Why do the two witnesses have to wear sackcloth?

“And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days clothed in sackcloth.” (Revelation 11:3)

What was sackcloth and why were they ordered to wear it? I imagined the sackcloth as something unappealing and brown. I immediately thought of an old phrase that involves a person looking like they are wearing a sack of potatoes. The sackcloth must have been important in some way, or it wouldn’t have mattered what they wore to go witness. I thought maybe they were ordered to wear sackcloth because it made them humble. Maybe the sackcloth was a test, if the witnesses were true to God and were willing to do whatever he asked of them. I also wondered if it was common to see certain people dressed in sackcloth. Maybe only the poor wore the sackcloth. I also wondered what the sackcloth was made from.

 

As I researched I found that the sackcloth is a sign of mourning.  These two witnesses are clothed in sackcloth because they are officially in mourning. My next question is what are the witnesses mourning about? As Christians do we not mourn when we are inhibited and or persecuted for spreading the love of the Gospel? In this case, the mourning that warrants the wearing of sackcloth is in direct response to the suppression of the Roman Catholic power persecuting anyone that would speak the Oracles of God. The mourning was the act of witnessing about the Gospel.

I also found what the sackcloth was made from.Although the modern-day idea of “wearing sackcloth” is often that of someone dressed in a burlap grain bag with head and arm holes cut in it, during Bible History its appearance was quite different. Sackcloth was most often made of coarse, black goat’s hair. As its name indicates, it was used for sacks, but was also customarily worn by mourners (in some countries, the ancient custom is still faintly seen today when mourners wear black arm bands at funerals), or as a sign of deep repentance and humility. Also, sackcloth was, and will be (in some contemporary form), in the case of the two witnesses, worn by some Prophets. The sackcloth was obviously something that was uncomfortable to wear.

The more I researched I found that the witnesses may have not actually wore the sackcloth.  Prophets were also told to wear sackcloths as well from time to time, a symbol of lamentation and judgment, such as Jeremiah. Now, will the two witnesses ACTUALLY wear sackcloth, I would tend to think not and that this is a metaphor of what the two witnesses will be doing: lamenting over Israel, proclaiming and teaching the word of God and that Jesus is their Messiah as well as prophesying. The sackcloth may or may not have been worn. It is subject to one’s own interpretation. The known fact is that sackcloth was not something that people would want to be wearing. The fact that they wore the sackcloth was a symbol of their faith.

What was the significance of scented wood?

“cargo of gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, all kinds of scented wood, all kinds of articles of ivory, all kinds of articles of costly wood , bronze, iron  and marble,”(Revelation 18:12)

                         

 

                When I read the scented wood part I was a little confused. I was asking myself why scented wood would be important. I then began to think maybe the scented wood was a way to make the home smell good. Similar to what we have today like potpourri or glade plug-ins. They could possibly have placed fragrant oil on the wood, and then placed the wood in certain parts of the home to act like an air freshener. Another explanation of scented wood could be the wood was naturally scented. It could have been a type of pine that naturally smells fragrant. That leads me to wonder what type of tree did the wood come from.  Another idea I had was that the wood could have released a certain aroma once it was burned. Maybe the wood was in high demand because of its dual purpose.

                As I researched I found that the tree was made of THYINE WOOD One of the items of commerce for the Great Babylon in Revelation 18 is also among the last plant products mentioned in the Bible (the first is fig in Genesis 3:7). “Cargoes of…every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble;” (Revelation 18:12). The identity of the “citron wood” (NIV), translated “thyine wood” in other translations from the Greek thuinos remains the most obscure timber in the New Testament. The most likely candidate for thuinos is Tetraclinis articulata (Cupressaceae), formerly known as Callitris quadrivalvis, found in northwest Africa with a small population in Spain. Theophrastus mentions thyine (see below) as occurring in Cyrenaica (included in modern day Libya). This type of tree was very used for making valuables and it also was scented.

                Another source describes the scented wood as “sweet” (wood). There can be little doubt that the wood here spoken of is that of the Thuya articulata , Desfont the Callitris quadrivalvis of present botanists. It is a cone bearing tree and allied to the pine. This tree was much prized by Greeks and Romans on account of the beauty of its wood for various ornamental purposes. By the Romans the tree was called citrus , the wood citrum . It is a native of Barbary, and grows to the height of 15 to 25 feet.  I then began to wonder what fragrance the wood had. After I read the prior source, I began to think that the tree must have smelled like citrus since the Romans named the wood citrus.

