Psalm 79
O God, the nations
have come into your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple;
they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.
2 They have given the bodies of your servants
to the birds of the heavens for food,
the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth.
3 They have poured out their blood like water
all around Jerusalem,
and there was no one to bury them.
4 We have become a taunt to our neighbors,
mocked and derided by those around us.
5 How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever?
Will your jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out your anger on the nations
that do not know you,
and on the kingdoms
that do not call upon your name!
7 For they have devoured Jacob
and laid waste his habitation.
8 Do not remember against us our former iniquities;
let your compassion come speedily to meet us,
for we are brought very low.
9 Help us, O God of our salvation,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us, and atone for our sins,
for your name's sake!
10 Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants
be known among the nations before our eyes!
11 Let the groans of the prisoners come before you;
according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die!
12 Return sevenfold into the lap of our neighbors
the taunts with which they have taunted you, O Lord!
13 But we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
from generation to generation we will recount your praise.
Responsive Psalm: (9) For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low.
Response. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name’s sake.
Response. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Let the prisoners’ sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise.
Response. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
How bad was it for the Children of Israel? Pretty Bad.
Each Legion had 6 Tribunes appointed. Each legion was composed of about 5,500 men, all professional soldiers who signed on for terms lasting 25 years. In each Legion, ranked above the centurions were six tribunes. These were men from the equestrian class, the second-highest class in the Roman aristocracy, underneath the senatorial class. One tribune was senior in rank to the other five, and was second commanding the legion; he was called the tribunus laticlavius, and was appointed to the post by the provincial governor.
Many times Tribunes were about to run for election in the Roman Senate.
There was no Legion stationed in Jerusalem, Pontius Pilate was only the rank of Equestrian, so he could not garrison a full legion under his command. Jerusalem was garrisoned by Cohors II Italica, it was only one Auxiliary cohort. Another, probably, at Caesarea.
There was no Legion stationed in Jerusalem, Pontius Pilate was only the rank of Equestrian, so he could not garrison a full legion under his command. Jerusalem was garrisoned by Cohors II Italica, it was only one Auxiliary cohort. Another, probably, at Caesarea.
Josephus records Pontius Pilate, who was leaving Judea as he was born, but lived in Judea for the first part of his military career becoming General of Judea. Both Philo and Josephus record Pilate very closely and with similarity.
Historian Philo
Philo of Alexandria, also called Philo Judaeus, was a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher who lived in Alexandria, in the Roman province of Egypt. 25 B.C. to 75 A.D.
Philo wrote about Pontius Pilate:The nations
have come into your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple;
they have laid Jerusalem in ruins
Pontius Pilate’s time in office as the fifth governor of the Roman province of Judea was from 26 to 36 or 37 A.D. Judean Jews were situated in the center of Pilate’s province and the Idumaean Jews in the south. Jerusalem was regarded by both groups as their religious and cultural center. Furthermore, the north, were the Samaritans with Mount Gerizim as their religious center. Under the Roman governors, there were two cities of Judea considered as the capital: Jerusalem as the traditional one and the focus of Jewish religious life and Caesarea as the residence of the Roman governor together with his troops and family. Occasionally, especially during festivals, the governor moved to Jerusalem. His responsibilities were primarily military, which is shown also by his title ‘prefect’.
Pontius Pilate recorded by Philo: "I can also tell you of something on which he prided himself, although I experienced countless sufferings during his lifetime. But you love and respect the truth. Pilate was an official who had been appointed procurator of Judea. With the intention of annoying the Jews rather than of honoring Tiberius, When Pilate, who was a man of inflexible, stubborn and cruel disposition, obstinately refused, they shouted, ’Do not cause a revolt! Do not cause a war! Do not break the peace! Disrespect done to our ancient Laws brings no honor to the Emperor."
Do not make Tiberius an excuse for insulting our nation. He does not want any of our traditions done away with. If you say that he does, show us some decree or letter or something of the sort, so that we may cease troubling you and appeal to our master by means of an embassy.’ (302) This last remark exasperated Pilate most of all, for he was afraid that if they really sent an embassy, they would bring accusations against the rest of his administration as well, specifying in detail his venality, his violence, his thefts, his assaults, his abusive behavior, his frequent executions of untried prisoners, and his endless savage ferocity. (303) So, as he was a spiteful and angry person.
Historian Josephus gives more details about the Statues than the shields meant to aggravate the Jews. Both caused almost war. Josephus gives more detail about Pilate robbing the Temple treasury to build an aqueduct. And planting military in cloaks with clubs. Jews revolted and weren't killed by the sword, instead were killed by clubbing to death protesting Jewish funds used by Roman Officials. All that Philo had called Pilate, Josephus holds up the actions to prove the words.
In the Midst of all The Political Turmoil....
Shepherds were doing Shepherding
Families were doing Shepherding
And Joy was found, just as Jesus found Joy.
Jesus gave reason for the Joy. The open hearts of God's people. The attitude of prayer. And in the reflection, repentance for anything separating us from God's Love. The Glory of Living in Jesus and His Light. Amends made. Straight paths to Joy.
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We your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to You forever;
from generation to generation
we will recount your praise.
Abba, Father God,
In Your Comfort, we ask Your Willing Blessings.
In Your Comfort, we ask Your Willing Blessings.
Dwell in me
Dwell in those I love
Bless us to know the Comfort of Your Love and Mercy
Help us to Seek You First,
In Jesus Christ, we will finish well.
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing and acceptable
my Rock and Redeemer.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Psalm 37:3
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
Psalm 118:16
The right hand of the LORD is exalted! The right hand of the LORD performs with valor!
Psalm 54:4
Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.
The Scriptures bring us the Merciful Love of God.
And the Living Scriptures have blessed us, our fathers and the generations. And will to generations, known to God, arriving decades from now. We give You our cares, Father God.
We trust our Loved Ones to You. The Nation and the Nations to be upheld by Your Word.
Knowing Your Great Joy to have Heaven sought
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Psalm 37:3
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
Psalm 118:16
The right hand of the LORD is exalted! The right hand of the LORD performs with valor!
Psalm 54:4
Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.
The Scriptures bring us the Merciful Love of God.
And the Living Scriptures have blessed us, our fathers and the generations. And will to generations, known to God, arriving decades from now. We give You our cares, Father God.
We trust our Loved Ones to You. The Nation and the Nations to be upheld by Your Word.
Knowing Your Great Joy to have Heaven sought
to be also on this earth with Your Good Will.
Blessing God with Gratitude. Thank You! And holding up for His Love, our loved ones
Blessing God with Gratitude. Thank You! And holding up for His Love, our loved ones
and this Nation. All the Nations seeking the Lord. His Good Creation.
Amen Jesus Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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