On Mon, 8 Mar 2004 21:36:01 -0700 "Blaine Borrowman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> ... he is the God of all Israel, not just the > God of the Jews in Jerusalem. His > new covenant had to be given > to ALL of the House of Israel. Where do you get the idea that there were only Jews in the land of Israel? Before the tribes split into two kingdoms, the land which became the Kingdom of Judah already held Jews, Benjamites, and Levites, who were spread around throughout the other tribes. The righteous members of all tribes moved to the Kingdom of Judah after the tribes split into two kingdoms. (2Chron 11:13-16) Later, more people from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon moved to the Kingdom of Judah. (2Chron 15:9) In 2 Chron 23:2, we see a reference to the heads of Israel's families living in the Kingdom of Judah. It seems strange that Israel's families would have members living in Judah, if there were only Jews in Judah. In Luke 2:36, we see that the prophetess Anna traces her roots to the tribe of Asher. If Judah were occupied only by Jews during the time Jesus walked the land in His mortal body, how can it be that she considered herself of the tribe of Asher? In Acts 26:7, Paul speaks of the twelve tribes hoping and worshipping day and night. If ten tribes were lost, how is it he talks of twelve tribes instead of only two tribes? How would he know what those "lost" tribes were doing, if they were truly lost? In James 1:1, he addresses his letter to the twelve tribes in the dispersion. Did he intend that his letter would be sent to America to be read by the aborigines? If yes, did the aborigines read Hebrew or Aramaic or Greek? Obviously, the bible, of which there are many copies in many ancient manuscripts available to scholars for study and comparison, makes it clear that all of the twelve tribes were represented in Judah and the diaspora around the Mediterranean, Europe, etc. The only contradiction comes for Joe's magic gold plates, which interestingly enough are unavailable for scholars to study. Are you familiar with the tv program Reading Rainbow, produced by the program's host, Levar Burton? They feature children's books to encourage kids to read. The titles of the books are meant to attract kids' attention, and, for no particular reason, that's what I think of when I see the words "Joe's magic gold plates." I guess empty, childish minds are attracted to the magic and the mystery. On the other hand, mature minds see that it's not real. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.