                The wood was also used for sacrifices. The name of this wood is derived from the Greek word thuein, “to sacrifice,” and it was so called because it was burnt in sacrifices, on account of its fragrance. The wood of this tree was reckoned very valuable, and was used for making articles of furniture by the Greeks and Romans.  Though the wood was not used exactly the way I had imagined, I did find that it was burned for its fragrance.

What are the benefits of drinking wine?

 

(No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) 1 Timothy 5:23

                I enjoy having a glass of wine every now and then. It helps me to unwind from a long stressful day. I have always known that there are certain benefits from drinking wine, but I only know a few of them. I always heard that wine was full of antioxidants. Another benefit for wine is that it is good for your heart.  This verse states that wine can help your stomach and certain ailments. Are they talking about it helping an upset stomach? I would think the acidity of the wine would only hinder a stomach ache not make it better. If I have a stomach ache I usually run to the pepto not the cabernet. I also wonder if they only drank red wine. I know that the health benefits are mostly found in red wine. I could understand the use of wine for ailments. If a person drinks enough wine everything feels alright until the next morning. Like the popular Bob Marley song states “red red wine you make me feel so fine”.  I’m sure people got hangover just like people do today. I just wonder what they used to fix that banging headache. Possibly more wine. That leads me to think the people of this time could have been dependent on wine. Was the society of this time alcohol dependent? Below is an image of a few different wines.

 

                As I researched I found many health benefits of wine. Wine Promotes Longevity, Reduces Heart-Attack Risk, Lowers Risk of Heart Disease, Reduces Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Lowers Risk of Stroke, Cuts Risk of Cataracts, Cuts Risk of Colon Cancer, and Slows Brain Decline. I was astonished that wine had so many health benefits. Are the benefits the same for red and white wine? Did the people during that time have both types of wine?

                I found that red and white wines both have health benefits. Generally, red wines are considered a healthier option than white wines. However, high quality white wines from certain winemakers may offer more health benefits than some red wines.  I am still wondering if both red and white wines were present during the Bible days. People assume that ancient wine was red. But new research from Egyptian tombs suggest that white wine was introduced as early as the mid-second millennium BCE. The information that I found proves that red and white wine was available during this time.

                I know that the Bible exhausts the rule not to be drunk with wine. A person can be an alcoholic without being drunk. If these people where dependent on wine everyday they could be considered a functioning alcoholic. I don’t think that all of the people during this time were alcoholics. I think that the majority of the population used wine for celebrations and health purposes. It would seem abundantly clear, then, that the Scriptures do allow the moderate partaking of alcoholic beverages. There is no hesitancy in Scripture in commending wine, or embarrassment in portraying its consumption among the righteous of Biblical days. Wine is set before the saints as blessing and gladness (Deut. 14:26; Ps. 104:14–15), even though it may be to the immoderate and wicked a mocker and curse (Prov. 20:1; 23:29–35).

                I also found some information about hangovers in the Bible. The hangover has been around since the discovery of alcohol. In fact, hangovers are even documented in the Bible. Check out this verse from Isaiah 5:11: Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! I also wondered how they got rid of hangovers. These days people try the hair of the dog approach or whatever food or drink they can stomach.  However the Ancient Greeks engraved their drinking cups with groveling entreaties to the spirit Pausikrepalos, whose main job was delegating and regulating hangovers. Their Roman counterparts preferred to wolf down fried canaries and owl eggs. They had quite a different approach. As I researched I found the health benefits of wine as well as the dreadful results of having too much wine. I think as long as there is a balance of  the consumption of wine that it is perfectly fine and enjoyable!

What kind of food did they eat and how was it prepared?

 

“Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon r a Sabbath”. (Colossians 2:16)

                I am wondering what the average family during this time made for dinner. I love to cook; even more I love to eat what I cook. What type of meals did the women or men prepare during this time. How many times a day did they eat? Did the people eat for taste or just to be fed? Most Americans are known for eating for taste. We want what taste good and if something is displeasing in taste often time’s people just don’t eat. I am sure things during their time were far different. I picture every meal having great importance. The people where probably grateful for every meal they had, with taste being unimportant. I am sure the kitchens of this time where not as convenient as the kitchens we have today. I imagined the kitchen being a basic room with a fireplace where they would cook their food.  I am certain they ate a lot of meat and vegetables. I wonder what types of meat they would eat and if they only cooked it a certain way every time. Did they have recipes like we have today or was the food bland? Did they season their food? In other parts of the Bible I remember a mention of spices. Maybe they used these spices to cook with. I wonder if the food preparations took all day to make. I also wondered if they had different snacks they would snack on throughout the day. I know I can’t go all day without having some of my tropical trail mix to snack on in between meals.

