Ho'omana Health Ministries

There is no such thing as chance; and what seem to us merest accident springs from the deepest source of destiny.

Friedrich Schiller (1759 - 1805)

Chance is perhaps the pseudonym of God when He does not wish to sign His work

Anatole France

The intellect has little to do on the road to discovery. There comes a leap in consciousness, call it Intuition or what you will, the solution comes to you and you don't know how or why.
 

Albert Einstein

Preparation Hymn

Discussion of the Message

Closing Meditation

Posted by Reverend at 05:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

This is the third installment of a series of seven introductory lessons in Essene studies.

Scripture Reading

Lesson 

My dear friends and fellow Essenes, it has been a bit of a strain continuing to create our Sabbath worship material while in the middle of moving to another state. That is state of Arizona, not state of mind! Well, maybe both. Anyway, it has been difficult to allow the normal amount of preparation time. Usually, I spend time all week long meditating on the subject for the next week service. Then it take approximately 8 hours of actual work on the computer to prepare a regular Sabbath service. It takes about 2 or 3 hours less to create a lesson because I do not spend time searching Youtube for appropriate worship videos.

This week I took a little short cut. I derived much of the material for this lesson from my Essene brother at the website, www.thenazareanway.com.  It is only appropriate as he truly is the expert on the Nazarean Essenes. I encourage you to visit his website sometime. He has an exhaustive amount of Essene research and study material available. He also has links to most of the Holy Scriptures that were not included in our modern Bible.

Today's lesson is quite important. It explores what was meant when the Bible referred to Yeshua as the Nazarean. In John 19:19-20 we read that Pilate, Govenor of Judea, had a sign created to be placed on the cross at Yeshua the Anointed’s execution. There are variations of the wording in different accounts of the incident. Of the four gospels about the event, the phrase in John 19:19-20 is the most informative. It gives the name Yeshua, states that he is of Nazereth, gives him the almost sarcastic title, "King of the Jews" and  tells us that this is written in three languages.

Most bible translations of John 19:19 have: “of Nazareth.” There are variations in the translated spelling and pronunciation of this word (i.e., Natsareth, Nazorean, Notzori, Notsree, etc.). The Interlinear Bible - Hebrew and Greek, by J. Green Sr., Hendirckson Publishers, has the literal Greek: ‘ho nazoraios’ translated into English as ‘the Nazarean’

Little is taught about the place where Yeshua the Anointed was from. The locations where his  ministry took place is recorded in the New Testament. But a reader seldom associates the adjacency of the locations within the two geographic regions of Yeshua’s ministry. Many scholars challenge the assumption that Nazareth was a literal place: a town or city in Gallilee. Here are the facts that challenge the belief that Nazareth was literally just the place where Yeshua grew up.

1) There is no place called Nazareth in the Old Testament.

2) The term Nazarene or Nazarenes is not found in the Old Testament. This can be easily verified by looking in James Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance.

We know that present-day Nazareth is located in the region called Galilee in Northern Israel. Galilee is the biblical land given to the tribe of Zebulun in Johsua 19:10-16. In those passages there were twelve towns and six villages mentioned, but not Nazareth. This indicates Nazareth did not exist then as a town or village at that time.

Nazareth is not found among in the sixty-three towns of Galilee mentioned in the Talmud which was written much later, about AD 200-300. This might be for a variety of reasons. The Old Testament ends with the death of the last prophet Malachi. It was about 400 years later that the birth of Yeshua occurred. The Rabbinic writers of the Talmud may have not included him or where he was from, because they did not accept him as the prophesied Messiah.  The rabbis heritage is of the Pharisee lineage and did not accept Yeshua's teachings. Nazareth (correctly pronounced ‘Nats-a-reth’) appears 29 times in the New Testament but only in the Gospels and in Acts. The word ‘Nazarene’ and ‘Nazarenes’ appear once. But, most scholars think the first book of the New Testament was not available in Greek until after AD 67.

The Jewish historian, Josephus lived after the death of Yeshua from 37 to 100 AD. He traveled widely, visiting forty-five cities in the first century. He mentions Yeshua only once in his Antiquities of the Jews, but does not mention Nazareth.

Ancient Nazareth has not been identified archeologically. Only a suspected site has been reported in Bible Archeology Review magazine. All these facts has caused at least one author to conclude that the evidence for a first century city, town, or village called Nazareth, does not exist - not literary, historically, or archeologically.

How do these facts fit with what is commonly understood in the New Testament? Was there an ancient town of Nazareth? If so, where was it located? If not, who were the Nazarenes? Why were Yeshua the Anointed and his followers called a ‘sect’ by the religious establishment? Why was it said of Yeshua: “what good can come from a Nazarene? Why did Nazareth not grow and become more well known with the normal increase in population?

