The Essenes
- John the Baptist was living in the
desert preaching repentance and baptism. The question is Why
was John living in the desert?
- Politicians - There was “a
movement” away from the Pharisees “Political Aspirations” and their
teaching which were laden with traditions and additional requirements
to the book of the Law; and to a lesser degree they were moving away
from the Sadducees as well.
- You can draw a
similar comparison considering the Catholic Church during the Protestant
reformation; with the Protestants withdrawal and separation over tradition
and doctrine.
- The
Essenes
were a Jewish sect that was partially
celibate living a strict communal life in the desert. They dedicated themselves to the
studying and copying of God’s word.
- Josephus, the Jewish historian; A.D. 37-98; lived
with the Essenes for three years and provides most of the background
information on the sect.
- John
the baptizer
at some point, most probably lived among the Essenes also; scripture does
not indicate one way or the other.
- Corrupt
Politicians
- The Essenes rejected the polluted priesthood in
- The Essenes day was
spent copying hymns, scrolls, prayers, and The “Manual of Discipline” which was about methods and rules
for living. (Method of
living and worship; Sounds like Methodist)
- Isaiah’s
writings were
followed literally; “Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”
– They separated themselves awaiting God’s coming in the desert –
They were the “guardians of mysterious truths” that would govern
the life of
- The
name Essene comes from a Hebrew word that means “pious” or “holy”.
- The sect did not refer to themselves as Essenes, but were given that
name by outsiders. – We really don’t know how they referred to themselves;
there is much debate and speculation.
- Not
all Essenes
lived a communal desert life, but instead, lived in many cities and
mingled with society at all levels, and were well received by the Pharisees,
and Jewish populace.
- Their
missionary outreach founded Essene communes in all the villages
and small towns of
- They observed the
Sabbath;
- Membership
- There
were some 4,000 plus Essenes in
- Formal
Admittance-
There was a one year term for the Novice to manifest the qualities
desired such as; religious purity, a love of virtue , humility and
contentment, deeds of love and charity, frugality and freedom from bondage
to material possessions, then a second year term of testing
before their formal admittance. ( I don’t think I could
ever pass this test)
- Work
Ethic
- They observed a strict
discipline; they begin their work day before dawn with prayer, then went
to their “Secular jobs” as they were best suited – At noon
they washed in cold water and had prayers and a simple meal – At evening; bath,
prayers, and a simple meal.
- There
wages
were held in common possession in a community treasury so that all might
benefit as the need arose. – They took care of the cost of treatment for all
their sick and maintained their aged populace with respect and dignity;
they lived in contentment.
- Discipline
– All
labor was done as unto the Lord -”Love of God, Virtue and Man” was the
motivation to work – You don’t
work, you don’t eat – You are banished from the sect. – No food
stamps for the LAZY – Communalism won’t work in the
- Their
beliefs
can be summarized as Love of God, Love of Virtue, and Love
of Men. – They were strictly pacifist by nature and had no weapons of
war. - They esteemed frugality.
- Their
leader
was known only as “The teacher
of Righteousness”; we do not know his name.
- FAR OUT – Consider this;
they had the “War Scroll”
which was plans for the final conflict
at the return of the Messiah between “the
sons of light” and “the sons
of darkness”. – The War Scroll describes an eschatological war in
which God and his angels join forces with the “Sons of light”
to battle against the “sons of darkness” - This plan was to be kept
secret until the Messiah appeared, and then they would instruct the people
in the “understanding”.
- The War
Scroll
is very similar in “concept” to the Apostle John’s writing (Not John the Baptist) of the “Revelation”; the final war between good and evil.
- They also had
elaborate construction details concerning the
- They documented in
detail the last great battle in which the Roman army destroyed the Jewish
state in A.D. 70.
- New
Testament
– “So far” there has NOT been any writings found about Jesus, John the
Baptist or any other of the early Christians.
- They probably possessed
NT writings and understanding as they refer to “Sons of Light” which is the designation for a Christian. – Either
that or the Christians took the term from them. - This term is not found
anywhere in OT scripture.
- They lived the
Matt 3:1-2 – John lived in
the desert
1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching
in the Desert of Judea
2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom
of heaven is near.”NIV
Isa 40:3 – Make straight
in the desert a highway
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare
the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.
NKJV
Dan 11:33 – They will have the plan and teach it
33 And those of the people who understand shall
instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by
captivity and plundering. NKJV
Dan 12:9-10 – Close it up
– Keep it secret
9 And he said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the
words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10 Many shall be purified, made white, and
refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall
understand, but the wise shall understand. NKJV
Luke 16:8 – Sons of Light
8 So the master commended the unjust steward
because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in
their generation than the sons of light. NKJV
John 12:36 – Sons of Light
36 While you have the light, believe in the light,
that you may become sons of light." These things Jesus spoke, and
departed, and was hidden from them. NKJV
1 Thess 5:5 – Sons of Light
5 You are all sons of light and sons of the
day. We are not of the night, nor of darkness NKJV
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