# CXIV: Judaism explained — Verses on Various Occasions

> Chapter companion for Verses on Various Occasions by John Henry Newman.

## What happens

The chapter laments the fallen state of the Jewish people, once favored by Heaven but now blind and shamed. It reflects on Abraham's faith, the pollution of holy men, and the failed intercessions of Moses and Paul to avert divine judgment.

## Themes in this chapter

### Sin and Redemption

The chapter explores the sin of the Jewish people and the failed attempts at redemption through Moses and Paul, highlighting the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

### Faith and Doubt

Abraham's faith is contrasted with the doubt and denial of his progeny, and the chapter questions the efficacy of prayer and intercession.

### Suffering and Humility

The Jewish people are depicted as a 'piteous race' and 'aged blind,' suffering from their fall from grace, while Moses and Paul endure personal suffering in their intercessions.

## Character check-ins

### Abraham

Addressed as 'Abraham! sire, Shamed in thy progeny; Who to thy faith aspire, Thy Hope deny.'

### Moses

Mentioned as one who was outcast from the promised home for his own sin, yet his prayer changed his people's doom.

### Paul

Referenced as 'fervent Paul' who asked to bear the accursed tree like Christ but received no hopeful answer.

### Christ

Implied as the one who bore the accursed tree, with a price already shed in vain.

### Lord

Addressed as 'O Holiest Lord!' who cannot take stain of blood or taint of sin.

## Key lines

> O piteous race! Fearful to look upon, Once standing in high place, Heaven’s eldest son.

Oh pitiful people! Terrifying to behold, once exalted as Heaven's firstborn.

_Describes the fallen state of the Jewish people from their former glory._

> The first prevail’d; Moses was outcast from the promised home, For his own sin, yet taken at his prayer To change his people’s doom.

The first intercession succeeded; Moses was exiled from the Promised Land because of his own sin, but his prayer was still heard to alter his people's fate.

_Refers to Moses' successful intercession for Israel despite his own punishment._

> Close on their eve, one other ask’d and fail’d; When fervent Paul was fain The accursèd tree, as Christ had borne, to bear, No hopeful answer came⁠—a Price more rare Already shed in vain.

Near the end, another asked and failed; when zealous Paul wished to bear the cursed cross as Christ did, no encouraging reply came—a more precious sacrifice had already been offered in vain.

_Describes Paul's failed request to suffer like Christ, implying that Christ's sacrifice was already made but rejected._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/cxiv-judaism
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters