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NASB | Matthew 5:20 ¶ "For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 5:20 ¶ "For I say to you that unless your righteousness (uprightness, moral essence) is more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. |
Bible Question:
What was the qualifying element distinguishing the righteousness of the shepherds of Israel from that of the unlearn and less observant population of the avarage Jew? Did their carelessness at the precepts of the Torah make them more worthy of Olam Haba (world to come) or more sincere in the eyes of Mashiach (messiah)? For he (Mashiach) says this to them while they are yet under the constraints of the Torah (Law). Finally, was haMashiach (the Messiah) a minimalist, reducing the Word of G-d as expressed by HaShem through Moses in the five books or as express by the prophets in their writings to mere efforts of good intent through faith without knowledge of His (G-d's) Word and Will? For their righteousness had to exceed that of the scribes and pharisees, yet in the status of the pre crucifixtion era. Perhaps some other charecteristics were demonstrated by the scribes and pharisees |
Bible Answer: Was it their rightiousness? Or was it that they were in the right place at the right time and were alert, watching? Granted, they were watching their sheep, but in the night, the others were in bed. I think that the angels were just so filled with awe at what the Lord was doing that they couldn't help but praise Him and the shepherds were the ones that were there. But it was fitting, for the Lord Jesus didn't come to the world for the "righteous" but for those who were outcasts and unlovable and untaught. I believe the shepherds were not one of the acceptable class of people, so who else were more fitting to tell of the saving grace of God? Now a question for you. Who is HaShem? God's blessings upon you. Debbie |