Counting Pentecost ~ Day Twenty Two ~ Phylacteries ?!?!

Update April 29th 2018

Today is the 1st day of the 4th week of seven weeks. Today is the 22nd day of the counting of fifty days from the day of the waving of the Omer on the morrow after the Sabbath.

UPDATE April 26th 2015

Did Jesus wear a phylactery?

Like I said in this post in 2012, I think that God wants us to live his word in such a way that it is obvious, as obvious as a box tied on our forehead between our eyes.
It is believed that at least the priests in the temple wore something on their forehead because Jesus criticizes them for it. Did all Jews at the time wear them like the ultra Orthodox do today?

Jesus mentioned phylacteries in what is referred to as “Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees”

saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. “They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. “But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. “They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. “But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.
(Mat 23:2-8 NASB)

I don’t picture Jesus dressed anything like I picture the scribes and pharisees, I see Him and his band in simple clothing but it may be that I have just watched too many movies and I have never thought about it before.

But certainly from that passage above, I picture Jesus and His brothers sitting around the camp together, with Jesus in no way elevating Himself above them hierarchically, not like the bigwigs in the temple did. Though, in my mind, He glowed, not physically, but in some way, because it was so obvious that He was living the Word of God or that He was the living Word of God.

Original Post April 29th 2012

6 Ziv 1313 BC

And on that same day the LORD brought the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their hosts. – Exo 12:51

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ……  – Exo 13:1

So just as soon as the Israelites start out of Egypt, the Lord is in Moses’ ear teaching him how the new covenant will work. And Moses is repeatedly given reminders to remember.

It shall be as a sign to you upon your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the law of the Lord may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out of Egypt. – Exo 13:9

“And it shall be when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ then you shall say to him, ‘With a powerful hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery. “So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and as phylacteries on your forehead, for with a powerful hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.” Exo 13:14-16

phylacteries ?!?!

“These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.
“You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.
“You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.
“You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.  – Deu 6:6-9

I feel that the Lord is explaining that we are to center our lives on our relationship with him, I am constantly writing notes on my hand when I ‘m driving, that is the only place to write it down if I really want to remember it! I have been searching commentaries for info on phylacteries, and have read paragraphs and pages that don’t say much. I like 2 simple statements by Wesley about Exo 13:9 & 16:

Exodus 13:9 – “Upon thy hand, between thine eyes – Proverbial expressions; denoting things which are never out of our thoughts.
Exodus 13:16 – For frontlets between thine eyes – As conspicuous as any thing fixt to thy forehead, or between thine eyes.” – Wesley

So, not only am I to remember but it needs to be obvious to everyone that I am remembering and living it.

My son, observe the commandment of your father And do not forsake the teaching of your mother; Bind them continually on your heart; Tie them around your neck. When you walk about, they will guide you; When you sleep, they will watch over you; And when you awake, they will talk to you.
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; And reproofs for discipline are the way of life –  Pro 6:20-23