herod the Great, not just because he was partial to Rome, but because they knew he was not really one of them. The word “Herod” is akin to the word “hero.” Yet the Jews did not consider him their hero. The Pharasaic traditions of that era did not consider forcible conversion legitimate.

So here may be a clue as to why the Herod dynasty was filled to overflowing with not just political intrigue, but personal moral failure of the worst kind. When they converted, it was a political necessity. It was not a heart conversion. Inside, they did not change...even when they encountered the Messiah - the best Jew of all.