 

As I researched I found some of the common food they ate. If you were living in Palestine in the days of Abraham, David or Paul, what would you eat? Well, the ordinary food for the average person was as follows:  bread (this was the most important food of all), olive oil (this took the place of butter), milk and cheese from the flocks, and fruits and vegetables from the orchards and gardens. On special occasions you might have meat. It was uncommon to have meat included in your everyday meals. In today’s society most people think that the meat is the main part of the meal. I could not imagine bread being the most important part of the meal. The common food then is a contrast to the common food of today.

                The preparation of the food took a lot of work. I know it is hard to imagine not having your bread already bagged up and ready to eat. They had to start with the grains.  A related, and daily, chore of grinding grain fell to the grinder ( Matthew 24:41 ) or miller , another trade which later entered the market place. See Mill. This process was essential since bread was the most important food.

                As I researched further I found that they did use spices. Spices were essential. Before the introduction of pepper seeds like coriander, black cummin, oregano or nigella, played an important part in recipes.  This reveals that the meals where defiantly not bland like I had assumed.  The most important fruit was the fig. Food was sweetened with fig or carob syrup, as sugar was unknown in Bible times.  Since Fruit trees abounded in Israel I imagine they snacked on fruit. The people of this time probably enjoyed food just as much as we enjoy food today. The food then was all they knew and they probably thought highly of their recipes. The kitchen scene was not like I had imagined.  In the time of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, there were no kitchens. Food was cooked in the open ‘before the tent’. Later, when people lived a more settled life, cooking was done in the closed courtyards of houses. I sometimes complain about having to cook after a long day of work but at least I don’t have to cook outside.  

The Bible in Popular Culture

    The Bible has impacted almost every part of popular culture in some way or fashion. I chose my favorite song, poem, and childhood television show. My favorite song right now is “Home”, by Phillip Phillips. My favorite poem is “I carry your heart with me”, by E.E. Cummings. My favorite childhood television show was, Boy Meets World.

            The song “Home”, by Phillip Phillips is my favorite song right now. It has numerous Biblical allusions in different verses of the song. The line Just know you’re not alone is an allusion to the Paraclete and how it is with you. The lines Don’t pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear connect with many verses in the Bible regarding demons. The next verse, The trouble it might drag you down If you get lost, you can always be found is parallel specifically to the parable from Jesus regarding the lost sheep. Luke 15:4-6 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one lost, until he finds it?”. Also another allusion that could be considered is the title “Home”. It alludes to God and how he is your home. When you get lost you want to go back home. God brings you back home to him when he finds you. I am about to make a life changing move to Colorado, and this song has helped me stay positive. This song will always make me feel at home, no matter where or what state I am in. This song would not be the same without the Biblical themes. People can relate and connect in a spiritual way to this song because of the Biblical features. Just like people needing a sense of hope by believing in a higher power. People need to hear songs with that same kind of hope, to help make sense of life. The impact that the song has is because of the Biblical allusions, the song was made for that very reason to impact others in a spiritual way. (Below is a link to the song)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTg1n95–KE

                The poem “I carry your heart with me”, by E.E. Cummings has always been my favorite poem. I believe that the heart the person carries with them alludes to the Paraclete. I carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)i am never without it(anywhere i go you go is parallel to the verse from Romans 5:5, “and hope does not put us to shame, because Gods love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” They both talk about carrying the paraclete in our hearts. We can clearly see the dedication this person had to the paraclete  no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true) is similar to the dedication that the disciples had for Jesus. There is also a parallel to the tree of life, (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows higher than soul can hope or mind can hide). In Genesis 2:9 “And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”. There is a special connection that people feel when they hear this poem. No matter if you’re single or alone, you feel that you are carrying something higher than yourself along with you. The love that is described  is a love like Paul speaks about in 1 Corinthians 13. If the poem did not include the Biblical allusions, it would not have the ability to express this powerful love that is portrayed. The Bible gives a deeper meaning, a new outlook to life, and it fills people with hope. This poem does the same it gives love a deeper meaning, by highlighting the intense emotions that are felt when in love. (Below is a link to the poem)

