NONSENSE FROM THE BIBLE Page 9
Luke 3:23-24
And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph,
The above genealogies of Jesus, in Matthew and Luke, are through Joseph, a natural father. If Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost this genealogy is nonsense and therefore no-one could claim that he was a natural descendent of David or Abraham. Obviously, neither Matthew nor Luke actually believed that Mary had been impregnated by the Holy Ghost or they would not have written the above human genealogy of Joseph as the father of Jesus.
Problem 6.
Mark and John knew nothing about a virgin birth and make no mention of it in their writings. Paul believed that Jesus had a natural father and made no reference to the possibility that Mary was a virgin.
Romans 1:3
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
Galatians 4:4
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Virgin Birth? Prophecy? Nonsense!
PROPHECY OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS IN BETHLEHEM
The Prophecy
Micah 5:2
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
The Fulfilment?
Luke 2:1-7
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Problem 1.
‘Bethlehem Ephratah’ (Micah 5:2) in fact refers to a clan who are the descendants of a man called Bethlehem, the son of Caleb’s second wife Ephrathah and nothing to do with a place called Bethlehem. Bethlehem was also called the City of David (Luke 2:4) not Ephrathah.
1 Chronicles. 2:24
And after that Hezron was dead in Caleb-Ephratah, then Abiah Hezron’s wife bare him Ashur the father of Tekoa.
1 Chronicles. 2:50
These were the sons of Caleb the son of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah; Shobal the father of Kirjath-jearim,
1 Chronicles. 4:4
And Penuel the father of Gedor and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah, the father of Bethlehem.
In common with almost every so called prophecy the statements can easily refer to almost anyone. In the reference quoted from the book of Micah it refers to one who will be a ‘Ruler in Israel.’ Jesus did not qualify – he was never a ruler in Israel and became, according to the Roman law, a criminal who was executed.
Problem 2
The Gospel of Luke is the only account of this census; it is not mentioned in the other Gospels. It is also not historically correct as there is no historical evidence that a decree by Caesar Augustus was made for a census to be held at that time. There was no practice in the Roman Empire which required citizens to return to their place of birth in order for them to be taxed. The idea that Joseph or any husband would take his very pregnant wife on a journey of at least five days on the back of a donkey is extremely unlikely. The census of Quirinius referred to the enrolment of the Roman provinces of Syria and Judea for tax purposes was taken in the years 6CE and 7CE after the alleged birth of Jesus. This passage has long been considered problematic by biblical scholars, since it places the birth of Jesus around the time of the census in 6CE and 7CE, whereas the Gospel of Matthew indicates a birth during or just after the reign of Herod the Great, who died in 4BCE, nine years earlier.
Prophecy? Nonsense!
PROPHECY OF THE FAMILY ESCAPING TO EGYPT
The Prophecy
Hosea 11.1
When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
The fulfillment?
Matthew 2:14-15
When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night and departed into Egypt. And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet saying, out of Egypt I have called my son.
According to Matthew, Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus escaped from Bethlehem by night because of Herod’s supposed order to kill all the male children under the age of two years. This is another of those admissions by Matthew that it might be fulfilled - to give credibility to the text.
Problem
This is a prime example of taking a few words completely out of context in order to create a so called ‘prophecy’ - I have included here more verses from Hosea Chapter One which clearly shows this nonsense:
Hosea 11:1-12
When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images. I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them. I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them. He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return. And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them , because of their own counsels. And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him . How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city. They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west. They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD. Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.
Can anyone seriously suggest that Hosea Chapter One has any connection with Jesus or can be used as a prophecy concerning Jesus?
Prophecy? Nonsense!
PROPHECY OF THE MASSACRE OF THE INNOCENTS
The story is that when Herod the Great ruled Judea as King he was told that a child who would be ‘King of the Jews’ had been born in his province. At first he ordered a search for him. This failed so he then gave an order for all the male children under the age of two years to be killed!
The Prophecy
Jeremiah 31:15
Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
The fulfillment?
Matthew 2:16-18
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be c
omforted, because they are not.