The Essenes, however, were radically different from the Sadducees and Pharisees and openly opposed their theology and doctrines. They also questioned the spiritual integrity of the Temple in Jerusalem. The Bible is silent on the Essene sect and most people did not know they existed until the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls at Qumran. Yet, there is reliable information about when they came into prominence, their traditions, deeply rooted convictions, beliefs, writings, and specific locations where they existed.

The word Essene is a collective term. At the time of Yeshua there existed three distinct Essene groups. They were: The Theraputae of Egypt, the Essenes of Qumran, and the Essenes of Mount Carmel. Josephus and other classic writers tell of the Essenes and their intense appreciation for the inspired Law of Yahweh, and that they: “strove to be like the angels of heaven.”

There were certain attributes that all Essenes had in common. All opposed slavery and believed in the equality of all humankind. As a general rule, Essenes opposed the sacrificing of animals and the eating of flesh. Their highest aim was to become fit temples in which Holy Spirit of God could dwell and florish, to be healers and to perform cures, especially spiritual cures.

There is much evidence that Yosef and Miriam belonged to the Northern Essene sect and Yeshua was raised within this sect. Certainly it is hard to refute that Yeshua the Anointed had at least regional exposure to the Essenes of Mount Carmel in Northern Israel. It is clearly the area where Yeshua lived and studied. While the Northern Essenes had ongoing contact with their brethren in the South, Yeshua was not raised and trained at Qumran as some in the modern Essene movement want to believe. A map provides confirmation of this point.

The location of present day Nazareth is near the foot of Mount Carmel and not far from Lake Galilee, whereas the location of Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Qumran is in southern Israel. Further, the travels of Yosef, Miriam, and Yeshua is reasonably well documented:

Prior to the birth of Yeshua, Yosef and Miriam are said to have lived in a place identified as Nazareth which is in Northern Israel. If this identification is a place name, it must have been a small, little known, settlement. If it had been a city, town, or even a large village surely its presence would have been recorded. At the end of a long journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the Feast Days (Atonement, Trumpets, Tabernacles, Great Last Day) in the autumn, Miriam gave birth to  Yeshua. Rome utilized these holy convocations, which occurred after the harvest, as an occasion to collect taxes. But that year Rome also required a registry of allegiance to the Emperor by those with linage to the royal family. Miriam was of the house of David.

Being warned that Herod was going to kill baby Yeshua, Yosef took Miriam and fled southwest into Egypt. Specifically where they went is not recorded in the scriptures. After the death of Herod, the family returned to Nazareth. Yeshua apparently grew up in Nazareth but scripture records he visited the Temple in Jerusalem when he was twelve years old.

Yeshua launched his public ministry in Capernaum near Lake Galilee in northern Israel. As a grown man, Yeshua journeyed to southern Israel to a place not far from Qumran where he was immersed in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. After his baptism, Yeshua returned to northern Israel. There, in the region between Lake Galilee and Mount Carmel, he conducted his ministry.

Yeshua again journeyed to southern Israel when he knew the time had come for a confrontation with the authorities in Jerusalem, and it was during this visit that he was arrested, tried and crucified. It is a long journey from the area near Mount Carmel to Jerusalem. It is nearly the entire length of the nation of Israel, to travel on foot from Lake Galilee to the Salt Sea. There were no paved roads, the climate was hot half of the year, and the elevation varied. All things considered, a journey from northern to southern Israel for religious observance was no easy thing two thousand years ago.

It is not commonly realized, but nearly every major event recorded in New Testament about the life of Yeshua the Anointed - except for his birth, baptism, and death, occurred in northern Israel, in the region between Mount Carmel and Lake Galilee. This is the area where the vast majority of Yeshua's verbal teaching occured. For instance, one of Yeshua's most famous set of teachings, the sermon on the Mount, occured on Mount Carmel. Here are a few of the other well known events that occured in the Northern region of Israel:

1) The miraculous feeding of 5,000

2) The wedding at Cana where Yeshua turned water into wine

3) The anointing with oil by Mary Magdalene

4) The calling of Andrew and Peter, Phillip, Nathaniel, and Matthew

5) The sending forth of the twelve and the sending of the seventy-two disciples

6)  The healings of the leper and the man with palsy

7)  The teaching of the Lord's prayer to the Apostles

The scriptures show that Yeshua the Anointed lived most of his known life in northern Israel. Yet the scriptures do not give a specific link with the Essenes of Mount Carmel. Perhaps this link was not necessary because at that time it was a well understood fact that those who came from the small communities around Mount Carmel were of Essene heritage? Some scholars postulate that the small community identified as Nazareth was not so much a place name as an identification of the type of people at that site. Nazareth is derived from a word meaning "set apart". Perhaps the community of people at the foot of Mount Carmel were identified as Nazoreans because as Essenes they were "set apart" from the traditional Jewish sects of Pharisees and Saducees. Perhaps they were given this identification because they were a special set apart group of Essenes - the sect of Nazarenes. 