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/179622

      When I was younger I loved the television show, Boy Meets World. There is an allusion in this television show. The main character Corey and his best friend Shawn always have a problem. Corey and Shawn are allusions to humanity. All Humans at times have problems and look for answers. When we have problems we usually look up to God or a higher power for an answer. Mr. Feeny is the neighbor and teacher to Corey and Shawn. Mr. Feeny is an allusion to God or a higher power. Mr. Feeny usually gives the boys advice and life lessons that help them with their problems. A couple of verses that are parallel to that allusion can be found in Psalm50:15 and Psalm 55:2. The verses both deal with humans needing relief or answers from God, “and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” and “Attend to me, answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan.”. Humans can’t figure everything out on their own. Every day we are faced with choices, at times we need help making these choices. This television show reflects the higher power giving advice and direction when it is needed. I believe without the Biblical allusions the show would not have had much familiarity to it.  The purpose was to let people know its okay not to know it all, and everyone makes mistakes. The lesson is that we learn from our mistakes and not to make them again. This show impacted many young children by informing them to reach out to a higher power and to listen to our elders. The clip that I found is a prime example of Mr.Feeny lecturing the boys about a bad decision. The boys feel guilty after seeing how upset Mr. Feeny gets over the issue. As humans often times we don’t feel guilty about things until after it is too late. We then have to make things right by forgiveness. (Below is the link to the video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIRuytyuzoY

How expensive was the ointment?

Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” NIV Matthew 26:6-9

     The verse reveals that the ointment is of great cost, but exactly how much are we talking about? The ointment is also known as oil. The oil during these days was used for anointing and it usually smelled good. In my mind I immediately compared it to an expensive perfume. However we are not talking about your average Chanel perfume. Chanel is pricey, but not expensive enough for the proceeds to be given to charity. This particular ointment must have been unique in some way for it to have been so expensive. How could people afford to have such an expensive ointment? I know that over time some items increase in their value because of their age. This ointment could be so valuable because it had aged. Maybe the ointment was brought from another country making it expensive.  

 

     As I researched I found that the ointment was so valuable because it was brought it from another country. The pure nard she uses was imported from northern India (Brown 1966:448). Judas says, no doubt correctly, that it was worth a year’s wages (v. 5). The text literally reads “three hundred denarii” (cf. NIV note). Since a denarius was a day’s pay for a day laborer, the NIV paraphrase is accurate, taking into account feast days and sabbaths when one would not work. A rough equivalent would be something over $10,000, the gross pay for someone working at minimum wage for a year. No wonder the disciples (Mt 26:8), Judas in particular, respond with dismay at such a waste. A year worth of wages seems like an absurd amount of money for oil.

     Another reason why the oil was so expensive is because it was rare. Spikenard is a plant that only grows in the Himalaya mountains of India and Nepal, so this was a rare, imported oil in Israel. What I still don’t understand is why it was okay to pay so much for oil? I know that in today’s society most people would not spend a year worth of wages for an oil or perfume.

     As I researched further I found that oil had many uses and its versatility made it valuable. Also if oil was referred to as healing oil it was valuable. In Bible times, oil had many uses. For baking, as a spread on bread, gifts, fuel for lamps, for anointing and it was used for offerings and sacrifices and for healing. We are also taught that the oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit.A verse that captured my interest is in the story about the wise men presenting “frankincense and myrrh” to the Lord Jesus when he was a baby. (Matthew 2:11) Both of these oils are considered healing oils and indeed are great treasure and are very expensive.  The price of the oil was not an uncommon thing for that time. The way the oil was used was looked at as a waste because it was so valuable. In today’s society we do not have a need for oil like the people did then.

What kind of taxes did they pay during this time?

Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.  ( Romans 13:7)

                I just finished filling my taxes tonight, and thought that it would be interesting to see what kind of taxes people had to pay back then. We pay taxes all year long on everything that we purchase. Did they have taxes on everything also? A bigger question is, who came up with the idea of taxing and why? Some taxes are ridiculous and the percentages of them even worse at times. I wonder if the people during that time where effected more or less than we are affected by taxes today. Was there a form of government similar to ours that they had to answer to if they did not pay their taxes?  I know during that time tax collectors where known as thief’s and sinful people. I could only assume that if they did not pay their taxes something bad would happen to them.  How were tax collectors appointed to their positions?  Many other questions stemmed from the main question. The answer for the main question will help us answer all of the other questions.

