Book of Jubilees

Rating:
Summary: As it is written on the Tablets in Heaven....
Review: On the whole, this book is not very fun to read, much like the Bible, BUT IT MUST BE READ. JUBILEES was written as an exposition of the Mosaic Law, and it gives examples of sin and transgression from Genesis in order to justify the Law that was revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai. It does indeed draw upon the Book of ENOCH and JUBILEES itself is found in the Canon of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church along with ENOCH. In fact chapter IV, 16-19 of JUBILEES eulogizes Enoch, crediting him with being the first one to learn the gift of writing and to write a testimony.

All the classical doctrines are found in JUBILEES. One is of predestination and the eternity of the Word. Rev. George Schode writes, "He [the author of JUBILEES] again and again maintains the Thesis that the law existed from eternity, although revealed in full through Moses; that even in heaven, before the creation, the angels observed the festivals, services and ceremonies of the law; that throughout thier lives the patriarchs all strictly carried out its behests. All these things were written on the 'tablet in heaven,' and were gradually introduced among the pious fathers as occasion offered an oppurtunity, and the teachings concerning them were laid down in writing at the very beginning."

Indeed the idea that God DETERMINED who is redeemed and who is not is elucidated here XV, 22-23: "...and he chose Israel [Christians] to be his people. And he sanctified it and and collected it from among all the children of men, for there are many nations and many peoples, and all are his, and OVER ALL HE HAS APPOINTED SPIRITS TO RULE, that they should LEAD THEM ASTRAY FROM HIM, but over Israel he did not appoint any ruler, neither an angel or spirit, but HE ALONE IS THEIR RULER, and he contends for them against the hands of his angels and his spirits and all; and they shall keep his commandments..."

The reader will also find of interest the comments on the behavior of the Patriarchs of Genesis, where they are condemned in JUBILEES whereas their sins are not condemned in the Bible.

Rating:
Summary: As it is written on the Tablets in Heaven....
Review: On the whole, this book is not very fun to read, much like the Bible, BUT IT MUST BE READ. JUBILEES was written as an exposition of the Mosaic Law, and it gives examples of sin and transgression from Genesis in order to justify the Law that was revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai. It does indeed draw upon the Book of ENOCH and JUBILEES itself is found in the Canon of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church along with ENOCH. In fact chapter IV, 16-19 of JUBILEES eulogizes Enoch, crediting him with being the first one to learn the gift of writing and to write a testimony.

All the classical doctrines are found in JUBILEES. One is of predestination and the eternity of the Word. Rev. George Schode writes, "He [the author of JUBILEES] again and again maintains the Thesis that the law existed from eternity, although revealed in full through Moses; that even in heaven, before the creation, the angels observed the festivals, services and ceremonies of the law; that throughout thier lives the patriarchs all strictly carried out its behests. All these things were written on the 'tablet in heaven,' and were gradually introduced among the pious fathers as occasion offered an oppurtunity, and the teachings concerning them were laid down in writing at the very beginning."

Indeed the idea that God DETERMINED who is redeemed and who is not is elucidated here XV, 22-23: "...and he chose Israel [Christians] to be his people. And he sanctified it and and collected it from among all the children of men, for there are many nations and many peoples, and all are his, and OVER ALL HE HAS APPOINTED SPIRITS TO RULE, that they should LEAD THEM ASTRAY FROM HIM, but over Israel he did not appoint any ruler, neither an angel or spirit, but HE ALONE IS THEIR RULER, and he contends for them against the hands of his angels and his spirits and all; and they shall keep his commandments..."

The reader will also find of interest the comments on the behavior of the Patriarchs of Genesis, where they are condemned in JUBILEES whereas their sins are not condemned in the Bible.

Rating:
Summary: Book of Jubilees
Review: The Book of Jubilees is a interesting read because it is a book that many New Testament authors were familiar with and perhaps influenced by. The book tells the entire Old Testament over again from the perspective of the authors of the time (Helenistic Jews) and includes many elements not mentioned in the actual Bible or not elaborated on extensively in the actual Bible. The book relies heavily upon the work known as the Book of Enoch which also had heavy influence on the authors of the New Testament particularly the authors of Revelation and Jude. If you want to understand the Jewish thought of the time of Jesus this is a great book to read.

Rating:
Summary: Book of Jubilees
Review: The Book of Jubilees is a interesting read because it is a book that many New Testament authors were familiar with and perhaps influenced by. The book tells the entire Old Testament over again from the perspective of the authors of the time (Helenistic Jews) and includes many elements not mentioned in the actual Bible or not elaborated on extensively in the actual Bible. The book relies heavily upon the work known as the Book of Enoch which also had heavy influence on the authors of the New Testament particularly the authors of Revelation and Jude. If you want to understand the Jewish thought of the time of Jesus this is a great book to read.