AboutRev C.Brian Ross Expertise I am happy to offer answers to anyone with a question that refers to the Christian Faith in its widest possible sense. I believe that the Bible is the living Word of God, and seek to base all of my life on its teaching. I also have some knowledge of some of the cults, and of Islam and Judaism. Of course, my answers are just one man's thoughts, and I would always advise a questioner to check with others, and with the Word of God.
Experience Served as a full-time parish minister in Scotland for about six years, and then spent the last thirty as a teacher (now 'retired') of Religious Education in Secondary Comprehensive schools (ages 11-17) while continuing my own preaching and teaching ministry. I also believe that learning is a life-time process, and have recently completed a Master's degree in Divinity.
Organizations Former Presenter on Revival FM - a local Christian, community radio station, broadcasting in west central Scotland, and online at revival.fm Involved with a number of organisations that support Christians who are currently suffering persecution in some 70 countries around the world.
Publications Various articles in Christian magazines. I also have two blogsites - www.crazyrev.blogspot.com and (with audio messages) www.revcbross.blogspot.com
Education/Credentials Diploma of The Bible Training Institute, Glasgow;
Licentiate in Theology of the University of Glasgow;
Associateship of The Philosophical Society of England;
Bachelor of Arts Degree (Hons) in History from The Open University;
Post-grad Certificate of Education - Religious Education and History;
Post-grad Cetificate in Learning and Teaching;
Post-grad Diploma in Management and Learning in Education;
Master of Science Degree from the University of Strathclyde;
Master of Divinity Degree (Hons) from Trinity College and Seminary (accredited by the University of Liverpool)
Question Yes it was a long answer and so I appreciated it all the more - for some reason or other, this tunnel that was built by Hezekiah has fascinated my for about 9 months now and I dont understand why - and so I am comming to the experts panel to ask them about it.
In john chapt 7 Jesus is watching the rituals at the feast of the tabernacles. The Jews were taking golden bowls of water and filling them from the pool of Siloam - watching this, in verse 37 and 37 of John chapter 7, Jesus tries to avert the crowds attention to Himself as the living water - not that which was taken from the pool of Siloam.
Now my follow up question would be this - as you had stated earlier - the pool's water was a symbol of life back then and now here Jesus in short is saying, "No, It's ME who you should be turning to for life." I guess ultimately I would like to know If GOD Himself considered that pool to indeed be a symbol of life and blessing or a man made attempt to ensure life? Thanks again
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The text above is a follow-up to ...
-----Question-----
During the last day of the feast of the tabernacles - the Jews were doing their whole water ritual. They used water from the pool of Siloam while Jesus was telling them that HE was indeed the living water - I was wondering if there was any significance to the fact that under Hezekiah's rule, this pool was what kept the people supplied with water during the three years they were under seige? Thankyou
-----Answer-----
Dear Pete,
Thank you for your question. The first question I was asked was relatively easy to answer, but you have raised a more challenging issue!
Let’s look at the background, first of all in the time of Hezekiah, and then in the time of Jesus
There are three references to Hezekiah’s “water-retention” policy. These are in II Kings 20:20; II Chronicles 32:30; and the non-canonical Sirach 48:17. Each of these refers to the tunnel that Hezekiah had dug, from the Gihon Spring, and which ended in a pool that, later, was known as the Pool of Siloam. This was, undoubtedly, to ensure a water supply in the event of a siege. What many archaeologists and scholars believe to be the real Pool of Siloam, was only discovered a few years ago – somewhat to the west of the previously known pool. I can neither recall, nor find, any reference to a three-year siege of Jerusalem during the reign of this king, although the Assyrian king, Sennacherib twice invaded Judah during Hezekiah’s reign. However, II Chronicles 32:9ff shows that he only sent a deputation to Jerusalem, while “(…he and all the forces with him laid siege against Lachish)” The LORD intervened, in a miraculous way (32:21 ff; II Kings 19:35), and Sennacherib returned to his own kingdom where, some years later, he was assassinated by two of his own sons.
The only New Testament references to the Pool of Siloam are in John 9, in the context of the healing of a man who had been blind from birth. The story of Jesus and the blind man, is well known. Jesus was fleeing the Temple to escape either the priests or an angry crowd when He encountered the man. His disciples asked Jesus who had sinned, the man or his parents, to cause him to be born blind.
Jesus said that neither had sinned, but that the man had been born blind so that God's work might be revealed in him. With that, He spat in the dust to make mud, which He rubbed in the man's eyes before telling him to wash it off in the Pool of Siloam. When the man did so, he was able to see.
Now things begin to get interesting! The name of the pool comes from a Hebrew word (shiloah) that means “sent”. In John 9:5, the apostle records Jesus’ words “…I am the Light of the world”. The waters of the pool flow from the Temple mount and, even in the Old Testament, are regarded as symbolic of the spiritual blessings that flow from the dwelling-place of God. (cf Isaiah 8:6) The significance of the references to the pool and its supplying conduit would then be that, for spiritual cleansing, we must go to the true Siloam – even the One “sent” by the Father, and Who brings not just physical sight, but also spiritual sight to all who do so.
I realise that this is a long answer, but I trust that it will have brought some enlightenment. Please feel free to follow up with a supplementary question.
Blessings
C.Brian Ross
Answer Dear Pete,
After nine months, you are probably a greater expert on the subject than I!!!!
However, for what it’s worth, here are my further thoughts. I believe that the Old Covenant was a type/picture of the New Covenant. As Augustine (I think!) put it: “The New is in the Old concealed; the Old is in the New revealed” This means that I would see all of the OT (Jewish) festivals and rituals as being pictures in which we may discern Gospel truths. I agree, therefore, with your interpretation that Jesus was pointing out (ekraxen = shouting loudly!) that He is the source of real life. As to whether, or not, God considered the pool to be such a symbol, I would have to settle for saying “only in a typological sense”. I’m not trying to dodge the issue, but the bottom line is that only God knows the mind of God (see Rom.11:34; I Cor.2:16). Deut.29:29 is a useful little warning to us not to try to delve too deeply into things that only God knows!
I trust that this will be of further assistance – even if it may not be the definitive answer that I suspect you were wanting.
Blessings,
CBR
