masters of fine ceramics. They also had an efficient system of accounting
which in Jerusalem was only developed around 721 BC, at a time when the
northern realm had been destroyed by the Assyrians, since it had been more
dangerous to them than Judea. The Judean part was conquered 200 years
later and the Jews taken into exile in Babylon. The Persian King Cyrus
allowed them to return and rebuild the Temple, but it took decades for them
to come back in sufficient numbers, since they had gained wealth and social
status in the foreign land. However, since then the exile had the significance
which it still has today. The Bible was a product of the exile, and since the
days of the exile more Hebrews lived abroad than in the homeland of Israel,
at first in Alexandria, Antioch, Rome, and later in New York and Antwerp.
In the Exile David outgrew his historical significance and gained a kind of
mythical force and hope for the future, when the lost kingdom of Israel
should be resurrected. In Babylon, the ‘root of Jesse’ was planted, with
which Christianity took over David for itself. According to Matthew, the
eternal Kingdom would be founded three times 14 generations after David.
This number was taken from a kind of ‘number mysticism’ of the name of
David. Matthew saw in Jesus the fulfilment of the messianic prophecy of the
kingdom of David in which God rules. The mythical history of David has kind
of overtaxed the real history of David, but it remains an as yet unfulfilled
hope for a heavenly kingdom.
Brigitte Williams
ASH WEDNESDAY 1 March 2017
Please note there are NO SERVICES at St Oswald’s on Ash Wednesday.
Father Taylor at St Aidan’s, Clarkston has invited the
congregation of St Oswald’s to a joint service on Ash
Wednesday at 10 am.
If unable to attend St Aidan’s morning service, please note the details for
other Southside churches: St Margaret’s, Newlands at 10 am & 7:30 pm
St Ninian’s, Albert Dr at 10 am & 7:30 pm
PRAYER FOR CHURCH GROWTH
O Lord
Cause us to increase and grow numerically,
And cause us to have a great impact on this community,
City and surrounding areas
Enable us who are part of St Oswald’s Church family
To be the yeast that grows your church
Amen
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