From: RFaussette@aol.com
Date: Sat Feb 22 2003 - 07:44:16 EST
In a message dated 2/22/03 12:44:27 AM Eastern Standard Time,
dfwinterstein@msn.com writes:
> Rich wrote:
>
> >Israelites do not embrace farming. They are strictly pastoralists….
>
> I think what you say was strictly true only of the patriarchs. As early as
> Num. 11:5 we see the Israelites complaining about their lack of "cucumbers,
> melons, leeks, onions and garlic." This suggests they learned farming in
> Egypt. That would make sense, because the Egyptians were noted for their
> agriculture, and the Israelites probably lived on fertile farmland in
> Egypt.
>
> Song of Songs makes many references to gardens and fruit trees. The
> prophets make numerous references to vineyards, fruit trees and other
> agriculture. A few among many: Isaiah 5, 17:4ff, 18:4ff. Jesus also made
> many references to agriculture.
>
> Don
>
>
I cannot disagree with your statements, but I must disagree with your leading
conclusion that all your statements imply that pastoralism was only the
perspective of the patriarchs. Jesus is the Lamb of God. My spiritual
counselor today, even now, is my "pastor," not my "farmer."
The following is from Josephus' Jewish Antiquities:
. When Joseph understood that his father was coming, for Judas his brother
was come before him, and informed him of his approach, he went out to meet
him; and they met together at Heropolis. But Jacob almost fainted away at
this unexpected and great joy; however, Joseph revived him, being yet not
himself able to contain from being affected in the same manner, at the
pleasure he now had; yet was he not wholly overcome with his passion, as his
father was. After this, he desired Jacob to travel on slowly; but he himself
took five of his brethren with him, and made haste to the king, to tell him
that Jacob and his family were come; which was a joyful hearing to him. He
also bid Joseph tell him what sort of life his brethren loved to lead, that
he might give them leave to follow the same, who told him they were good
shepherds, and had been used to follow no other employment but this alone.
Whereby he provided for them, that they should not be separated, but live in
the same place, and take care of their father; as also hereby he provided,
that they might be acceptable to the Egyptians, by doing nothing that would
be common to them with the Egyptians; for the Egyptians are prohibited to
meddle with feeding of sheep.
rich
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