[RnMomof7]

I thought that the Pharisees were strict followers of the letter of the law without comprehending the spirit. They expected everyone to follow all of the minutiae instead of trying to know or understand God. If you have a moment maybe you could fill me in further.

I believe YOU are correct. They worshiped the law and not the giver! This is not about Israel.

[philman_36]

This is not about Israel.
No, it isn't. Is someone trying to make it about Israel? I would hope not.

They expected everyone to follow all of the minutiae instead of trying to know or understand God.
Good analysis. They couldn't get God into their lives so why should anyone else?
So much out of context with the time and place and ongoing conversations and perceptions...
Pick and choose to form a picture out of line and out of character.

[Hank Kerchief]

One of the members of a school or party among the ancient Jews noted for the strict formal observance of the rites and validity of traditions of the elders. Pharisee interpretation provided the standard of observation and belief for the great majority of the Jews from the 1st century A.D.

The Pharisees were leaders and authorities of the organized religion that claimed the Bible (Old Testament only at that time) as its authority. The pharisees today are the leaders and authorities of those orgaized religions and denominations that claim the Bible is their authority generally known as Christian. Today, the religious leaders and authorities do not call themselves Pharisees, they call themselves priests, pastors, ministers, bishops, theologians, etc.

It was organized religion that demanded adherence to the traditions and teaching of earlier authorities, just as it does today. It was always the Pharisees that quoted scripture to back up their man-made laws, rituals, and practices, just as it is today. The Pharisees always claim they are God's authority on earth. If Christ should be born today, to live and walk among men, our organized religions would seek to kill him, just as it did before.

Ask any of these religious leaders why Jesus came. He may bable something about saving men, or saving men from sin. If they really know the Bible they may quote Paul, (1 Tim. 1:15) "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."

None will quote what Jesus Himself said His purpose for being born in the world was: John 18:37 "...Jesus answered, ... to this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice."

Most today confuse the voice of some donominational authority, church leader, or the Pope for the voice of Jesus Christ.

Jesus never came to form an organized religion, which is always the enemy of truth.

Hank

[ladyinred]

I believe YOU are correct. They worshiped the law and not the giver! This is not about Israel.

I believe You are correct too! This is not about Israel, it is about the state of the heart of the individual.
Those Jesus spoke of happened to be Jewish, but He was speaking to us all.