Prophets

"...And you, Pashhur, and all who live in your house will go into exile to Babylon. There you will die and be buried, you, and all your friends to whom you have prophesied lies." (Jer.20:6 NIV)

I know of no secular histories or biographies regarding Pashhur's life or fate beyond this biblical account... although it may exist somewhere.

With the beating the Bible has taken at the hands of men over the centuries, however, and the popular modern pastime of some to "re-write history"... which includes their questioning the validity of the writers of the books of the Bible and whether or not they or the people they wrote about, ever really existed -- many may find it difficult to believe Pashhur or Jeremiah were real people.

Going out on a limb, therefore, in deference to my faith in the surety of the Truth of the Word of God [John 17:17] -- I have to say, "Yes, this prophecy was fulfilled... since all the rest of the prophecy was fulfilled.":

"...I will hand all Judah over to the king of Babylon, who will carry them away to Babylon or put them to the sword. I will hand over to their enemies all the wealth of this city -- all its products, all its valuables and all the treasures of the kings of Judah. They will take it away as plunder and carry it off to Babylon..." (verse 5)

[Uh... that is... if Babylon ever existed :-p]

To be accurate, however, it wasn't Jeremiah's prophecy... he was just passing along what he'd heard ['...For this is what the LORD says:..." - verse 4].

God doesn't speak idly or foolishly, like men do. We may rest assured that this prophecy came to pass. The LORD, Jesus Christ, the WORD of God said it. And He doesn't lie.

1 Samuel 9:9 likens prophets to seers: "(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)"

Ronald E. Clements says the prophetic books were clearly not written by prophets, but represent distilled collections of prophetic material, often from diverse ages. He says history writing also shows every sign of having been a complex work of composition, addition and reinterpretation. In other words, what has come down to us in the Bible often represents the outcomes for which prophecies were created after the event.

Even so, the reported success of the Old Testament prophets is mixed. The prophet Jeremiah was one of those who urged King Jehoiakim to surrender to Nebuchadrezzar, but was ignored.

In some cases, Christians have reinterpreted the prophetic writings for their own purposes. Sometimes these interpretations are spectacularly unsuccessful, even if still widely accepted, as for example the claim in Matthew's Gospel that Isaiah 7:14 was a prophecy that Jesus would be born of a virgin. Matthewrelies on the Septuagint, a flawed early Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures. Although not actually mentioning Jesus, the Septuagint does say: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." However, what the prophet Isaiah actually wrote in the original Hebrew was, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, the young woman shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." The young woman in question did have a child just a few verses later in Isaiah's book.

We can best see some of the similarities between Elijah and Jesus in Mark's Gospel, because the very structure of the gospel emphasises those similarities. In the following summary of that structure, event D, the forty days in the wilderness, is an allusion to Elijah. When Jesus goes into the wilderness, where he is ministered by angels, this is an allusion to Elijah (1 Kings 19:5-7) who was ministered by an angel and in the wilderness forty days. There is no actual suggestion that Jesus fasted for this time, but those familiar with the story of Elijah are likely to have assumed he did do so, and this similarity is made explicit in Matthew and Luke. This brings into play another allusion, to Moses when (Exodus 34:28) he fasted for 40 days while he wrote the words of the Ten Commandments on tablets. In event D', Jesus is seen talking to Elijah and Moses, whose mission he will fulfil. When Jesus asks who people say he is (event S), the disciples replied that some say Elijah, some say one of the prophets:

A . John explains the coming of Jesus (Mark 1:1-8)

B .The baptism of Jesus (1:9)

C . The voice of God from heaven, "Thou art my beloved son" (1:11)

D . The forty days in the wilderness as an allusion to Elijah and Moses (1:13)

E . The people were astonished at what Jesus taught (1:22)

F . Jesus casts out an unclean spirit (1:23-26)

G . Pharisees took counsel with the Herodians how they might destroy Jesus (3:6)

H . Demons, whenever they see Jesus, fall down and say that he is the Son of God.

