Smith part 3

By Friday, December 11
Read pages 303 (starting with Revelation) through the end of the section on page 310.

You are to answer (in a brief paragraph) questions centered on each of the following concepts Smith introduces:

1.In Judaism, what is the role of revelation?

Smith introduces this section by asking why it seems that the Jewish people were the ones to come up with the most profound meaning in life. The meaning of revelation is not discovery, but disclosure. God revealed the meaning of life through action, not words. This is why deeds and rituals are more important in Judaism than written text. Jewish people believe God was the reason for important historical events. Indeed, many biblical writers have stated that the Jewish people should have died off long ago, according to events and historical data. The Jewish people believed they have survived because of the love God has shown them. This love comes in the form of miracles. God controlled all events in history, and because God let the Jewish people live, it is their duty to act with gratefulness and worship him. God was also gracious in chosing to reveal himself to the Jewish people during Exodus. However, it took sometime for the Jewish people to realize that God's love is extended to all the peoples of the world. This God is different from the previous God's people have had in the past. Ancient peoples used to worship Pagan gods who were concerned with nature, and not human beings. This god is deeply concerned with human affairs, and for this the Jewish people thank him. This is why they must return the favor, and be concerned with what He wants for the human race. This is the root of the discovery
The meaning of life was given to the Jewish people by God himself. God offered a covenant to the Jewish people in that he would protect and watch over them if they promised to obey his voice. This is much like the covenant Abraham entered with God in that if Abraham promised to obey the covenant, all his ancestors would be blessed by the love and kindness of God.

2.What is the concept of the "chosen people" in Judaism?

In Judaism, the belief is that God chose them to be the chosen people, but unlike other religions where this means the religious group was given special privileges by God, in Judaism this means that the Jewish people were the chosen ones to suffer for everyone else. They had to obey all the Lord has spoken and do all He demands of them. However, even after this explanation, one could still argue that the Jews believe they were chosen because of national pride. This idea can be shot down because of the history of the Jewish people. Throughout their past, the Jewish people have been treated as slaves, and their country has been taken over multiple times. Also, something that is inexplicable is why the Jewish god, Yahweh is one of righteousness, instead of one of hatred or anger. This further proves that the Jewish people have an indestructible hope and devotion to their god. The Jewish people don’t know who to give the credit to that they have indestructible hope, so they gave all the credit to God. This shows they are a very selfless people. Also, Smith states that, “…this is a world of particulars…” and that for us to notice and remember something, it must stand out from things around it. This applies to special events, like the ones God made happen, because if they happen once, like miracles, they are more important than if they happen all the time. This concept of standing out also applies to people who God chooses. Throughout history, God has chosen people who stand out in one way or another to represent his task force.