The word Nazarene bears some resemblance as well to Nazarite as in the "Vow of the Nazarite" described in Numbers 6:1-27. The vow of the Nazarite was a voluntary vow made by those wishing to separate themselves to the Lord. The length of the vow was determined by the person making the vow. There were three requirements: dietary restrictions, no cutting of hair and set apart from unclean. Perhaps many of the devout Essenes that settled at the foot of Mount Carmel took upon themselves a special and more set apart lifestyle than the average Essene? 

Yeshua certainly taught a religion that went beyond the parameters of the Law. He taught love, mercy and forgiveness.  That set him apart from the religious establishment of the day.  Certainiy these teachings are in keeping with all Essene doctrines.  There is an important fact, however, which shows Yeshua was not a Qumran Essene. That fact is: John the Baptist did not recognize Yeshua. This non-recognition by John has been widely pondered because Yeshua was John’s cousin. It is commonly assumed their families had fellowship, and surely fellowship would have occurred at the feast days. But it seems not so.

There is near unanimity amongst scholars that John the Baptist was an Essene from Qumran. Why would they conclude this? Scholars point out that the Essenes at Qumran often raised or adopted orphaned male children. The New Testament informs us that after Herod had John the Baptist’s father, Zachariah, murdered, John “went to live in the desert.” Obviously, a small child could not survive alone in the desert, so it is concluded that John was raised by the Essenes at Qumran. The Essenes at Qumran choose to be a cloister because of their religious differences with the Sadducees and Pharisees. The community did not participate in the affairs at the Temple.

There is other circumstantial evidence that John the Baptist was from Qumran. Qumran is not far from where the Jordan River connects with the Salt (Dead) Sea. Tradition tells us John performed his baptisms near this location. John lived in the desert southwest of the Jordan where Qumran is located. John’s dress and diet was plain. He is alleged to have been a vegetarian. The ‘locust’ he ate are said to have been the fruit of the Locust tree. The Locust tree is also known as the carob tree. Its edible seed pods are also known as St John's fruit. John's method of baptism (immersion) was similar to the Qumran Essene’s ritual bathing several times a day. The Qumran Essenes were called ‘Baptists' because of this ritual.

John’s prophetic theology also matches what is known of the Essenes at Qumran. In the ‘Community Rule’ of the Essenes of Qumran, one of the writings found in the Dead Sea Scrolls, it states their goal as: “To prepare the way for the Messiah in the desert wilderness... to prepare a people to meet the Master.” Similarly, in the New Testament, John the Baptist declares in John 1:23 “I am a voice crying out in the desert wilderness, make straight the way of Yahweh.”

There are parallels between Eliyah and John the Baptist. Isaiah, who lived hundreds of years before John and Yeshua, prophesied that before the ‘Messiah of Peace’ would manifest himself to Israel, two things had to occur. First, a group of people must “prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. Then, Eliyah must return to earth to prepare the way and announce the coming of the Messiah. An astute reader of the New Testament is aware that Yeshua the Anointed declared that John the Baptist is the returned Eliyah.

Even an astute reader, however, is probably unaware of this interesting and not widely known fact. The place on the east bank of the Jordan River where it empties into the Salt Sea and where John performed his baptisms, is the same place where, about 800 years previous, Elijah ascended into heaven in a ‘chariot of fire.’ Eliyah is also said to have worn a camel hair robe and was unshaven.

If indeed John the Baptist was raised in the cloistered monastery at Qumran, isolated for years from family members, it could explain why he did not recognized his cousin Yeshua. This would not have been the case if Yeshua had ever stayed at the Essene community at Qumran. The Essenes at Qumran and the Essenes at Mount Carmel had distinct differences in practice.

The Essenes at Qumran were a strict monastic commune for celibate males. Most other Essene Communities - such as at the foot of Mount Carmel  consisted of families. Essenes were ecumenical and naturally had different rules. It would be logical to conclude that Yosef and Miriam would have been influenced by the Northern Essenes at Mount Carmel, therefore it would be expected that the life and teachings of Yeshua would be similar. Being from Nazareth and in an area inhabited by Northern Essenes can explain why Yeshua would be called a ‘Nazarene.’ It would identify him as being from this distinct group of Essenes.

