How did ancient people earned God’s favour?
God’s Law is clear, when it states that, no matter if the person was Hebrew or not, he who displayed mercy
toward his fellow creatures not only knew his Creator, but was also granted the right to join God’s holy
assembly. As is written: “An Ammonite or Moabite
shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord…
[Why?] Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way
, when ye came forth out of
Egypt…”- Deut. 23:3-4. And Hebrew Scripture seems to agree with the former, when it goes on to say:
“
Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him
in time of trouble…
He [your father]
judged the cause of the poor and needy
; then it was well with him:
was not this to know me? saith the
Lord
… Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and
break off thy sins by righteousness,
and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor
… ”- Psalm 41:1, Jeremiah 22:16, & Daniel 4:27 (KJB).
In fact, Christian writings seem to assert the same truth, when they go on to say: “
Blessed are the merciful:
for they shall obtain mercy
”- Matthew 5:7, KJB
True Religion
There's one true and godly religion: To be just, kind, and humble. As it has been said: “Turn away from Evil!
Do Good! Then you will Live in the Land Forever (Life everlasting!)”- Psalm 37:27 (Common English
Bible). And elsewhere says: “He [God] has told you, human one, what is good, and what the Lord requires
from you- to do justice, [to] embrace faithful love, and [to] walk humbly with your God”- Micah 6:8.
What then is the role played by normative religion (Judaism, Samaritanism, Christianity, Islam, etc.)? Simply
to try and be faithful messengers of God's true religion. And all is well and good, as long as we keep in mind
the unavoidable distinction that will always exist between the perfect message of true religion, and the
imperfect role played by it's appointed messengers
«Ben Zoma said: “Who is wise? He who learns from everyone, as is said, ‘Because everyone has been my
teacher,I have gained understanding’- Psalm 119:99”»- Pirke Avot (Wisdom of the Fathers) 4:1. And
whence we know God’s Law teaches the same? We know it from Moses, who learned from Jethro [his father
in Law, who also happened to be a non Hebrew sage]. As is written: “So Moses hearkened to the voice of his
father-in-law, and did all that he had said”- Exodus 18:24, Jewish Publication Society Bible, 1917 Edition
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