-- Jesus commands that they tell no one of this (3:11-12)

I .. Jesus calls the 12 disciples (3:13-19)

J .. Jesus rejects his own family: he has a new family, his followers (3:31-35)

K . Jesus rebukes the wind (4:36-41)

L . The demoniac, wearing no clothes (5:15), cries out that Jesus not torment him and Jesus sends out the demons (5:1-20)

M . Jesus comes into his own country (6:1)
-- Where he was brought up

N . The people misunderstand Jesus and he can do no mighty work (6:2-6)

O . Jesus sends out the disciples and curses those who will not receive them (6:7-11)
-- in sending the disciples with authority and expecting all to receive them, Jesus is asserting his own authority

P . Herod thinks that Jesus is John the Baptist risen from the dead (6:14)

Q . Herodias and her daughter conspire to kill John the Baptist (6:16-29)

R . Feeding the thousands, and related miracles and discourses (6:33-8:21)

S . Who do people say that I am? Some say Elijah; some say one of the prophets (8:27)

T . Peter affirms faith in Jesus as the Christ (8:29)

U . Whosoever shall be ashamed of me: of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed (8:38)

V . The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and scribes (8:31a)

W . Be killed and after three days rise again (8:31b)

X . Prophecy of second coming (9:1)- Jesus tells the disciples that some of them would not taste death until they saw the kingdom of God coming with power.

B' .The Transfiguration of Jesus (9:2-3)

C' .The voice of God from heaven, "This is my beloved son" (9:7)

D' . Jesus talks to Elijah and Moses then to the disciples about Elijah (9:4-13)

E' .A great multitude was amazed at Jesus (9:15)

F' .Jesus cast out a dumb spirit (9:17-27)

G' .They shall kill the Son of man and he shall rise on the third day (9:31)

H' .Jesus clarifies his divine status, saying that he is not God: "Why call me good? There is none good but God" (10:18)

I' . Peter says the disciples have left all and followed Jesus (10:28)

J' . Those who have left their family for Jesus have a new family: all Jesus' followers (10:29-30)

K'. Jesus rebukes the 'sons of thunder', James and John (10:35-45 - cf 3:17)

L' .Blind Bartimaeus cries out for mercy and casts off his clothes, then Jesus heals him (10:46-52)

M' .Jesus comes into Jerusalem (11:1-10)
-- Where he will die

N' .Jesus misunderstands the fig tree that can provide no fruit (11:13-14)

O' .Jesus casts out them that sold and bought in the Temple and curses them for making the Temple a den of thieves (11:15-17)
-- Jesus is asserting his authority

P' .Jesus asks whether the baptism of John is from heaven or of men, and the priests, scribes and elders can not answer (11:30-33)

Q' .Parable of husbandmen who conspire to kill the vineyard owner's son (12:1-9)

X' .Prophecy of second coming (chapter 13)

-- on clouds of glory, within the lifetimes of some of those to whom he was speaking

R' .The Last Supper (14:17-25)

S' .Art thou the Christ, Son of God (14:61)

T' .Peter denies Jesus three times (14:66-72a)

U' .And when he thought thereon, Peter wept (14:72b)

V' .The chief priests, elders and scribes delivered Jesus to Pontius Pilate (15:1)

-- Delivering Jesus is a similar concept to rejecting him.
-- Both parts of the pair involve chief priests, elders and scribes

W' .Jesus dies and on the third day rises again (15:37, 16:6)

A' .The young man explains the departure of Jesus(16:6-8)

Mark's Gospel originally ended at verse 16:8, so the "Long Ending" (16:9-20) does not form part of the above structure as it was added much later. This new ending more or less harmonises with Luke's Gospel and ends with Jesus ascending bodily to heaven, just as Elijah did.

PROPHET MUHAMMAD, AS A TEACHERFeb 24, '09 5:54 PM

for everyone

As most of my students at UPSI will at the end become teachers it is advicable to have a closer look at the prophet Muhammad how he was just the best teacher on this earth. Let us pay attention to his life how he was as a teacher.

From awakening in the morning, walking, talking, etiquette's of eating, when answering the call of nature, behavioural conduct with fellow humans, what to pray when, how to cope with different circumstances, to retiring to sleep at night, how ones every act can be worship; our Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam taught us.

If it was a simple lesson on morality or theology, an angel could have easily delivered it to the people. But the message of Allah contains a complete code of life for solving the practical problems of life. Therefore, it was necessary for a man to show us by his own practical example.

The Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam was an educator not only for Muslims but the whole of mankind. The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam placed emphasis upon teaching the practical deeds and works. Thus, his every act spoke volumes. Meaning, the whole life of Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam is a lesson for man. As our teacher, he did not say or preach anything which he did not practice himself.

When Hadhrat Aa'ishah (R. A.) was asked regarding the Holy Prophet's Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam morals and character she replied, "His morals and character are the Qur'an."