Before further considering Nazareth, the Essene community at Mount Carmel, and the name given to the Essenes from there, one must be aware of other related information. It is known from the writings of Philo, a Jewish Philosopher who lived about 2000 years ago, there was an Essene community of “Theraputae” or “healers” at Lake Mareotis in Egypt. It is thought almost certainly this community provided a sanctuary for Yosef, Miriam and baby Yeshua when they fled Southwest into Egypt. Yosef surely would have known about the Theraputae. It would have been the logical place to go because it was a commune with like-type Essene beliefs, and because it was beyond Herod’s jurisdiction.

After Herod died, the family returned to Northern Israel and settled again in Nazareth. According to The Armageddon Script the word ‘Nazarene’ came to be applied to Northern  Essenes in general and to those from that area. The Northern Essene’s settlement near the foot of Mount Carmel where Yeshua lived probably later became known as Nazereth because of its distinction of being the hometown of the most prominent Nazarene, Yeshua. Perhaps this is the site where modern-day Nazareth is located.

Thus, a ‘Nazarene’ is a ‘Northern Essene’ associated with Mount Carmel, and Yeshua the Anointed being from Nazareth became known as‘Yeshua the Nazarene’ in John 19:19-20. In the New Testament book of Acts, the early converts from Judaism are called “the sect of the Nazarenes.”

From the statement in the New Testament: “nothing good comes from Nazareth” the Sadducees and Pharisees in Jerusalem apparently held Nazarenes in low regard. This may have been because they were collectively grouped with the Essenes who had refused to make animal sacrifices at the Temple. It may have been because Nazarenes were from a remote rural area. Also, they tended to be independent of the dictates of the religious establishment in Jerusalem who prohibited the using the name of the Father Yahweh in prayer, as Yeshua the Anointed did  in his prayers.

In Luke 4:16 there is mention of Yeshua entering a synagogue in Nazareth on the Day of Sabbaths (Weeks, Pentecost). That day would have been the ‘First of the Sabbath,’ now called Sunday. It was the fiftieth day and the morrow, counting inclusively with the day of the Elevated (Wave) Offering made during the Days of Unleavened Bread. Yeshua read from the scroll of Isaiah:

“The spirit of Yahweh is upon me, because he appointed me to preach good tidings to the poor: He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to proclaim the acceptable year of Yahweh...”

The reading was recognition of the fulfilment of the prophecy in Yeshua the Anointed. But after the reading his ‘chastisement teaching’ caused him to be put out of the synagogue, led out of Nazareth, and almost thrown over the brow of a hill.

This incident prompted Yeshua to note that "a prophet is not acceptable in his own homeland." He continued to preach and teach in the surrounding area, however, and the area is still identified by the "set apart" sect of Nazarenes. The Nazarenes came to the Holy Mount of Carmel to live holy lives that would prepare the way for the Messiah. Their efforts were rewarded when Yeshua, the Anointed One arrived. These Essenes, as keepere of the true faith and seekers of the Way, were privileged to bring into the world the One who guided us all to the Way, the Truth and the Life. 

Some other interesting facts

Is it known how long the ‘Nazarenes’ existed?

In the fourth century Epiphanius, the Catholic Bishop of Constantia, wrote a book called Panarion. In it he mentions there were then ‘Nazarenes’ related to the ancient order of Essenes, that the followers of Yeshua the Anointed “were known as Nazarenes,” and that “the sect of the Nazarenes” existed prior to Yeshua’s birth. But rather than admit that the Nazarenes were the true custodians of the teachings of Yeshua, Epiphanius denounced them as heretics because what they taught was not then according to Catholic dogma. The Nazarene remnant seems to have been hunted down and killed before and during this time.

What is known of Mount Carmel?

The literal meaning of Carmel in Hebrew is ‘garden paradise.’ In The Religion of the Semites by  W. Robertson Smith, Mount Carmel was considered so holy that spilling of human or animal blood, or harm to a tree, or to natural life there, was forbidden. These rules applied not only to the Northern Essenes, but also to anyone who climbed the mountain. Permanent dwellings were not permitted on the mountain. Those who lived there are said to have stayed in temporary dwellings or tents.

In The Life of Pythagoras written in the 2nd century by Jambichus, we learn that the young seeker,  Pythagoras visited an Essene sanctuary on Mount Carmel:

Pythagoras then climbed Mount Carmel where he evidently received powerful teachings from the Northern Essenes; for when he returned to the ship, the sailors, who had hatched a secret plan to sell young Pythagoras into slavery, were mesmerized by his spiritual luminosity and unable to harm him. The sailors, according to Jamblichus, believed Pythagoras had become “supernatural.” Pythagoras went on to become an exponent of vegetarianism, fasting and other Essene practices. Thereafter he and his followers wore only white linen garments, as did the Essenes on Mount Carmel.

