Page 347 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

JOY - JUDAISM

circumstance and regardless of whether or not there are search for emotional euphoria in the here and now. [See
happy emotions at that particular time. Believe, Cheer, Cheerful, Comfort, Consolation,
There is great happiness in the Christian life, but it is Dancing, Delight, Glad, Happy, Healing, Heaven, Holy,
an error to think that this is solely what the Bible means Hope, Laughter, Merry, Mirth, Oil of Gladness, Rejoice.]
by joy and rejoicing. 2 Co. 6:10 says, “as sorrowful, yet JOY, OIL OF. [See Oil of Gladness.]
alway rejoicing.” 1 Pe. 1:6 says, “Wherein ye greatly JOZABAD (the Lord has given). 2 Ch. 31:13.
rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in JOZACHAR (remembered, he has given). 2 Ki.
heaviness through manifold temptations.” Jesus Christ, 12:21.
who was anointed with the oil of gladness (He. 1:9),
was also “a man of sorrows and acquainted with JOZADAK (God was just). Ezr. 3:2.
grief” (Is. 53:3). From these Scriptures it is evident that JUBAL (a constant stream, music). Ge. 4:21. [See
one can be joyful even when emotionally sorrowful, Cain, Iron.]
even when the spirit is heavy, even when one is JUBILEE. An O.T. Jewish celebration (Le. 25). The
acquainted with grief. Christian joy and rejoicing is, word means trumpet and is so named because the
above all else, steadfast confidence in God regardless of occasion began with the blowing of trumpets (Le. 25:9).
one’s circumstance. This is evident in the use of the Jubilee was to be held every 50 years. Every seven years
Greek words. The Greek word translated “joy” in Ro. Israel was to observe a sabbath of the land during which
5:11 (kauchaomai) is also translated “glory” (Ro. 5:3), the land would lie fallow. After seven sabbaths of years,
“rejoice” (Ro. 5:2), and “boast” (Ro. 2:17, 23; 3:27; 2 the Jubilee was to be observed. On the jubilee year
Co. 11:16). To boast or glory in Christ and the promises slaves were to be freed, the land was not to be farmed,
of God is rejoicing, and one can do this regardless of the and all land was to be returned to the original owners in
circumstance and regardless of whether or not there are case of incurred debt. This is a picture of the blessings
happy emotions. that will commence at Christ’s return. The trumpet looks
There is a danger in identifying Christian joy solely ahead to the one which shall blow at Christ’s coming
with emotional pleasure. Because of the fallen condition (Mt. 24:31; 1 Co. 15:52; Re. 11:15). [See Boaz, Feasts,
of this world and our own corrupted nature, it is certain Kinsman Redeemer, Millennium, Trumpet, Type.]
that we will experience a great deal of grief and JUCAL (I shall become superior, mighty). Je. 38:1.
heaviness in the present life. The great apostle Paul said, JUDA, JUDAH (praise, thanksgiving). The fourth son
“... even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting of Jacob (Ge. 29:35). His children became a tribe of
for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our Israel. Judah is especially famous because Jesus Christ
body” (Ro. 8:22-23). God does not promise to deliver came through this tribe (Ge. 49:8-10; Nu. 24:17; 26:19;
the Christian from the pains of a fallen creation. James Ru. 4:12; Ne. 11:24; Mt. 1:2-3; Lk. 3:33; Re. 5:5).
5:13 says, “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is Judah also is a title for the southern portion of Israel
any merry? let him sing psalms.” The Word of God after the division of the kingdom, since the tribe of
recognizes that there will be different emotional Judah followed the Davidic king (2 Ki. 12:20-23; Is.
experiences among the members of a church at any 1:1).
given time, and it doesn’t demand that all conform to a JUDAISM. The corrupted religion presently followed
single euphoric standard. The afflicted one is not told to by unbelieving Jews. It is a corrupt mixture of O.T.
try to be merry; he is told to pray. teaching and human tradition. There is a move on the
In fact, to the worldly Christian who is rejoicing in part of many professing Christians to accept unbelieving
sensual merriment, the apostle James says, “Be afflicted, Jews as God’s children, merely because of their Old
and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to Testament heritage and their natural standing as
mourning, and your joy to heaviness” (Ja. 4:4, 9). This children of Abraham. Many local clergy associations
is apt instruction for our present generation of now include unsaved Jewish leaders as fully-accepted
Christians. members. The Roman Catholic Second Vatican Council
The fullness and perfection of emotional happiness of the mid-1960s spoke of “the great spiritual heritage
belongs to the future when the believer will bask in the common to Christians and Jews” and said, “it is the wish
eternal glory of Christ. We must not make it our chief of this sacred Council to foster and recommend a
aim in this present world to seek such joy, or we will be mutual knowledge and esteem” between Jews and
severely disappointed. Like Jesus, “who for the joy that Christians. Pope John Paul II took the historic step of
was set before him endured the cross” (He. 12:2), the speaking in a Jewish synagogue, and he said that the
child of God must endure the sufferings of this present mutual respect between Judaism and Catholicism
life with his eyes focused on the unspeakable joy which should require that there be no attempt at proselytizing.
is to come. He must refuse to be sidetracked by a vain Judaism is one of the so-called “living faiths” with which

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 347