The Bible In Paintings, #162: THE JEWS RETURN FROM BABYLON TO ISRAEL, Part 3

Bing Images ^ | c.2200 BC - c.95 AD | by the Father, Son & Holy Spirit

[Hebrews 11:6]

At the Holy Spirit's prompting, I am surveying "Bible art" to give God glory, as many of these artists have done, and for my own amusement and learning; and I thought others might enjoy it and be blessed by it, too. My plan is to proceed methodically from left-to-right, Genesis to Revelation, as the Lord wills. Back soon with another.

The Bible encourages us to meditate on it (Ps. 1:1-3, 119:11-16, etc.); these artists have done so, and their works can assist us and enrich our own thoughts about biblical characters, incidents and concepts, and increase our faith in He who is behind it all. As you encounter and consider these images and the related Scriptures and the Spirit enlightens your understanding, please share it with us!

But it is not only oil-on-canvas that can so help us; I refer to the astonishing video series The Chosen, which strolls through the four Gospels at the most leisurely pace. The eight episodes of Season 1 are finished, and the second of a planned seven seasons is being filmed right now. I say "leisurely" because after an entire year's viewing Jesus still has only seven of the apostles (although He's preparing to call up Thomas from the minor leagues--but Thomas is skeptical, of course). Anticipating a canvas of fifty-plus hours instead of a movie's paltry two hours, The Chosen turns the characters (especially including Jesus!) into three-dimensional humans and brings the Gospels alive--you have never seen anything even remotely like it! Here is the Official Trailer.

Here is a link for free viewing of The Chosen: "Works with your phone, tablet, and you can cast to your Roku or Chromecast." Last fall I paid $34.98 for DVDs and ongoing internet access—best 35 bucks I've ever spent (I don't recall how much our marriage license cost, but then it was 43 years ago).

[Hebrews 11:6]

……... .

P r e s e n t e d . . F o r . . Y o u r

CONSIDERATION

ENJOYMENT

& BLESSING

[left that other site]

Good Morning, Dan! :-)

[Hebrews 11:6]

Howdy doody

[OneVike]

Nehemia, and Ezra, are two of the least read books of the Scriptures by Christians.

So sad though, because they are rich in history of how the Jews were more devoted than ever after the return, then they ever were before their captivity.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Nehemia, and Ezra, are two of the least read books of the Scriptures by Christians.

Which is why I was eager to illustrate them. I must add that they were as difficult as any I've attempted; by contrast, I've moved on now to Esther, which is as easy as any.

more devoted than ever after the return, then they ever were before their captivity

If true, it demonstrates God's wisdom: captivity >>>yields>>> devotion. But seemingly their deeper devotion still tripped over Israel's classic Stumbling Block of Self-Salvation, as it does even today.

[etabeta]

Quite a feat to rebuild the wall in 52 days. Nehemiah, from what I have read, was a capable, generous administrator of the province. Great choice of illustrations!

[OneVike]

I've moved on now to Esther, which is as easy as any.

You could have done one post since both books were originally one. Yet I look forward to your presentation of Ezra.

But seemingly their deeper devotion still tripped over Israel's classic Stumbling Block of Self-Salvation, as it does even today.

Yes, but in their defense, even the Disciples who walked with Christ for 3 years stumbled with it. It's hardly fair to expect the Scholars at the time of the return from exile to understood it 400 years before Christ was even born.

Now by the time Christ showed up, They, had ample opportunity and time to study the Greek Translated Scriptures to figure it out. Especially since the religious leaders of Christ's time had better access and were much more educated than at any time of their history. They had the writings of the Prophets and the Torah, something very few of Nehamiah's time had. Besides the fact that during the return they were much more preoccupied, mentally and physically, rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Quite a feat to rebuild the wall in 52 days.

Astonishing (and memorable, obviously), especially considering the many, many obstacles.

Great choice of illustrations!

Quite the contrary: the paucity of art available made illustrating the 23 chapters of Ezra and Nehemiah desperately difficult. I didn't "choose": I latched onto each with a death-grip.

[Hebrews 11:6]

even the Disciples who walked with Christ for 3 years stumbled with it

What a dense lot they were: "Well, gollllllly, Christ's atonement even counted for the Gentiles! Whodathunkit?"

Now by the time Christ showed up

Job got it, 2200 years before. Even Isaiah was confused over self-salvation, arguing for it in one breath while extolling grace with the next. Satan always provides a full smorgasboard of preoccupations and excuses: take your pick and help yourself!

[OneVike]

You should read the commentary I have on Isaiah from a series titled, "Word Biblical Commentary". Their commentary on Isaiah, is a 2 part series. In it the author, (John W. Watts), points out how Isaiah 53:13-53:12, was considered by the Religious leaders at the time to have pointed to what happened to Zerubabbel. To save time of typing, I just took a pic of the page for you to read it.

Later in the commentary, he expounds upon his theory that Zerubbabel was murdered, and suggests from his investigation of Jewish writings that at the time the Religious scholars thought the murder is what Isaiah had prophesied since Isaiah also prophesied of Cyrus and the return. In their bubble of not seeing the valley between the Mountains they erred.

To this day, the Jews use this and various other misguided beliefs to explain away, not only Isaiah's prophecies related to Christ, but of things learned from the Dead Sea Scrolls. As I stated before, I can understand the blindness 400 years before Christ showed up, not for those who were present when Christ walked amongst them.

The image is high enough quality for you to zoom in and read it.

I have a couple different commentaries by various authors on Isaiah. My library is slowly growing. I love books. It's much more relaxing to sit back on the couch to some soundscape music and a book than sitting in front of a pc screen all day.

[Hebrews 11:6]

I gather you're explaining their incomprehension rather than excusing it. But there are so very many exceptions who prove the rule, whom we'll enjoy an eternity with. I'm partial to Simeon and Anna.

[OneVike]

You should look for this book. The illustrations are amazing. You could capture images and upload them for your posts.

Jeremiah

Ezekiel

God bless and have a good day

[OneVike]

Yes, there is no excuse, since as you pointed out, JOB knew. He actually mentioned seeing His savior eye to eye.

I have learned through my years that those who are the most studied by the very Scriptures that explain our salvation are the same ones who get blinded by the abundance of information they come across.

I have always used the rule that God is right, His Son is right, the Holy Spirit is right. Thus when I am confused I come down on the side that I am wrong, and need to step back to allow the Holy Spiri to explain that which I cannot understand.

[Hebrews 11:6]

blinded by the abundance of information

Even an ignorant child's FAITH is sufficient.

when I am confused I come down on the side that I am wrong, and need to step back to allow the Holy Spirit to explain

Wiser words have ne'er been uttered.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Thanks for the atlas referral, but I’ll pass on it as insufficiently meeting my needs.

[OneVike]

I understand.

[Impala64ssa]

Bkmk

[Hebrews 11:6]

CUL8R

[Forgiven_Sinner]

I have an issue with #41. I thought from scripture Nehemiah circumnavigated the city at night, looking at all the gates and walls.

Re-reading it, I think was was wrong.

13 By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire.

14 Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; 15 so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall.

Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate.

So Nehemiah DID turn back. My only quibble is when. v. 15 says ‘he went up the valley’ ie, the Kidron valley. Uphill is to the north. I believe he didn’t turn back until the eastern wall turned and became the northern wall.

Thanks for teaching me and everyone else with your series!