Bible Study Online Article
In the last article we took a closer look at this Scripture: "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people." (Genesis 49:10). I had pointed out, that this is a very important prophecy that had been foretold by Jacob, that dealt with the future role, in regards to the tribe of Judah and Jesus Christ (Yeshua). But we should keep in mind, that Bible critics, have taken this Scripture and have tried to argue, that this prophecy was false, being that the tribe of Judah was eventually taken into captivity. Because of this, Bible critics make the claim that the "scepter" that Jacob had spoken of had departed from the tribe, so therefore, the prophecy is false. But what these Bible critics fail to realize when it came to the tribe of Judah, is the fact; that they weren't destroyed, they were taken captive and so therefore, they were still a nation of people. One could wonder, if the Bible critics might have a point? Being that since the tribe of Judah was taken into captivity, how could they still have possession of the "scepter" that Jacob spoke of? How could they still have some kind of: "royal authority" or "dominion" or "government" - while in captivity? If I was limited by my natural perception, I would hate to admit, but they could have made an excellent point. But I'm not limited by my natural perception, and I always go beyond the surface. So let's do that -- let's go beyond for a moment and look at a few things. But first, I would like to point out, that I could easily leave my side of the argument with the comparison that dealt with Israel's captivity in Egypt, and make the point that God's covenant did not cease, because they were being held captive in another country and just chalk it up, simply by saying that they had a "seventy year interruption." I could do that, as a matter of fact, most have done that. But that would be too easy =) Besides, I think in this case, we don't have to take the easy way out. Being that I believe, that the tribe of Judah still had the "scepter" even though they were being held in captivity by the Babylonians. So therefore, I would have to disagree with my peers, that there wasn't a "seventy year interruption," in which the tribe didn't have the "scepter." First we have to understand that in this case, the word "scepter" deals more with representation, than it does with having a government structure of some sort. Know that a "king" doesn't just hold a preeminent position that came to him by hereditary means or by force, but he is also a representation of the very same kingdom, in which he rules. So actually, the question should be: "Did that representation (scepter) cease, during those seventy years of captivity?" And I would respond by saying: "No it did not." Let's look at something real quick when it comes to some of the events that led up to their captivity, and yes -- it matters. Understand that Nebuchadnezzar would lay siege to the city of Jerusalem on three different occasions, before the Holy City was officially declared -- destroyed. But let's take a closer look at Nebuchadnezzar's first attack upon the city, being that some very important events had transpired at that time. Nebuchadnezzar attacked the city in the year of 605 B.C. and it's during this time, that the current king of Judah, Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, had been taken into captivity, but would later be reinstated to his throne and Jerusalem would be forced to pay tribute on a regular basis to the Babylonians. Now although this is good to know when it comes to Jehoiakim, we should also take notice that it was at this time, that Daniel (who was a teenager at the time) along with three-thousand royal representatives, and some of the city's treasure was taken byNebuchadnezzar during this time as well. This is important to know, because this means that Daniel would already be in Babylon, years before Jerusalem was finally destroyed. I point this out, because Daniel would eventually rise to the position that was known as the "chief of the governors." This position meant that Daniel would become the third most powerful person within the Babylon kingdom. He would be outranked only by the king Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar the son of Nabonidus, who was married to Nebuchadnezzar's daughter -- Nitocris. We must also keep in mind that Daniel was from the tribe of Judah, and of noble birth. This is extremely important, because Daniel would serve as that royal representation (scepter) for the tribe of Judah that Jacob had spoken of, while they were being held captive as a nation. Understand that Daniel would serve in this position through the fall of Babylon, into the early years of Cyrus the Great, the Persian king that took the kingdom of Babylon. Daniel would serve his final days under the first few years of the reign of Cyrus the Great. Note the continuation, or the passing of the scepter, from Daniel to Zerabbabel. Being that it was at this time, that "Zerabbabel the Prince of the Captivity" who was also from the tribe of Judah, would lead the first pilgrimage of Jews from out of captivity. This was made possible, because Cyrus had decreed in his first year of power over Babylon, that the Jews could go back home and rebuild their temple. This pilgrimage consisted of forty-two thousand and three-hundred and sixty people. There would be two more pilgrimages, in which the Jews were released from captivity, and left from Babylon, and went back to Jerusalem. One pilgrimage would take place under the guidance of Ezra, and the other was under the guidance of Nehemiah, who led the third pilgrimage, ten or eleven years after Ezra had led the second. Both of these pilgrimages happened under the rule of Xerxes' son -- Artaxerxes Longimanus, who was the current Persian king at that time. "In the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah all Israel gave the portions for the singers and the gatekeepers, a portion for each day. They also consecrated holy things for the Levites, and the Levites consecrated them for the children of Aaron." (Nehemiah 12:47) Why is this Scripture important, and what does it mean - actually? Well for starters; this Scripture points to the beginning of the "Council of the Sanhedrin" after the Jews were released from their Babylonian captivity of seventy years. Note what I just wrote: "...after the Jews were released..." The reason why I stress that, is for the fact that Moses had originally instituted this council back in his day: "So the Lord said to Moses: "Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you. Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone." (Numbers 11:16-17) I just wanted to make sure people didn't think I was trying to take credit away from Moses. Be as it may, this council was reinstituted by Zerubbabel after their captivity and the temple had been rebuilt. Now I will go in further detail in the next article when it comes to the "Sanhedrin." I will point out how this council was also a representation of authority (specter) for the tribe of Judah in its own right. Understand that this council consisted of the tribal and family heads of the tribe of Judah and the Levitical priesthood. But, once again -- another opportunity arises for Bible critics, in which, they try to come against Jacob's powerful prophecy in regards to Judah and Jesus Christ (Yeshua). And once again, I have something for that as well. Until then, take care and God bless.
Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty **YOUR CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES WOULD BE HERE**
113) The Prophecy of Reuben, Simeon and Levi 114) A Lion In The Making 115) A Tribe of Kings 116) <-CURRENT PAGE-> 117) The Importance of the Sanhedrin 118) The Gathering of the People 119) The Prophecy of Zebulun, Issachar and Dan 120) Jacob's Prophecies - Gad, Asher and Naphtali 121) Jacob's Prophecies - Joseph the Fruitful Tree 122) Jacob's Prophecies - Benjamin the Ravenous Wolf 123) The Death of Jacob 124) Jacob Goes Home 126) The Death of Joseph 127) Evolutionist And Creationist 128) Moses the Historian  CrossDaily.com Web Search where you can VOTE FOR THIS SITE & other great ones. Christian search engine, directory & voting index. You'll find Bible Study Online, chat, churches, jobs, music, reviews, software, theology, & more. See the best sites!
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