The serpent tricks Eve into eating from the tree of knowledge. They realize they're naked. God calls them out when he sees they're hiding their nakedness. God curses the serpent (with being a lowly creature antagonizing but ruled over by man), the woman (pain in childbirth, dominance of the husband), and the man (difficulty in plowing the land and getting useful crops). Adam names Eve. God then (apparently talking to himself in plural), decides to kick Adam and Eve out of the garden.
- Why is the garden no longer findable? Is it figurative? If so, what is the meaning of the sword and the cherubim guards. If it weren't findable, why have guards?
- Much is made of Genesis 3:15 "he [offspring of woman] shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." Many refer to this as the Protoeuangelion, an early prophecy of Jesus's suffering at and triumph over evil. It's an interesting thought, but is there supporting evidence of this?
- Why is woman being dominated by man chosen as a punishment? Were they equals before? And why does patriarchy look like typical primate social order if it was specifically a punishment?
John the Baptist, living ascetically in the wilderness, is baptizing people and preaching repentance. This fulfills a prophecy of Isaiah. He challenges the Pharisees and Sadducees who come, telling them that their descent from Abraham doesn't make them special. He asserts that someone is coming who is greater than him, who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire instead of water, and who will separate wheat from chaff.
Jesus appears and lets John baptize him. John demurs, but Jesus encourages him to "fulfill all righteousness" (more prophecy?) Upon his baptism, the heavens opened and a visible manifestation of the "Spirit of God" descends upon him, and God himself asserts that "this is my beloved Son".
- Who else was there that day, and did they spread the word?
- Not a question: It's interesting that John stands up and tells the hierarchical Jews of the time that their descent doesn't make them special, when for so long their descent is specifically what did make them special, per the convenant with Abraham.
Ezra 3
Some of the Israelites begin building the alter and using it, getting back to offerings at the appointed times. The priests then supervise the acquisition of materials and building of the temple. They lay the foundation. Some of the old men wept while others shouted for joy.
- Not a question: The imagery here is historically heavy. One can imagine young people cheering as the foundation is laid and their faith's physical presence reasserted, while older men weep as they remember thinking they'd never see Jerusalem or the temple again, and knowing their children and grandchildren will. Having a home is important.
Peter and John heal a lame beggar who typically posts up at the temple. They heal him in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He is miraculously healed and people marvel. Peter takes it as an opportunity to preach. He states that Jesus was glorified by God, calls them out for participating in his killing and choosing to free a murderer instead of him, and brings it around to explain that faith in the name of Jesus is what healed the man. More references to prophecy, where apparently Moses foretells Jesus, and calls for repentance.
- Is this emphasis on repentance common in religions of the time? In Judaism? Would repentance have been a foreign concept?
- When Mosess says that anyone who does not listen to the prophet that comes after him, he will be "destroyed from the people", what does he mean? Cut off? Damned eternally?
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