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Prophetics As An Art and Science

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The Gamara is the commentary used in the Remez, or hint level of<br />

interpretation. When coupled with the Mishnah, the two commentaries make<br />

up the Talmud. The Remez level was written for the aristocracy <strong>and</strong> was higher<br />

in its goals <strong>and</strong> more polished in its content. It was the level of the doctor,<br />

lawyer, philosopher, <strong>and</strong> teacher. This level did not replace the simple Peshat,<br />

but rather added a philosophical flavoring to it. It's interesting that there are<br />

two Talmud's, the Babylonian Talmud <strong>and</strong> the Jerusalem Talmud, one from a<br />

Gentile region <strong>and</strong> the other from a Jewish region. The only difference to these<br />

two Talmud's is the Gamara commentary, which Luke answers. It's also<br />

interesting that there are strong arguments as to whether Luke was a Jew or a<br />

Gentile. Perhaps he had heritage in both? But it does seem that Luke's Gospel<br />

would point to the Gamara.<br />

The Gospel of Luke was written to conform to this philosophical level. You can<br />

tell from reading Luke’s style of writing that it is more sophisticated <strong>and</strong> detailed<br />

than Mark’s simple style.<br />

Luke records the genealogy of Mary. Which the aristocratic community would<br />

normally be interested in the pedigree of the mother. Mark, writing in the style<br />

of the common man, does not bother with genealogy. In Mark, Jesus is<br />

presented as a servant, whereas Luke presents the lineage of Mary back to<br />

Adam, demonstrating that Jesus Christ is the predicted Messiah “Ben-Adom,” or<br />

the Son of Adam.<br />

Drosh – the Regal Level<br />

The commentary for the Drosh level is called Midrash. The term was taken from<br />

the process of thrashing grain, or separating the kernel from the chaff. It is an<br />

even more sophisticated method of interpretation than the remez level. Drosh<br />

deals with parables or riddles.<br />

Solomon <strong>and</strong> Hiram the king of Tyre, enjoyed sending each other riddles. It was<br />

the game of kings. Solomon’s wisdom gave him a keen ability to find the<br />

meanings of riddles, thus gaining him even more fame as the wisest man of his<br />

generation. Allegories of the Remez level are simply symbolic stories that teach<br />

practical lessons. Riddles on the other h<strong>and</strong>, are more difficult to underst<strong>and</strong>.<br />

For royal reasons, Matthew is placed first in the New Testament, ahead of Mark,<br />

Luke, & John. Matthew’s introduction of the New Testament presents the regal,<br />

or kingly side of Christ. Revelation, the last book of the New Testament finally<br />

unveils Christ as the King of kings.<br />

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