Problem 1
To link the verses in Jeremiah to the alleged slaughter of the children in Judea at the time of the birth of Jesus is laughable! - It appears that many of the so called prophecies were invented simply to apply to the later content and events by the writers of the New Testament. Here is an obvious one. In the account of the killing of the children by Herod and suggesting that this was prophesied by Jeremiah is absurd.
In Jeremiah, the verse is taken out of context of the 40 verses of this chapter - the entire chapter is supposed to be prophesy, most being completely unrelated events. Bible scholars and teachers can take their pick and attach no end of explanations and variations to the meaning of such scriptures. This is a prime example. This reference to Rachel’s weeping was because of the terrible suffering of her descendants when the Nation of Israel had been taken into captivity in 722-722 BCE.
Problem 2
Did the killing of the children really happen? Apart from this entry in the Gospel of Matthew, this horrific event is not recorded anywhere! The idea that Herod the Great who was firmly established as the King and had adult sons to succeed him, would fear a baby born to a carpenter and his wife from Nazareth is ludicrous.
None of the Roman and Jewish historians of that time even mention this massacre. These include Josephus who recorded several other examples of his sometimes barbaric acts of punishment and noted: ’he never stopped avenging and punishing every day those who had chosen to be a party to his enemies.*22
It is therefore extremely unlikely that the slaughter of the innocents ever happened.
Prophecy? Nonsense!
PROPHECY THAT JESUS WOULD BE PRECEDED BY JOHN THE BAPTIST
The Prophecies?
Isaiah 40:3
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Malachi 3:1
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.
If we read the following verses 2-5 and place the above first verse in context, this messenger cannot be the one who preceded Jesus
Malachi 3:2-5
But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ sope: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years. And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts.
The Fulfilment?
Matthew 3:1-2
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
The so called prophetic verses could refer to anyone at any time but they are useful if you were writing a story of the coming of the long awaited Messiah.
Luke 7:
24. And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
27. This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Prophecy? Nonsense!
PROPHECY JESUS WILL SHEPHERD
THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL
The Prophecy
Ezekiel 37:24
And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd:they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.
The fulfillment?
Matthew 2:6
And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
This is supposed to be a prophecy about Jesus. The verse in Matthew in some translations translates the word ‘governor’ as ‘shepherd’.
Problem
This has to be complete nonsense as Jesus was never a governor, shepherd or ruler over Israel - at most he could symbolically be called a shepherd. He was a religious leader who was sentenced to death. The so called prophecy is clearly about King David (1040-970 BCE) who had ruled as King from 1010 BCE until his death.
It is clear from the context of Ezekiel’s prophecy that he was expecting the former King David to be raised from the dead. The prophecy is about David not about Jesus!
Ezekiel 37:12-14
Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.
(Read the entire chapter to note the context)
Prophecy? Nonsense!
PROPHECY OF JESUS ENTERING
JERUSALEM ON A DONKEY
The Prophecy?
Zechariah. 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
The Fulfilment?
Matthew 21:1-5
And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
These verses tell it all, again: all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet in the book of Zechariah. Jesus was a student of the Jewish holy books which we now refer to as the Old Testament. He and his followers were fully aware of all the prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah. Obviously if you wanted others to believe that you were in fact the Messiah, you would be sure to do everything to fulfil those prophecies. To find a donkey tied up in a small town at the time would not be a problem. Rather like saying today go into the town and find a Taxicab parked at the roadside.
Prophecy? Nonsense!
PROPHECY OF THE BETRAYAL OF JESUS BY JUDAS
The Prophecy?
Psalm 41:9
Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
Psalm 55:12-14
For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
Can this credibly be considered as prophecy concerning Jesus and his betrayal by Judas? This verse clearly states that it was a man who was his equal and was also his guide. If Jesus was the son of God was he just ‘a man’ who was an equal to Judas and who needed him to be his guide?
The above extracts are from the Psalms written by David and were songs, many of which concerned his own life. T
o use these as prophecies concerning Jesus is naïve and ridiculous, they could refer to anyone who had been a friend of David.
The Fulfilment?
John 13:18-21
I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
Matthew 26:47-50
And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.