As I researched I found that they were taxed on almost everything.  During the time of Jesus in first century Israel, there were publicans and tax collectors who could walk up to a man and tax him for what he was carrying, and much more. These tax collectors were hated and despised because they were usually fellow Jews who worked for Rome. There were many taxes needed from the provinces to administrate the Roman Empire. These taxes paid for a good system of roads, law and order, security, religious freedom, a certain amount of self government and other benefits.  A lot like our taxes, there taxes helped pay for things needed in the communities and governments. The main difference was we are not approached by tax collectors like they were then. We are approached through our receipts.

The reason that tax collectors had a bad reputation during those times is because they did bad things and treated people unfairly. In biblical times the tax collector was considered by the Jews to be a traitor and very probably a thief. Why? Because the land of Israel was occupied by Rome and the taxes collected went to Rome. There were several levels of authority but the customhouse officers, who were encouraged by their superior to charge compensatory taxes, did most of the real tax collection. These men often charged fraudulent taxes with remedy almost impossible. These tax collectors over charged (Luke 3:13) and brought false charges of smuggling in the hopes of extorting hush money.  Though we have a system of taxing more structured then they had then, there is still a concern today that some taxes are misused. The tax collectors were known to do unjustly things I am sure they would harm someone or take something from them if they did not pay their taxes.

As I researched further I found that taxing began with Caesar. Luke 2:1-5, “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.” Taxes began in the bible and are still in effect today. The taxes that they had then are similar to the taxes that we have today. The way of enforcement of taxes has changed over time but the basis of taxing what has stayed the same.  The similarity of the taxis did not happen by coincidence.  The founders of our country were often Bible readers. Our government had a lot of influence from the government in the Bible.

How could the jailer sleep through an earthquake?

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. ( Acts 16:25-27)

                An earthquake usually has a major impact when it occurs. The magnitude of the earthquake had to of been great for it to have broken down the foundations of the prison. How is it that the jailer slept though such a major earthquake? It says he had supposed the prisoners had escaped. If it was so great would he not have seen the damage from it? Since he didn’t notice that there was an earthquake that had taken place that leads me to suspect that the earthquake was not major. Possibly the jail itself was made out of structure that would be easy for a prisoner to escape from, resulting in the jailer having no suspicion of an earthquake at all. Big or small, how could someone sleep through an earthquake?

 

                The location of where the jailer was could help us answer this question. The jailer heard Paul and Silas praying and singing. He may have fallen asleep as he listened to them. He had been commanded to guard them carefully. v23. So, perhaps, the security conscious jailer slept in the prison block close to the cell of the two missionaries. Though it is not certain where the jailer was exactly a possibility is that he could have been in another part away from where they were.

                As I researched further I found that the jailer could have been awakened by the earthquake. In our book it does not clearly say that is what woke him. While the prisoners had been listening to the singing, it says nothing of the jailer having done so (he was apparently somewhere adjacent, as the record says he was awakened during the earthquake). Or perhaps all heard and the preachers had stopped by midnight from their praise to get some sleep. We cannot know. This resource also opposes the fact of the jailer hearing Paul and Silas singing and praying.  What we can determine is that the jailer was in fact in another room making it possible for him to sleep though this earthquake.

                I found another source that claimed that the earthquake was the cause for the jailer waking up. At midnight, the jailer was aroused and awakened from his sleep by “a great earthquake.” The text does not clearly state that he awoke from an earthquake and it leads to suspicion to what really happened? If the earthquake did awake him wouldn’t he have seen the men escaping, resulting in him not having to question what happened to them? If he was close enough to hear them singing he was close enough to see them escaping. I think he slept through this earthquake and was woken possibly by the other prisoners during the chaos and aftermath of the earthquake. The mystery of what did or didn’t wake up the jailer is still unresolved.

How did they tell time?

He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. (John 1:39)

Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. (John 4:6)

                The time of day is revealed in much of the bible in certain instances. When the time is spoken about it seems to be an accurate time to them.  I question how is it they know what time it is? I know they did not all have watches or clocks in this day and time.  So how did they tell time during this time period? I thought that maybe they could tell by the daylight, and that they would estimate what time they thought it may be. Another possibility is that they could have had some type of equipment that is similar to the modern day clock. I imagine them using a sundial, but was this time before the sundial? As I researched further I found that, The Egyptians and the Babylonians were the first to make use of the sun to measure time. This was around 3500 BC. The sun dial was around during this time, but they were made of large pillars and where not easily transported. The first portable sundial came two thousand years later in 1500 BC in Egypt. So did they carry around these new and improved sun dials, or where there other useful ways to tell time?