The blessed Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam taught with great wisdom and good admonition, imparting good news to those people who accepted his call, and warned others of the consequences for those who did not listen.

Hadhrat Aa'ishah (R. A.) narrates that the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam used to be very clear in his talk so that his associates could easily memorize his words. Very often Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam used to be quiet and would not talk unless very necessary. His speech was well articulated, concise and free from absurdities or humiliation.

While teaching in a gathering, the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam refrained from mentioning anyone's name, avoiding disrespect to anyone, but used general terms, usually in the plural sense. The Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam used his whole hand to point towards something; often people with pride point with their fingers.

The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam made sure, whilst preaching to the people, that it did not become a burden on the listeners. For this, the blessed Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam did not speak to the people on consecutive days but after intervals. The Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam was well aware of the innate nature of his fellow men.

Hadhrat Anas (R. A.) reported that the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, "Create ease for people and not difficulty. Give them good tidings of Allah's mercy; don't make them disappointed or hateful." The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam took great care not to disgrace or humble his opponent.

Once the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam was sitting with his Companions (R. A.) when he Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam drew a diagram, as a means of learning, on the ground with a stick. The Holy Prophet Muhammed Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam then asked his Companions, "Do you know what it means?"

They replied, "Only Allah and his Rasul knows best". The diagram was made up of a square, through the middle ran a line which protruded outside the square, and inside the square, attached to the lower edge were drawn vertical (small) lines.

The diagram was drawn to gain the attention of the Ummah towards Imaan, Yaqeen and preparation for the after life. Explaining the meaning of the diagram the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, " The square is death, surrounding and encompassing `life'.(The space inside the square is life).No one can step outside the life or do anything after death. The long line protruding from the square represents our plans and thoughts, schemes and dreams and the things we accumulate (which exceed the time of death). And the lines on the side represent the good and adverse conditions which come upon you in this life, success and failure, happiness and regret. " This act of the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam highlights an original and intellectual rnethod of teaching, furthermore, it creates realisation towards the plain truth that we plan too far ahead.

In the 23 years of prophethood, Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam with Allah's power achieved great heights. He raised the dignity of human beings, stressed the importance of universal brotherhood and the equality of all mankind. At the time of the Holy Prophet's Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam departure from this world it was more than evident that a great revolution had occurred.

Ultimately, through his teaching the blessed Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam faithfully delivered the message entrusted to him, in turn, to this Ummah he entrusted the charge of spreading the message of Islam.

The word "hero" isn't in the King James Version of the Bible. The "Living Bible" uses it a few times in the Old Testament... but each time refers to a pagan or Gentile "hero" like "Nimrod.

"Another of the sons of Cush was Nimrod, who became a great HERO." (I Chron.1:10 LVB Living Bible)

(same verse; KJV): "And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be mighty upon the earth."

The "Living Bible" uses "hero" once in the New Testament, referring to Jesus:

"...the chief priests and other religious leaders... were trying to find some way to get rid of Him. But they could think of nothing, for He was a HERO to the people -- they hung on every word He said." (Luke 19:47-48 LVB)

(same verse; KJV): "...the chief priests and the scribes... sought to destroy Him, and could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear Him."

As for Paul... neither version calls him a "hero." Some might imagine Paul referring to himself as a "hero" in the course of one of his deeply spiritual lessons to the churches... as he seemed to delight in playing the "devil's advocate" to coerce people into thinking a little bit. He is a master in his powerful writings of switching back and forth between boasting and humility [hero and fool].

In the end, however... even Paul would deny being a hero and bow to the Lord Jesus Christ as the real "hero." Not just in the Bible... but in all the universe.

"For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by His Power, and everything is for His Glory. To Him be Glory forever." (Rom.11:36 LVB)

No.

Soap existed in Babylon in 2800 BC. A recipe for soap identical to the modern formula was found in Germany dating from about 200 AD, i.e. the Romans had soap like ours.

Boats have been around for as long as there have been people living near water - it would be impossible to discover who invented the first one. But it was certainly long before Noah, whose flood occurred only 8000 years ago.

Mirrors made of polished stone existed in Anatolia in 6000 BC, which was 3000 years before Solomon. Modern mirrors made of metal-coated glass have only existed since the first century AD, a thousand years later than Solomon.

Needles made of ivory existed in Russia about 30,000 years ago, a very long time before Idris.

Combs existed in Persia in 3000 BC, one thousand years before the time of Abraham.