Saturday, December 23, 2006

contrast between New Testament and Old Testament

There are fundamental differences between the ideas of the New Testament and the Old. For example:
Ecclesiasticus 12:4-7

[4] Give to the godly man, but do not help the sinner.
[5] Do good to the humble, but do not give to the ungodly;
hold back his bread, and do not give it to him,
lest by means of it he subdue you;
for you will receive twice as much evil
for all the good which you do to him.
[6] For the Most High also hates sinners
and will inflict punishment on the ungodly.
[7] Give to the good man, but do not help the sinner.

compared to Mt 5:38-48
[38]

"You have heard that it was said, `An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'


[39] But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also;
[40] and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well;
[41] and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
[42] Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you.
[43]

"You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'


[44] But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
[45] so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
[46] For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
[47] And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
[48] You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Another comparison is:
Ecclesiasticus 13: 9:13

[8] Take care not to be led astray,
and not to be humiliated in your feasting.
[9] When a powerful man invites you, be reserved;
and he will invite you the more often.
[10] Do not push forward, lest you be repulsed;
and do not remain at a distance, lest you be forgotten.

The footnote in the Jerusalem Bible says: The words of Jesus in Lk 14:8-10, at first sight similar, are actually in marked contrast to this example of worldly wisdom" :

[7]

Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he marked how they chose the places of honor, saying to them,


[8] "When you are invited by any one to a marriage feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest a more eminent man than you be invited by him;
[9] and he who invited you both will come and say to you, `Give place to this man,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place.
[10] But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, `Friend, go up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you.
[11] For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

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