As mentioned earlier, the Northern Essenes held to certain religious practices which did not agree with the Sadducees and Pharisees at Jerusalem. What likely most offended other Jews was the steadfast refusal of the Essenes to offer animal sacrifices at the Temple...so adamant were the Essenes on this point it eventually led some to separate themselves and to establish of a kind of sanctuary on Mount Carmel.

One of the reasons the Essenes chose Mount Carmel was because of its connection with Eliyah the prophet. Many years earlier Eliyah had a school for prophets in a cave there. The cave could have been the ‘sanctuary’ of the Essenes. The location of what is said to have been Eliyah’s cave is known and can be visited today. As Eliyah was the sole true remnant of Israel, so too did the Essenes believe of themselves as they made their way to Mount Carmel. And, just as Eliyah had built the altar on Mount Carmel with twelve stones - one for each tribe of Israel, so the Essenes likewise could hope to restore true worship there.

A few miles from the base of Mount Carmel the Essenes apparently had a settlement of permanent structures for their families, and perhaps it was, or came to be called, Nazareth. It is in the “hill country” where apparently only few choose to live. One of the reasons Nazareth did not grow significantly over centuries is because the only reliable water supply was one small spring, until modern times.

The Catholic monastic order of “White Friars” currently established on Mount Carmel moved there in the 12th century. They adopted vegetarianism and the white robes of the Essene monks that still survived when the friars arrived. The Catholic “Carmelites” assert that Yeshua was an Essene and he was raised on Mount Carmel. Such information is available from various sources including The Essene Christ by Upton Ewing, the Catholic Carmelites’ own history books, and the Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th Edition, vol. 5., pg. 358.

Posted by Reverend at 07:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

This lesson is the second installment in a series of introductory Essene studies.

 The foundation series will provide background history and an understanding of the fundamentals of our worship to those who are new to the Essene Way. 

This study time will replace our Sabbath message today. 

Our church leader, Rev. Vivian, is traveling in Arizona searching for a new location in which to base the ministry. 

Call to God

Click below. Listen and recite the invocation in Hebrew along with the cantor.  Let the words resonate within you. Open your heart and prepare to study with Wisdom.

   "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one"

 Deuteronomy 6:4

 Prayer

Our Father and Mother

who are in heaven, 

and around us,

and within us

 Holy is Your Name.

Your Kingdom is upon us,

as is Your will.

Your are here on earth,

and in the heavens.

We are never in need

because You provide.

By forgiving our mistakes, 

You have taught us

to forgive others.

You lead your children

in the path of light,

and guide us away 

from the darkness

because Your kingdom

and power, and glory

are within us.

Amen

Scripture Reading

¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
       because the LORD has anointed me
       to preach good news to the poor.
       He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
       to proclaim freedom for the captives
       and release from darkness for the prisoners, 

 ² to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
       and the day of vengeance of our God,
       to comfort all who mourn,

 ³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
       to bestow on them a crown of beauty
       instead of ashes,
       the oil of gladness
       instead of mourning,
       and a garment of praise
       instead of a spirit of despair.
       They will be called oaks of righteousness,
       a planting of the LORD
       for the display of his splendor.

 ⁴ They will rebuild the ancient ruins
       and restore the places long devastated;
       they will renew the ruined cities
       that have been devastated for generations.

Isaiah 61: 1-4

 ¹⁶He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. ¹⁷The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
 ¹⁸"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
      because he has anointed me
      to preach good news to the poor.
   He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
      and recovery of sight for the blind,
   to release the oppressed,
    ¹⁹to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

 ²⁰Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, ²¹and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

Luke 4:14-20

Lesson 

This lessons explores a sect of 1^st century Essenes known as Therapeutae. The Therapeutae and Therapeutridae (the female members of the sect) were an early pre-Christian Essenic order. The Therapeutae were healers, mystics and ascetics who lived especially in the area around Alexandria. Most of what we know of this sect has been derived from the writings of  the Jewish philosopher, Philo Judaeus of Alexandria. Philo knew of the group from personal experience. Philo lived from 20 BC to 50 AD. He was a Jew from an aristocratic family that had lived in Alexandria for generations. He is our only ancient source on the Therapuetae. Fortunately he provided a very detailed description of their lifestyle.

Philo was a skilled philosopher and a prolific writer. His work was highly valued by the Jewish community and the early Christians and as a result many of his writings have survived intact. Philo described the Therapeutae in one of his writings, "De Vita Contemplativa" (On the Contemplative Life") circa AD10. From him we learn that the Therapeutae had a well established community on a low hill by the Lake Mareotis close to Alexandria, the capital of Ptolemaic Egypt. Philo was also aware that there were many other communities of Therapeutae established in other regions. Philo stated that "this class of persons may be met with in many places, for both Greece and barbarian countries want to enjoy whatever is perfectly good." (Philo, para.)

