The Pharisees had their roots in the group of faithful Jews known as the Hasidim (or Chasidim) The Hasidim arose in the second century B.C. when the influence of Hellenism on the Jews was particularly strong and many Jews lived little differently than their Gentile neighbours. But the Hasidim insisted on strict observance of Jewish ritual laws.
When the Syrian king Antiochus IV tried to do away with the Jewish religion, the Hasidim took part in the revolt of the 'MACCABEES' against him. Apparently from this movement of the faithful Hasidim come both the Essenes - who later broke off from other Jews and formed their own communities - and the Pharisees, who remained an active part of Jewish life. Indeed, during the period of independence that followed the revolt, some of the Greek rulers who controlled Palestine favoured the Pharisaic party. As a result of this favouritism, Pharisees came to be represented on the 'Sanhedrin' the supreme court and legislative body of the Jews. At times, the Pharisees even dominated the assembly. In New Testament times, Pharisaic scribes, though probably in the minority, were still an effective part of the Sanhedrin.
One distinctive feature of the Pharisees was their strong commitment to observing the law of God as it was interpreted and applied by the scribes. Although the priests had been responsible for teaching and interpreting the Law - Lev. 10:8-11; Deut. 33:8-10 - in the Old Testament times, many people had lost all respect for the priests because of the corruption in the Jerusalem priesthood. The looked to the scribes/lawyers instead to interpret the Law for them. Some scribes/lawyers were priests; many were not. Still, they lived in pious, disciplined lives; and they had been trained to become experts in the Law. It was natural, then, for people to follow their leading rather that of the priests.
The way in which the scribes/lawyers spelled out the meaning of the Mosaic Law, the ways in which they adapted that Law to suit the needs of their day, the time - honoured customs which they endorsed - all these became a part of the 'tradition of the elders'. - Mark 7:3 - Although these traditions were not put into writing, they were passed on from one scribe to another and from the scribes to the peoples. From this tradition, they claimed, the Jewish people could know the way God's law should be observed. The Pharisees agreed, and they were known for supporting and keeping the 'tradition of the elders.' The Pharisees also believed it was important to observe all the laws of God. But they were especially known for their commitment to keep the laws of tithing and ritual purity. These were the laws that other peoples were less careful about observing.
According to the New Testament, the Pharisees were concerned about strictly interpreting and keeping the law on all matters - Acts 26:5 - including the Sabbath - Mark 2:24 - divorce - Mark 10:2 - oaths - Matt. 23:16-22 - the wearing of Phylacteries and Fringes - Matt. 23:5 - and so on. But they showed special zeal in insisting that laws of tithing and ritual purity be kept. Since Pharisees found that other Jews were not careful enough about keeping the laws of tithing and ritual purity, they felt it was necessary to place limits on their contacts with other Jews as well as with Gentiles. For example, they could not eat in the home of a non-Pharisee, since they could not be sure that the food had been properly tithed and kept ritually pure. But they always "DO NOT PRACTICE WHAT THEY PREACH."
Alas, for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who pay your tithes of mint and dill and cummin and have neglected the weightier matters of the Law - justice, mercy, good faith! These you should have practiced, without neglecting the others. You blind guides! Straining out gnats and swallowing camels!
Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who clean the outside of cup and dish and leave the inside full of extortion and intemperance. Blind Pharisees! Clean the inside of cup and dish first so that the outside may become clean as well.
Alas for you, scribes, and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are who are like whitewashed tombs that look handsome on the outside, but inside are full of dead men bones and every kind of corruption. In the same way you appear to people from the outside like good honest men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. - Matt. 23:23-28 - Matt. 23:11-32 -
The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus.......So these Pharisees and scribes asked him, 'Why do your disciples not respect the tradition of the elders but eat their food with unclean hands?' Jesus answered, 'It was of you hypocrites that Isaiah so rightly prophesied in this passage of scripture:
This people honours me only with lip-service,
while their hearts are far from me,
The worship they offer me is worthless,
the doctrines they teach are only human regulations.
You put aside the commandment of God to cling to human traditions.......In this way you make God's word null and void for the sake of your tradition which you have handed down. And you do many other things like this. - Mark 7:1-13 -
Jesus had just finished speaking when a Pharisee invited him to dine at his house.......But alas for you Pharisees! You who pay your tithe of mint and rue and all sorts of garden herbs and overlook justice and the love of God! These you should have practised, without leaving the others undone. Alas for you Pharisees... A lawyer then spoke up, 'Master' he said 'when you speak like this you insult us too.' Alas for you lawyers also' he replied, because you load on men burdens that are unendurable, burdens that you yourselves do not move a finger to lift. - Luke 11:37-46 -
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Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
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