seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Quran 36:13. And cite for them the parable of the landlords of the town—when the messengers came to it.
14. We sent them two messengers, but they denied them both, so We reinforced them with a third. They said, “We are messengers to you.”
15. They said, “You are nothing but humans like us, and the Gracious did not send down anything; you are only lying.”
16. They said, “Our Lord knows that we are messengers to you.
17. And our only duty is clear communication.”
18. They said, “We see an evil omen in you; if you do not give up, we will stone you, and a painful punishment from us will befall you.”
19. They said, “Your evil omen is upon you. Is it because you were reminded? But you are an extravagant people.”
20. Then a man came running from the remotest part of the city. He said, “O my people, follow the messengers.
21. Follow those who ask you of no wage, and are themselves guided.
Here's today's commentary.
It should be noted that this is called a parable in the previous verse; therefore it is an error to name a particular town and three messengers who went together thereto. The parable is set forth only to point out the truth of the Holy Prophet. The two messengers sent before are Moses and Jesus, both of whom clearly prophesied the advent of the Holy Prophet, and the third, with whom they are strengthened, is no other than the Holy Prophet himself, the fulfilment of prophecy in whose person without doubt strengthened the truth of previous revelation. The conversion of Arabia and its reclamation from idolatry had been tried both by the followers of Moses and Jesus, and both had failed, and a third messenger was now sent.
Note that the people here deny all revelation. The Arabs rejected previous revelation as well as the revelation of the Holy Prophet.
Distress in one form or other always overtakes a people when a prophet appears among them. The law is elsewhere stated in the Holy Qur’ån thus: “And indeed We sent messengers to nations before thee, then We seized them with distress and affliction that they might humble themselves”. It is to this distress that the rejectors of apostles refer.
They are told that distress is not due to the Prophet’s advent, but is the result of their own evil deeds, and the Prophet does no more than remind them and warn them of the consequences of their evil deeds.
This man represents the believer in the Truth. Every prophet has testimony borne to his truth by one from among the people themselves. Thus the Holy Qur’ån speaks of a believer from among the people of Pharaoh, and Joseph of Arimathaea believed in and helped Jesus. The Holy Prophet Mu√ammad had such a follower in Ab∂ Bakr, who was the first to believe, while the others rejected.
When I saw Joseph's name... I didn't think of Jacob's son.... which surprised me. I thought of the Joseph who was the earthly father for Jesus. But Joseph of Arimathaea.... he was a bigger deal. He was a lawmaker. He was rich. He's also the one who supplied the tomb... so Jesus could have an "empty" tomb. Joseph's life couldn't get any more meaningful if he had been a prophet himself. He supplied "the empty tomb".
Jesus was Jewish.... by blood.... so Joseph didn't want the body of Jesus to hang on the cross after the sundown. So he petitioned the court for the body. The guards made sure Jesus was dead before giving up the body.... they ran a sword through Jesus and He didn't even smirk... so they knew he was "dead" and they allowed Joseph to take Him off the cross and lay Him in the tomb... to be embalmed in a day or two. It was the holiday... they had to finish later. If Joseph hadn't petitioned the court... so publicly... and pulled Jesus off the Cross.... so publicly.... the empty tomb wouldn't have stuck.... people would have said... Jesus just died and was buried like everyone else.... Joseph publicly caused the public vindication of Jesus walking out of the tomb.
Now back to the Quran.... this is a parable of explaining Moses, Jesus, and Muhammed. No one figured they were from God.... because they were human. I guess people want God to send us a big purple monster to tell us how to behave. We, being ignorant humans would probably fall down and worship the big purple monster... claiming the monster saved us from God! What morons we are!
Actually I think humans are so ignorant..... some people wouldn't Believe if God Himself made an appointment with them... in a three piece suit and discussed Heaven with a Power Point Presentation complete with donuts and coffee. They would disbelieve because of the color of his tie.
Notice that last verse..... it's a slam against the preachers, priests, and rabbis who are only there for the free housing and the paychecks. It's a slam against all those preachers, priests, and rabbis who never quite got around to getting on their knees and accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior before taking over the duties of the church under the thumb of the richest benefactor. This verse slams the liars who stand behind a pulpit without ever hitting his knees and going to God in prayer.
Respect the guy who works for no wage only to spread the Word.
Rich people can't control people who don't want or need money or other shiny baubles.