Philo explained the etymology of their name as meaning either physicians of souls or servants of God. The Greek word, from which Therapeutae is derived, θεραπεύω, can be translated either "to heal" or "to serve'. Philo differentiated the Therapeutae from other Essenic communities by their lifestyles. The other Essene groups led a more practical and active life. They raised families and participated in the community. The Therapeutae, on the other hand, were dedicated to contemplative life. As such, the Therapeutae are considered the forerunners of current monastic orders.

The practices of the Therapeutae that were described by Philo are often pointed out as the first picture of Christian monastic life. Eusebius of Caesarea, was the first to give the Therapeutae this distinction. Eusebius was a bishop in Palestine around 300 AD. He is often considered the "Father of Church History" due to his work of recording the history of the early church. Eusebius was so sure of his identification of Therapeutae with Christian monasticism that he concluded that Philo, who admired them so much, must also have  been a Christian himself. He did not realize that Philo's essay was written when Yeshua was just a small child! This only serves to emphasize, however, that the Essenes were indeed the precursor and creators of the early church of the Way.

In describing the Therapeutae, Philo writes, "They lived chastely with utter simplicity. They first of all laid down temperance as a sort of foundation for the soul to rest upon and proceed to build up other virtues on this foundation." They were dedicate to the contemplative life. Their activities for six days of the week consisted of disciplined practices, fasting, prayers, and study of the scripture. Philo states, "the entire interval from dawn to evening is given up by them to spiritual exercises". "They read the holy scriptures and draw out thought and allegory for their ancestral philosophy, since they regard the literal meanings as symbols of an inner and hidden nature revealing itself in covert ideas" (Philo, para. 28)

Like the first Christian hermits of the Egyptian desert, the Therapeutae lived alone rather than communally as the later monastic communities would do.  They gathered together on the Sabbath for prayer and a common meal. Then once every 7 weeks (49 days) they would meet for an all night vigil in which they would serve one another. Philo stated, "they are not waited on by slaves, because they deem any possession of servants to be contrary to nature. For she has begotten all men alike free" (Philo, para 70) The renunciation of slavery was a common philosophy in Essene and early Christian congregations.  The Therapeutae also renounced all property as did the early church of Yeshua.

The Therapeutae had a great reputation for healing. They enjoyed great health themselves as well. In Philo's view the reason for this health and for their ability to heal others was the lifestyle that they lived. He stated that the Theraeutae "professed an art of healing superior to that practiced in the cities". Their art of healing derives from the simplicity of their way of life. Escaping the noise of the city, they embrace the natural way, living in the gardens, enjoying the fresh air and the calm and beauty of the countryside. Apart from that, they have the opportunity to practice inner solitude, not because they are misanthropes, but because they are aware that "in every city, even the best governed, is full of turmoils and disturbances innumerable which no one could endure who has ever been once under the guidance of wisdom".

Various formative influences on the Therapeutae have been conjectured. In addition to the five books of Moses and the psalms, the Therapeutae utilized other holy books. They also had a method of numerology that they incorporated into their philosophy.  Book of Enoch and Jubilees exemplify the Hebrew tradition for the mystic values of numbers and for allegorical interpretations, without having to reach to Zoroaster or Pythagoreans.

There is obvious correlation between the healing ministries of the Therapeutae and the ministry of Yeshua. Yeshua is associated  with many miracles in the course of his ministry. The bulk of His miracles were healings or various cures. There are also a large number of exorcisms, three raisings of dead persons to life, and various other miracles that all include the healing of either the mind, the body or the soul. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Yeshua spent his early childhood in Egypt. Joseph and Mary, as Essene Jews, would most likely have fled to communities of similar philosophy. They fled to the Therapeutae, the Essene healers of Egypt. 

It is appropriate then, that Yeshua, the great healer, when he began his ministry, would stand in the synagogue and read the scripture from Isaiah 61 that we read in the scriptures above. Read the words again and you will see it is all about healing. He was sent to  give sight to the blind, "bind up the broken hearted" (emotional healing), comfort those who mourn" (healing grief), and "restore the places long devastated" (heal society).

The Therapeutae were the epitome of Essene society in their holiness and purity. They devoted themselves to study and worship of God. It was out of this purity of lifestyle that they were able to heal others. One can not be a healer until one is already whole.   Yeshua was the epitome of a Therapeutae. Through His life and His ministry to others he provided us with a road map- the Way, to heal ourselves. Then, He went a step further. He commissioned His disciples to go out and share the good news of the Kingdom of God AND heal the sick. Healing is an integral part of the ministry of God's chosen. With the joy, security, and strength that come from finding our place in the family of God, comes responsibility. Those who are made whole are to tend the wounded in this world. As followers of Yeshua, we have the same calling delineated in  Isaiah 61.  I encourage you to read those words again aloud now.  Make them your own.

