Daniel Molyneux's Blog - Posts Tagged "spirituality"
See KIRKUS REVIEWS' book review of Judas Son of Simon, by Daniel Molyneux
Take a look at KIRKUS REVIEWS' book review of Judas Son of Simon, by Daniel Molyneux: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...Judas Son of SimonDaniel Molyneux
EGYPTIAN ORIGIN OF THE ARK
In the Book of Exodus, God commanded Moses to build an ark. The Ark of the Covenant may seem unique and unusual - to have a decorated “box” as the central object inside the Tabernacle’s Holy of Holies. But the Ark has precedence within Egyptian Temples.
The Bible is the revelation of Yahweh to human-kind. God repeatedly utilizes things familiar to people, to reveal aspects of God’s true nature, and plan of salvation.
To discover the origin of the Ark, one must remember the Hebrews lived in Egypt for more than four-centuries, where they were immersed in Egyptian culture, including Egyptian religion.
Boats (arks) were a central part of Egyptian religious practice. Egyptians primarily lived on the eastern side of the Nile, but the Pyramids and tombs were on the western side of the river. A person’s coffin (sarcophagus) would be carried across the Nile in a boat. When reaching the western bank of the Nile, the boat would be pulled on a sledge to the place of burial. Boats were frequently buried with the pharaohs and other people, for use in the afterlife. Boats were a symbol of salvation from death.
Furthermore, Egyptian gods had boats (arks) that stood on pedestals in their temples’ Holy of Holies. During religious festivals, these boats were carried in procession by priests, using poles attached to the god’s boat. An example of this can be seen today in the Holy of Holies of the Edfu Temple, where there is a small wooden boat having poles protruding by which it may be carried. This is similar to the wooden poles inserted through rings to carry Yahweh’s Ark of the Covenant.
Yahweh borrows aspects of Egyptian culture that the Hebrews are familiar with, empties them of anything idolatrous, and then redefines these things to reveal Yahweh’s true nature and plans.
The Ark of the Covenant shares traits with the “sacred boats” that sat in the Holy of Holies of Egyptian Temples. But the Ark of the Covenant is not an idol. Rather God uses the Ark, this sacred boat or chest, as a reminder of God’s covenant with the Chosen People – and the Ark is a “footstool” over which the Spirit of God hovers.
Yahweh repeatedly “stoops down” to the cultural level of God’s People, to reveal the true nature of God and salvation. The ultimate expression of this is when God stooped down to take on human flesh, as Jesus of Nazareth. By doing this, God was revealed physically and intimately. And by Jesus death on the cross, God defeated evil and death.
Judas Son of Simon
The Bible is the revelation of Yahweh to human-kind. God repeatedly utilizes things familiar to people, to reveal aspects of God’s true nature, and plan of salvation.
To discover the origin of the Ark, one must remember the Hebrews lived in Egypt for more than four-centuries, where they were immersed in Egyptian culture, including Egyptian religion.
Boats (arks) were a central part of Egyptian religious practice. Egyptians primarily lived on the eastern side of the Nile, but the Pyramids and tombs were on the western side of the river. A person’s coffin (sarcophagus) would be carried across the Nile in a boat. When reaching the western bank of the Nile, the boat would be pulled on a sledge to the place of burial. Boats were frequently buried with the pharaohs and other people, for use in the afterlife. Boats were a symbol of salvation from death.
Furthermore, Egyptian gods had boats (arks) that stood on pedestals in their temples’ Holy of Holies. During religious festivals, these boats were carried in procession by priests, using poles attached to the god’s boat. An example of this can be seen today in the Holy of Holies of the Edfu Temple, where there is a small wooden boat having poles protruding by which it may be carried. This is similar to the wooden poles inserted through rings to carry Yahweh’s Ark of the Covenant.
Yahweh borrows aspects of Egyptian culture that the Hebrews are familiar with, empties them of anything idolatrous, and then redefines these things to reveal Yahweh’s true nature and plans.
The Ark of the Covenant shares traits with the “sacred boats” that sat in the Holy of Holies of Egyptian Temples. But the Ark of the Covenant is not an idol. Rather God uses the Ark, this sacred boat or chest, as a reminder of God’s covenant with the Chosen People – and the Ark is a “footstool” over which the Spirit of God hovers.
Yahweh repeatedly “stoops down” to the cultural level of God’s People, to reveal the true nature of God and salvation. The ultimate expression of this is when God stooped down to take on human flesh, as Jesus of Nazareth. By doing this, God was revealed physically and intimately. And by Jesus death on the cross, God defeated evil and death.
Judas Son of Simon
ELIAS' PROVERBS
FRIENDS
“Treat all people as friends. But do not be surprised if they reveal themselves to be enemies in disguise.” Elias' ProverbsElias the Teacher, from Elias’ Proverbs
To learn more about go about Elias’ Proverbs go to: https://www.amazon.com/Elias-Proverbs...
“Treat all people as friends. But do not be surprised if they reveal themselves to be enemies in disguise.” Elias' ProverbsElias the Teacher, from Elias’ Proverbs
To learn more about go about Elias’ Proverbs go to: https://www.amazon.com/Elias-Proverbs...
INSULTING WORDS
“Insulting words, once uttered, will never be forgotten. They ring in the ears of your hearers for countless years”
Elias the Teacher, from Elias’ Proverbs
To learn more about go about Elias’ Proverbs by Daniel Molyneux go to: https://www.amazon.com/Elias-Proverbs...
Elias' Proverbs
Elias the Teacher, from Elias’ Proverbs
To learn more about go about Elias’ Proverbs by Daniel Molyneux go to: https://www.amazon.com/Elias-Proverbs...
