Summary Lesson 5: “This is the Spirit of Revelation”

WITHOUT ACCEPTING REVELATION, WE FORGET: In modern Jewish thinking, “looking to God” and “revelation” are almost figurative and have become unexplainable. “. . . various phrases are used when describing appearances of the Divine, for example kavod (‘glory’) or shekhinah (. . . ‘Divine Presence’) or davar (‘word’ of God).” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
PAST REVELATION, A GUIDE FOR THE FUTURE: “The same Prophets who have contemplated and described the . . . reunion of the tribes of Israel . . . have also predicted that, in connection with all these preparations, a new dispensation should be manifested, a new covenant established, ‘A standard’ for the nations, ‘An Ensign’ for the people . . . fitted to the times, and with the principles and laws adapted to the reorganization, order, and government of a renovated world.” (Parley P. Pratt, Key to Theology, Ch.9, Pg.76 – Pg.77)
STUDY THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS: “The Bible is holy to Jews because it represents the Word of God. [Study of] the Torah [first five Biblical books] . . . [and] the rest of the Bible is one of the prime religious duties . . . at some later date a reading from the Nevi’im was added . . . known as the Haftorah.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
DUTY OF ANCIENT AND MODERN PROPHETS: The Latter-day Saints’ use of the “Pearl of Great Price” and the Doctrine and Covenants are the LDS Haftorah. Literally, it is the reading of the Nevi’im, the “Prophets,” with their explanations and heavenly insights. Other prophets wrote about the Lord who “directs our paths.”
PUBLIC STUDY AND WORSHIP: Anciently, Jewish worship practices included reading the Torah (the Law) and Haftorah (the Prophets) publicly once a week on the Sabbath. In modern times, there are three public readings each week; Monday, Thursday and Saturday (Sabbath). The entire Bible text (Old Testament) is covered in one year. When Jesus lived, apparently, the Jews read the “Law and the Prophets” just once a week. (Luke 4:16)

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JESUS RELATES TO THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS: It is probable that the reason Jesus’ ministry was three years long was so that He could read, review and instruct the Disciples through the entire Law and the Prophets once during those training years. His instruction brought back the spirit, reopening the purpose of the law. The spirit was replacing the wall of do’s-and-don’ts.
PRAYER CIRCLE: When the Jews pray in a synagogue, they form a prayer circle (Minyan). It usually consists of at least ten participants. There is a tradition that if there are only nine persons, the prayer circle can be completed with an agreement that the presence of the Lord or the Spirit of the Lord is with them. In addition to group prayer and the prayer circle, there is some individual prayer.
KNEELING PRAYER: Kneeling, a common form of prayer among Christians, is shunned by Jews, although scriptural references to kneeling do exist. “. . . Solomon had made an end of praying . . . from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.” (1 Kings 8:54) “. . . let us kneel before the LORD our maker.” (Psalm 95:6)
GETTING ANSWERS: There is a reason it is called the “still small voice” because without a sense of reverence we wouldn’t be able to hear it. In the Old Testament, reverence is often referred to as “fear.” Another meaning is “opposite of faith.” Fear is expecting what you “don’t want” while faith is expecting things you “do want.”
FEAR OF GOD: “The ‘fear’ referred to is not the fright or scaredness which a person feels when he is confronted, for example, with a hungry lion. It is rather a feeling of awe or reverence felt when witnessing greatness or grandeur. The view of a major natural wonder, for instance, is breathtaking and inspires the beholder with awe. It is this . . . ‘fear of God’; that is, awe at the thought of the infinity and greatness of God.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)