You see, we have not just been studying about an ancient order of Jews that died out in the 1st century AD. We have been learning about eternal principles and guidelines that began before creation. These are principles of correct choices, upright lifestyle, and pure living that lead to enlightenment of spirit.  It is the Essene path that was followed by Enoch, Noah, Moses, and a multitude of others. As called, chosen and enlightened souls following the Way of Yeshua, YOU are Therapeutae and Therapeutridae 

The Healing Miracles of Yeshua

Healing of a woodcutter's foot; Infancy Gospel of Thomas

Playmate killed and raised from dead; Infancy Narrative of James

Cure of centurion's son (servant) Mt 8:5–13 Lk 7:1–10 Jn 4:46–54

Cure of a demoniac Mk 1:23–28 Lk 4:33–37

Cure of Peter's mother-in-law' s fever Mt 8:14–15 Mk 1:29–31 Lk 4:38

Cure of a leper Mt 8:1–4 Mk 1:40–45 Lk 5:12–19

Cure of a paralytic at Capharnaum Mt 9:1–8 Mk 1:40–45 Lk 4:12–19

Cure of a sick man at Bethesda Jn 5:1–15

Healing of a man's withered hand Mt 12:9–13 Mk 3:1–6 Lk 6:6–11

Raising of the son of the widow of Nain Lk 7:11–17

Healing of a blind and dumb demoniac Mt 12:22

Expulsion of demons in Gadara Mt 8:29–34 Mk 4:35–41 Lk 8:26–39

Raising (curing) of Jairus' daughter Mt 9:18–26 Mk 5:21–43 Lk 8:40

Healing of a woman with a hemorrhage Mt 9:20–22 Mk 5:24–34 Lk 8:43

Restoration of two men's sight Mt 9:27–31

Healing of a mute demoniac Mt 9:32–34

Exorcism of a Canaanite (Syro-Phoenecian) woman Mt 15:21–28 Mk 7:24

Healing of a deaf-mute Mk 7:31–37

Restoration of a man's sight at Bethsaida Mk 8:22

Exorcism of a possessed boy Mt 17:14–21 Mk 9:13–28 Lk 9:37–43

Healing of the blind man Bartimaus Jn 9:1–38

Healing of large numbers of crippled, blind and mute Mt 15:29

Healing of a woman on the Sabbath Lk 13:10–17

Raising of Lazarus from the dead Jn 11:1–44

Healing of a man with dropsy Lk 14:1–6

Healing of ten lepers Lk 17:11–19

Healing of two blind men at Jericho Mt 20:29–34 Mk 10:46–52 Lk 18:35

Healing of High Priest's servant's ear

Of all the miracles of  Yeshua, only five do not include a healing or a cure. They are also the five miracles of Yeshua that are considered metaphors or pictures of a greater spiritual lesson. In other words, they were a way for Yeshua to drive home a great spiritual point. These miracles were:

Turning water into wine Jn 2:1–11

Feeding the 5000 Mt 14:13–21 Mk 6:34–44 Lk 9:12–17 Jn 6:1–15

Calming a storm at sea Mt 8:23–27 Mk 4:35–41 Lk 8:22–25

Converting bread and wine into his Body and Blood Mt 26:26–30 Mk 14:22–26 Lk 22:14–20 1 Cor 11:23–26

Walking on water Mt 14:22 Mk 6:45–52 Jn 6:16–21

Selected Excerpts from Philo's Writings on Therapeutae

(To read the full essay click here)

(1) Having mentioned the Essenes, who in all respects selected for their admiration and for their especial adoption the practical course of life, and who excel in all, or what perhaps may be a less unpopular and invidious thing to say, in most of its parts, I will now proceed, in the regular order of my subject, to speak of those who have embraced the speculative life, and I will say what appears to me to be desirable to be said on the subject, not drawing any fictitious statements from my own head for the sake of improving the appearance of that side of the question which nearly all poets and essayists are much accustomed to do in the scarcity of good actions to extol, but with the greatest simplicity adhering strictly to the truth itself, to which I know well that even the most eloquent men do not keep close in their speeches.

Nevertheless we must make the endeavour and labour to attain to this virtue; for it is not right that the greatness of the virtue of the men should be a cause of silence to those who do not think it right that anything which is creditable should be suppressed in silence.

