Pentecost with a Twist

by peacefulpete 1 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • peacefulpete
    peacefulpete

    This is not going to be an in-depth research thread but a simple commentary. Most of us are aware the OT Yahweh is at times referred to as a 'bull' or having horns of the auroch (wild bull). The mighty heavenly Cherubim (bulls) are said to pull his chariot. His golden bulls held the great 'sea' basin in the Temple grounds. Iconography from the period illustrates Yahweh this way as well. The Calf/bull symbolism was a very common one in the ancient near east and beyond, and famously used by worshippers of gods from Egypt, Babylon, Cannan, and India. Naturally this wider, near universal usage of the powerful and important animal bothered some scribes and sects of Yahwism. Obviously not others.

    Fast forward to the first century; the Festival of Weeks/Shavuot/Pentecost/Day of First Fruits was still celebrated in Jerusalem, as their ancient traditions had directed, 50 days after the Passover. The initial purpose of the festival was agrarian, it was a harvest festival thanking their God for the rain and fertility of the soil. But later the festival was also attached to the receiving of the 10 commandments on Mt. Sinai. That is significant given the way the festival was celebrated.

    The NT doesn't detail how this was done, (neither to endorse nor condemn.) It does make clear that early Christians celebrated it. Famously of course the story in Acts where disciples of Jesus were gathered from far away to Jerusalem for the Pentecost celebration.

    I hope you enjoy the following from the Mishna Bikkurim 3:

    Those who lived near [Jerusalem] would bring fresh figs and grapes, while those who lived far away would bring dried figs and raisins. An ox would go in front of them, his horns bedecked with gold and with an olive-crown on its head. The flute would play before them until they would draw close to Jerusalem. When they drew close to Jerusalem they would send messengers in advance, and they would adorn their bikkurim (small bundles of wheat or other produce). The governors and chiefs and treasurers [of the Temple] would go out to greet them, and according to the rank of the entrants they would go forth. All the skilled artisans of Jerusalem would stand up before them and greet them saying, “Our brothers, men of such and such a place, we welcome you in peace. The flute would play before them, until they reached the Temple Mount. When they reached the Temple Mount even King Agrippas would take the basket and place it on his shoulder and walk as far as the Temple Court. When he got to the Temple Court, the Levites would sing the song: “I will extol You, O Lord, for You have raised me up, and You have not let my enemies rejoice over me”....The rich would bring their bikkurim in baskets overlaid with silver or gold, while the poor used wicker-baskets of peeled willow-branches, and the baskets and the bikkurim were given to the priest. Mishnah Bikkurim 3:8

    It continues on, but the point is noticing the procession being led by a joyful flutist and bull/ox with golden horns and a crown. The crowds welcomed pilgrims with expressions of peace. The ancient symbol of the bull/ox had by the first century apparently taken a new, more anodyne significance. The event was a celebration of prosperity, peace and joy.

    Rabbis have made commentaries upon this scene; I have read two. The one reinterpreted the bull as symbol of 'labor', his golden horns, 'riches' and the crown of olive trigs 'wisdom'. The other understood the procession to be a reenactment of the story from Exodus of the receiving of the Ten Commandments (and the golden calf element) but with the twist that the drama is merely played out 'as a drama' in a context of joyful worship. Make what you will of these commentaries.
  • peacefulpete
    peacefulpete

    My last paragraph got deleted somehow, but in summation, Shavuot/Pentecost, rooted in ancient fertility/harvest festivals, had become adapted to celebrate the adoption of the Ten Commandments. That Festival involved a colorful joyful procession/parade with song and expressions of peace and well being. Gold and silver baskets filled with vegetal gifts. No reindeer, but a bull with golden horns and a crown.

    Happy Holidays.

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