Elias' Proverbs
CREATING ENEMIES
“It may require one-million words to make a single friend. But an enemy can be created by uttering one harsh word.” Elias the Teacher, from Elias’ Proverbs
To learn more about go about Elias’ Proverbs by Daniel Molyneux go to: https://www.amazon.com/Elias-Proverbs...
To learn more about go about Elias’ Proverbs by Daniel Molyneux go to: https://www.amazon.com/Elias-Proverbs...
REVOLUTION
“There are two kinds of revolution: rebellion against Good, giving birth to more bondage; and revolution against evil, seeking the Freedom God alone can give.” Elias the Teacher, from Elias’ Proverbs
To learn more about go about Elias’ Proverbs by Daniel Molyneux go to: https://www.angelofa.com/elias-daniel...
Elias' Proverbs
To learn more about go about Elias’ Proverbs by Daniel Molyneux go to: https://www.angelofa.com/elias-daniel...
Elias' Proverbs
SPIRITUAL MATURITY
“Spiritual maturity is reached when a man or woman gives more to others than they receive.” Elias the Teacher, from Elias’ Proverbs
To learn more about go about Elias’ Proverbs by Daniel Molyneux go to: https://www.amazon.com/Daniel-Molyneu...
Elias' Proverbs
To learn more about go about Elias’ Proverbs by Daniel Molyneux go to: https://www.amazon.com/Daniel-Molyneu...
Elias' Proverbs
PARABLE OF THE FLOUR JAR
Elias’ the Teacher said, “A young woman rode her cart to the market. There she filled a large pottery jar with flour. Placing it in the back of the cart, she made her way home.
“Upon returning her father said, ‘Daughter dear, please bake me a small loaf to ease my hunger.’
“The young woman went to carry the jar of flour into the house. Coming to the back of the cart, she found the jar lying upon its side and the flour gone. During her journey down the rocky road, the jar had tipped over, spilling its contents along the way, scattering the flour to the four winds. The jar had been full, but was now empty, leaving no flour to make a loaf to ease her father’s hunger.”
After pondering the story for a moment, I said, “Teacher, I perceive this story is about the Levites, but the meaning escapes me.”
“Yes, you are right, my friend. It is about some of the Levites. Let me explain. When young, many Levites were eager to be filled with God’s Word so that they could, in turn, feed many hungry souls. The Almighty filled them to overflowing with the Lord’s Sustenance. At first these Levites faithfully gave spiritual food to many, freely distributing the Bread of God.
“But during their years of sojourn in life, the bumps and obstacles of this world confused them, making them dizzy and off balance. Jostled by the trials and potholes of life in this fallen world, their hearts were overturned, spilling the spiritual food the Almighty had given them. Before long, the Levites were empty vessels, no longer having anything inside their hearts to feed those hungry for God’s Word. The Levites appear to be the same vessels on the outside, but inside they are empty, unable to feed those who are starving for the Bread of God. Some Levites are like the jar of flour that fell, spilling its contents to the four winds.”
© 2015 Daniel R. Molyneux
From THE ANGEL OF ANTIOCH, by Daniel Molyneux. To find out more go to: https://www.angelofa.com/daniel-molyn...
The Angel of Antioch
“Upon returning her father said, ‘Daughter dear, please bake me a small loaf to ease my hunger.’
“The young woman went to carry the jar of flour into the house. Coming to the back of the cart, she found the jar lying upon its side and the flour gone. During her journey down the rocky road, the jar had tipped over, spilling its contents along the way, scattering the flour to the four winds. The jar had been full, but was now empty, leaving no flour to make a loaf to ease her father’s hunger.”
After pondering the story for a moment, I said, “Teacher, I perceive this story is about the Levites, but the meaning escapes me.”
“Yes, you are right, my friend. It is about some of the Levites. Let me explain. When young, many Levites were eager to be filled with God’s Word so that they could, in turn, feed many hungry souls. The Almighty filled them to overflowing with the Lord’s Sustenance. At first these Levites faithfully gave spiritual food to many, freely distributing the Bread of God.
“But during their years of sojourn in life, the bumps and obstacles of this world confused them, making them dizzy and off balance. Jostled by the trials and potholes of life in this fallen world, their hearts were overturned, spilling the spiritual food the Almighty had given them. Before long, the Levites were empty vessels, no longer having anything inside their hearts to feed those hungry for God’s Word. The Levites appear to be the same vessels on the outside, but inside they are empty, unable to feed those who are starving for the Bread of God. Some Levites are like the jar of flour that fell, spilling its contents to the four winds.”
© 2015 Daniel R. Molyneux
From THE ANGEL OF ANTIOCH, by Daniel Molyneux. To find out more go to: https://www.angelofa.com/daniel-molyn...
The Angel of Antioch
DEBT AND GREED
“A borrower is bound in chains of debt to the lender. But misers are enslaved by their own selfish greed.” Elias the Teacher, from Elias’ Proverbs
To learn more about go about Elias’ Proverbs by Daniel Molyneux go to: https://www.angelofa.com/elias-daniel...
Elias' Proverbs
To learn more about go about Elias’ Proverbs by Daniel Molyneux go to: https://www.angelofa.com/elias-daniel...
Elias' Proverbs
Careers, Choices, and Priorities:
“Be careful where you spend your time and efforts in life. If there are no fish in the pond, it does not matter how well you fish.” Elias the Teacher, from Elias’ Proverbs
To learn more about go about Elias’ Proverbs by Daniel Molyneux go to: https://www.amazon.com/ANGEL-ANTIOCH-...
Elias' Proverbs
To learn more about go about Elias’ Proverbs by Daniel Molyneux go to: https://www.amazon.com/ANGEL-ANTIOCH-...
Elias' Proverbs