Regarding The Name Therapeutae

(2) Now the lifestyle of these philosophers is at once displayed from the appellation given to them; for with strict regard to etymology, they are called Therapeutae and Therapeutrides,\1/ either because they profess an art of medicine more excellent than that in general use in cities (for that only heals bodies, but the other heals souls which are under the mastery of terrible and almost incurable diseases, which pleasures and appetites, fears and griefs, and covetousness, and follies, and injustice, and all the rest of the innumerable multitude of other passions and vices, have inflicted upon them), or else because they have been instructed by nature and the sacred laws to serve the living God, who is superior to the good, and more simple than the one, and more ancient than the monad; (3) with whom, however, who is there of those who profess piety that we can possibly compare?

Search for Comparison with Other Religious Groups

(7) Again, what shall we say of those who worship carved works and images? the substances of which, stone and wood, were only a little while before perfectly destitute of shape, before the stone-cutters or wood-cutters hewed them out of the kindred stuff around them, while the remainder of the material, their near relation and brother as it were, is made into ewers, or foot-pans, and other common and dishonoured vessels, which are employed rather for uses of darkness than for such as will bear the light; (8) for as for the customs of the Egyptians, it is not creditable even to mention them, for they have introduced irrational beasts, ...(9) And though they actually see that these animals are born, and that they are in need of food, and that they are insatiable in voracity and full of all sorts of filth, and moreover poisonous and devourers of men, and liable to be destroyed by all kinds of diseases, and that in fact they are often destroyed not only by natural deaths, but also by violence, still they, ...though rational men, they worship irrational beasts; though they have a near relationship to the Deity, they worship creatures unworthy of being compared even to some of the beasts; though appointed as rulers and masters, they worship creatures which are by nature subjects and slaves.

II. (10) But since these men infect not only their fellow countrymen, but also all that come near them with folly, let them remain uncovered, being mutilated in that most indispensable of all the outward senses, namely, sight. I am speaking here not of the sight of the body, but of that of the soul, by which alone truth and falsehood are distinguished from one another.

(11) But the therapeutic race [Greek genoV], being continually taught to see without interruption, may well aim at obtaining a sight of the living God, and may pass by the sun, which is visible to the outward sense, and never leave this order which conducts to perfect happiness. (12) But they who apply themselves to this kind of service, not because they are influenced to do so by custom, nor by the advice or recommendation of any particular persons, but because they are carried away by a certain heavenly love, give way to enthusiasm, behaving like so many revellers in bacchanalian or corybantian mysteries, until they see the object which they have been earnestly desiring.

(90) This then is what I have to say of those who are called Therapeutae, who have devoted themselves to the contemplation of nature, and who have lived in it and in the soul alone, being citizens of heaven and of the world, and very acceptable to the Father and Creator of the universe because of their virtue, which has procured them his love as their most appropriate reward, which far surpasses all the gifts of fortune, and conducts them to the very summit and perfection of happiness.

Posted by Reverend at 01:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Vegan Banana Milk Smoothie

I use this two ways. It is a delicious creamy smoothie. It can also be used as a "milk" of sorts. I put it over my granola in the morning....yummy!

Total Time: 5 min

SERVES 1

1 medium banana, peeled

1/2 cup apple juice

1 pinch sea salt

1 dash vanilla

4 ice cubes

1. Throw it all in a blender and blend until frothy

2. Serve.

3. As noted above, you can add one tablespoon ground flax, wheat germ or oat bran as desired for a "boost"

"Purple Cow" Smoothie

Yes, I named it after that favorite drink of childhood. This version, is a tastier vegan version of the old classic. Very easy too! It makes a good quick breakfast.

Total Time: 5 min

SERVES 2

1 cup apple juice

1/4 cup walnuts

2 cups red grapes, washed seeded

2 cups ice

Put apple juice and walnuts into a blender. Blend on high until smooth. Add grapes and ice. Blend again on high until well blended. Pour into glasses and enjoy!!

Very Berry Smoothie

A quick and yummy treat and since the main ingredient is blueberries, it is loaded with anti-oxidants. Each serving has 222 calories and only 23 of those calories are from fat. The recipe is heart-health with NO cholesterol, very low sodium (only 70 mg) and high fiber (a whopping 6.3 grams). You can increase the fiber even more and add some omega 3 fatty acids by adding a tablespoon of ground flax seed before blending.

5 minutes preparation time

Serves 2

1 Cup Vanilla Soy milk

1 1/2 cup frozen whole blueberries

1/2 cup frozen strawberries

1 tablespoon Maple or Agave Syrup

2 ice cubes

Put all ingredients in a blender

Blend until smooth.

Serve immediately

This is a great healthy breakfast or snack when you are in too big a hurry to eat.

Posted by Reverend at 01:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Posted by Reverend at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Posted by Reverend at 06:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

options