                The layout and breakdown of the day was another key that helped determine the hour or time of day.  The Jewish day ran from sundown to sundown and was divided into eight “watches”, four of daylight and four of darkness. By New Testament times, they had begun to observe the Roman custom of twelve hours of day and twelve hours of night, but they did not count minutes or seconds. Yet, this caused further problems since the Romans counted their hours from twelve noon or twelve midnight, and the Jews counted from sunrise or sunset. The different views cause some confusion with whom or what was right when referring to the true time of day. Was anyone truly correct or was it an estimate?

                In order to truly understand how the time was determined we must revert first to the days and years. The calendar was the most important way to determine the day and time. The calendar day is the basic unit of time in the Bible.  This unit breaks down into finer units of time, watches and hours, and those sub-day units of time become important in Passion Week.Days are also combined to form larger units of time, called calendar time.Calendar time includes weeks, months, years, Sabbath and Jubilee year groups, as wellas 10 fold jubilees and millennia.To accurately measure time, in all of its various aspects requires a precise definition of the base unit for all time, the calendar day.  The breakdown of the calendar contributes to the further breakdown of the time of day.

                To sum it all up, the way that they told time was extremely complex. The first way was to determine the years, months, and days. They soon had an object known as the sun dial. The sun dial aided as an easier way to tell time by measuring the sun throughout the day. Time has traveled a long way since then. I am thankful for the clocks, watches, and phones that aid us today to determine the time.

What kind of furniture was common during that time?

“And Levi made him a great fest in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them” (Luke 5:29).

“And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment”(Luke 7:37).

In the book of Luke there are many references of people reclining at the table. Immediately I picture someone reclining in their La-Z-Boy. I know that there weren’t any La-Z-Boy’s during that time, so what exactly where they reclining in? The people always seem to be reclining while they are at the dinner table. The chairs they are reclining are portrayed to be comfortable since it is a common scene and people are often gathered there. The reclining could be a reference to relaxing and enjoying dinner with one another. I also question what the furniture in the bedrooms looked like during that time.  “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light”( Luke 8:16).  The scene that I picture is a comfortable modern day bedroom. When reading people often times imagine things and try to relate to them.  While I was reading I tried to relate these scenes as images of today but realistically the scenes are far different. Let’s take a closer look into true images of furniture and the layout of homes during that time.

 

A similar scenario like that of today is that rich people had more luxuries than the poor. The poor people of Israel had very little furniture. Beds were usually just mattresses full of wool or straw, which were laid out on the raised platform at night. The whole family slept on the mattress under goats hair blankets. Poor people sat on stools. (Chairs were a luxury). Even tables were expensive and poor families often made do with a straw mat laid out on the floor. However rich people had comfortable furniture including proper beds made of wood with fine wool blankets and pillows. In Israel houses were lit by oil lamps.  The scene revealed here is far from a comfortable modern day bedroom.

There are other descriptions of the furniture during this time. The furnishings of a one-room Palestinian house were and still are very simple. Mats and cushions are in use to sit on by day. and carpets or mats are slept on at night. There will be vessels of clay for household needs, with perhaps some cooking utensils of metal. There will be a chest for storing bedding, a lamp either placed on a lampstand or a bushel, a broom for house cleaning, and a handmill for grinding the grain, and the goatskin bottles in which liquids are kept. The fireplace would be on the floor often in the middle of the room. This gives a general picture of the furnishings of the average Palestinian home. More details regarding some of these items will be given as the study proceeds. The homes during this time seem like they would be bare and uninviting.

                As I investigated further the reclining at the table scene is not talking about the type of furniture it is the actual act of reclining while eating. The Gospels all describe Jesus and his disciples as reclining at table to eat the Last Supper. This had become the traditional way to eat the Passover meal because in Romany society all free men ate in a reclined position. The furnished upper room in Jerusalem probably looked a lot like this replica of a dining room, or triclinium (Latin for “three couches”), from Pompeii. Food was served on the U-shaped table while diners relaxed on cushions around three sides, lying propped up on one arm, with their heads near the center. So the idea of the La-Z-Boy and any type of recliner at the table is not likely. The reclining position was a common ritual practiced while eating dinner. The furniture found then is far different than things found in today’s homes. Now as I read further I will have a clearer picture of the way things looked during that time.