Still, this will be a long post. My suggestion is to scan it; look for items that pop out to you and concentate on those. We will spend our time talking about these passages, and it is more important to get a flavor of the community through these writings.
First is a Psalm. I chose this because the DSS are one of the earliest places outside of Christian writings where the Holy Spirit seems to be a specific entity and not just a generic label for YHWH's influence.
Your holy spirit illuminates the dark places of the heart of your servant, with light like the sun. I look to the covenants made by men, worthless. Only your truth shines, and those who love it are wise and walk in the glow of your light. From darkness you raise hearts. Let light shine on your servant. Your light is everlasting. -- Qumran Psalm 23
We may look at a possible explanation for the birth of the community, but here is a place they explain in their own words:
He commanded that a sanctuary of men be built for himself in order to offer up to him like the smoke of incense the works of the Law And according to his words to David, "And I [will give] you [rest] from all your enemies" (2 Sam 7:11). This means that he will give them rest from a[ll] the sons of Belial, who cause them to stumble to destroy them [ ] according as they come with a plan of [B]el[i]al to cause the s[ons of] light to stumble, to think upon them wicked plans in order to deli[ver] his [s]oul to Belial in their w[ic]ked error. -- Scroll 4Q174
BTW, the lettering is common - 4Q174 = the 174th separate item from the 4th cave at Qumran.
This continues their story:
...for twenty years they groped for the Way. And God observed their deeds, for they sought him with a sound heart; and he raised up for them a Teacher of Righteousness to lead them in the Way of his heart. And he acquainted later generations with what he would do in the last generation, in the congregation of traitors, those who resist the Way.
...in accordance with the practice laid down originally by the men who entered the new covenant in 'the land of Damascus'; to pay their required dues in conformity with the detailed rules thereof; to love each man his neighbor like himself; to grasp the hand of the poor, the needy and the stranger; to seek each man the welfare of his fellow. -- from the Damascus Covenant
This Teacher of Righteousness either led the men into the wilderness or gathered them after they had fled into the wilderness, the 'land of Damascus.' His role, however, became central to the community and its aspirations.
He shall guide them with knowledge and instruct them in the mysteries of wonder and truth in the midst of the members of the community, so that they shall behave decently with one another in all that has been revealed to them. That is the time for studying the Torah (lit. clearing the way) in the wilderness. He shall instruct them to do all that is required at that time, and to separate from all those who have not turned aside from all deceit.
These are the norms of conduct for the Master in those times with respect to his loving and to his everlasting hating of the men of perdition in a spirit of secrecy. He shall leave to them property and wealth and earnings like a slave to his lord, (showing) humility before the one who rules over him. He shall be zealous concerning the Law and be prepared for the Day of Revenge. -- 4Q258
As you can see, the writing is not clear about the difference between this Teacher of Righteousness, generally accepted to have been an historical person, later appointed leaders of the Community, and one or both of the coming Messiahs:
Then by his Truth God will purge all the deeds of a man, and he will refine for himself (one) from the sons of Man removing every spirit of injustice from his flesh and purifying him from all deeds of wickedness by a holy Spirit. And he will sprinkle the Spirit of Truth on him like waters, purifying him from all the abominations of the Lie and of contamination by an unclean spirit, to instruct the righteous in the knowledge of the Highest and to teach the perfect of way the wisdom of the sons of Heaven. -- 1QS 4.20-22
This shifts us to the End Times, a constant concern in Israel at the time, and - just as Jesus was featured as Melchizedek, so was the coming leader/Messiah.
...it applies to the Last Days and concerns the captives, just as Isaiah said: "To proclaim the Jubilee to the captives" (Isa. 61;1) (...) ... for (... Melchizedek) , who will return them to what is rightfully theirs. He will proclaim to them the Jubilee, thereby releasing them from the debt of all their sins. Then the "Day of Atonement" shall follow after the tenth jubilee period, when he shall atone for all the Sons of Light, and the people who are predestined to Melchizedek. -- 11Q13
Regarding the End Time, the DSS feature two Messiahs (we'll talk more about that Monday), but one particular passage has a disputed word that could very important to Christianity:
]Isaiah the prophet: [The thickets of the forest] will be cut [down
with an axe and Lebanon by a majestic one will f]all. And there shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse [] the Branch of David and they will enter into judgement with [] and the Prince of the Congregation, the Bran[ch of David] will kill him [by stroke]s and by wounds. And a Priest [of renown (?)] will command [the s]lai[n] of the Kitti[m]... -- 4Q285 (translation by G. Vermes)
The dispute is over whether this Messiah kills or is killed. It may be the "Branch of David" who is "killed {by stroke]s and by wounds." Sound familiar?
Well, it is a VERY disputed point.
Finally, here's a big one (with some Hebrew just for interest). This is a fragment of the so-called Messianic Text from 4Q521:
1. [כי הס[מים והארץ ישמעו למשיחו
2. [וכל א[שר בם לוא יסוג ממצות קדושים
3. התאמצו מבקשי אדגי בעבדתו
4. הלוא בזאת תמצאו את אדני כל המיחלים בלבם
5. כי אדני חסידים יבקר וצדיקים בשם יקרא
6. יעל ענוים רוחו תרחף ואמונים יחליף בכחו
7. כי יכבד את חסידים על כסא מלכות עד
8. מחיר אסורים פוקח עורים זוקף כ]פופים ...]
9. יל[ע]לם אדבק [במי]חלים ובחסדו [...]
10. ופר[י ...]יש לוא יתאחר
11. ונכבדות שלוא היו יעשה אדני כאשר ד]בר]
12. [כי[ ירפא חללים ומתים יחיה ענוים יבשר
13. ו[...] ש[...]ושים ינהל ורעבים יעשר
14. [...] וכלם כ[...]
[...for the heav]ens and the earth will listen to his anointed one, [and all] that is in them will not turn away from the precepts of the holy ones. Strengthen yourselves, you who are seeking the Lord, in his service! Will you not in this encounter the Lord, all those who hope in their heart? For the Lord will consider the pious and call the righteous by name, and his spirit will hover upon the poor, and he will renew the faithful with his strength. For he will honor the pious upon the throne of an eternal kingdom, freeing prisoners, giving sight to the blind, straightening out the twis[ted.] And for[e]ver shall I cling to [those who] hope, and in his mercy [...] and the fru[it of ...] not be delayed. And the Lord will perform marvellous acts such as have not existed, just as he sa[id, for] he will heal the badly wounded and will make the dead live; he will proclaim good news to the poor and [...] he will lead the [...] and enrich the hungry. [...] and all [....]
-- 4Q521
Can't wait until Monday night!
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