<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter Snyder Q: Who were Jannes and Jambres, who opposed Moses? I cannot find a reference to them in the Old Testament. Also where is it in the Old Testament that Michael the Archangel disputed with the devil about Moses body, or that Enoch prophesied? Do the Jews have any traditions regarding these stories? I searched all over from the book of Matthew where it says that it is fulfilled that Jesus shall be "called a Nazarene" (Matthew 2:23) and couldn't find that, either. A: Jannes and Jambres are the names given to the Egyptian sorcerers who opposed Moses as he came to tell Pharaoh to let God's people go. As you note, the names come not from the Bible. Instead, they seem to occur in extra-biblical commentaries called Haggadah (ancient Jewish lore forming especially the nonlegal part of the Talmud) and from there came into more common usage. Similarly, the account of Michael contesting for the body of Moses is from such an source. In Daniel and the non-scriptural book of 1 Enoch, Michael is the chief heavenly prince and the defender of Israel. Some theologians have equated him, whose name means "Who Is Like God," with the pre incarnate Second Person of the Holy Trinity, Jesus Christ. The prophecy of Enoch from Jude also comes from 1 Enoch. The "Nazarene" prophecy concerning Jesus is based on Isaiah 11:1. "Nazarene" is a word-play on the Hebrew word ~netzer~, which means "branch," that is, the Shoot from Jesse, the Branch from out of his roots. Q: What does Isaiah 6:9-11 mean? A: It will be easier to illustrate if we also include verses twelve and thirteen: "9 And he said, 'Go, and say to this people: "Hear and hear, but do not understand; see and see, but do not perceive." 10 Make the heart of this people fat, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.' 11 Then I said, 'How long, O Lord?' And he said: 'Until cities lie waste without inhabitant, and houses without men, and the land is utterly desolate, 12 and the Lord removes men far away, and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land. 13 And though a tenth remain in it, it will be burned again, like a terebinth or an oak, whose stump remains standing when it is felled.' The holy seed is its stump." It's so interesting that two questions from unrelated people should intersect on the matter of Messianic prophecy and cut-down trees. The Lord sends Isaiah out with his Law preaching, which the people will not understand. Even if they try, the Lord will not allow it. He doesn't want partial understanding and token obedience. Instead, he will treat his own as a pagan nation because of their unbelief. While this prophecy is for all of Israel, it is similar to the way in which Paul speaks of men being "handed over to Satan" for a time. They must be exposed fully to the ugliness of their sins in order to be prepared for God's forgiveness. This also will make the faithful even more dependent upon the Lord. They'll not have nation or king or temple, but will be carried off into captivity. Babylon would fulfill this prophecy and carry off or destroy most of Judah. The destruction will not be casual or token, but will leave only a small remnant, and these in a foreign land. In this, we have imagery of a new Creation and a new Exodus, where God will both remake his people and will again save them from the oppressor. Ultimately, it also points to the coming Christ, who is the "holy seed" and who will remake our relationship with God and send his Holy Spirit to remake us. He also becomes the Author of the ultimate Passover, where death will pass over all who are sprinkled with his blood in baptism and who will then cross over the final Red Sea or Jordan River, that is, will enter heaven. That's it for now. You can submit questions by mail to "Ask the Pastor," PO Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or just stop me on the street. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches in Jasper and Woodville, Texas and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1999 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.