Post by Mark on Dec 19, 2008 4:32:43 GMT -8
One of the common accusations against the Jewish faith is that it is an empty show of piety: a collection of prayers and habit rituals that have no substance or meaning other than that they display one’s commitment to Judaism itself. There is no question that this can be easily applied to a great number of examples who have committed themselves to Judaism for the sake of their own reputation or conscience. Yet, equally, the Jew accuses the Christian of being wanton and arrogant, presumptuously claimimg the grace of the Most High with no respect or regard for His holiness. Both are true, and we are each guilty, to greater or lesser degree, of contributing these representations of our faith.
How funny it is that we, as believers in Messiah Yeshua as our example of faith, look to Him and His teachings to defend how it is that we worship, when He, in His practice and example demonstrated an unwavering commitment and observation and practice of Judaism.
This is how it is when we interpret the conduct of others from the outside, not understanding what is going on in the person’s heart, where stands the person in relationship with the Most High God.
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
(1 Samuel 16:7)
If we fail to understand this as being a fundamental of Jewish thought, then we completely forget that the Old Testament Scriptures are a Jewish text. King David was a Jew, as was the prophets Isaiah, Ezekiel and Jeremiah, who appealed to the people of Israel to, each one, own their own relationship with Adonai and not be carried along in the empty ritualism which would inevitably sway them toward baalism and later Greek gnosticism; but demanded that they worship in obedience to the commands and prohibitions that have been set before them in the
.
Messiah Yeshua, in His discourse, extended the same appeal of heart-felt righteousness, as opposed to empty ritualism.
Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
(Matthew 5:23-24)
It has been the Christian tradition to devalue the offering of gifts and sacrifices in ritual obedience as Temple worship prescribed. Messiah’s teaching reflects just the opposite: don’t devalue the offering by empty ritualism but first set your heart right so that the offering holds its value. This same appeal was made in Isaiah chapter 1, who declares that the offerings had become a repulsion to the Most High; but appeals to them to come before Him in repentance and as a response to their inclination toward righteousness.
Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
(Isaiah 1:13-20)
The ritual obedience of Jewish worship should not be considered empty or valueless; rather coming in obedience to Adonai on His terms, not on our own. Yet, if we participate in this form of worship as simply a physical act of homage we are missing the beauty of relationship to which we are being called. First, set things right in your life, putting things rightly in order in your heart. The come to Him in worship.
At the same time, the Christian observation that scoffs at the ritualism of the Jewish faith, never makes the slightest effort to come before God in obedience. They rather demand that the Most High join in fellowship with them, according to their customs and upon their terms. The wonderful thing about our God is that as He looks into the sincerity of men’s hearts, He is just likely to come.
It’s not our place to look into the gifts that men offer up the Most High and declare whether or not they are given in worthiness. We can’t see past the flesh, even if our interpretation of their conduct leaves them suspect. Where each one is in their heart in that moment that they appear before our Father God is not a condition we can diagnose. But, we can look within ourselves and determine what it is that we are doing when we present our gifts of worship before Him. Do we have yet unfinished business that minimizes or devalues the gift that we offer, because we offer it in insincerity? We have six days between each Sabbath to set things right. We have twelve (or so) hours between morning and evening prayers to seek reconcilliation. May we use the time wisely so that our offerings to God above are sweet.
How funny it is that we, as believers in Messiah Yeshua as our example of faith, look to Him and His teachings to defend how it is that we worship, when He, in His practice and example demonstrated an unwavering commitment and observation and practice of Judaism.
This is how it is when we interpret the conduct of others from the outside, not understanding what is going on in the person’s heart, where stands the person in relationship with the Most High God.
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
(1 Samuel 16:7)
If we fail to understand this as being a fundamental of Jewish thought, then we completely forget that the Old Testament Scriptures are a Jewish text. King David was a Jew, as was the prophets Isaiah, Ezekiel and Jeremiah, who appealed to the people of Israel to, each one, own their own relationship with Adonai and not be carried along in the empty ritualism which would inevitably sway them toward baalism and later Greek gnosticism; but demanded that they worship in obedience to the commands and prohibitions that have been set before them in the
.Messiah Yeshua, in His discourse, extended the same appeal of heart-felt righteousness, as opposed to empty ritualism.
Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
(Matthew 5:23-24)
It has been the Christian tradition to devalue the offering of gifts and sacrifices in ritual obedience as Temple worship prescribed. Messiah’s teaching reflects just the opposite: don’t devalue the offering by empty ritualism but first set your heart right so that the offering holds its value. This same appeal was made in Isaiah chapter 1, who declares that the offerings had become a repulsion to the Most High; but appeals to them to come before Him in repentance and as a response to their inclination toward righteousness.
Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
(Isaiah 1:13-20)
The ritual obedience of Jewish worship should not be considered empty or valueless; rather coming in obedience to Adonai on His terms, not on our own. Yet, if we participate in this form of worship as simply a physical act of homage we are missing the beauty of relationship to which we are being called. First, set things right in your life, putting things rightly in order in your heart. The come to Him in worship.
At the same time, the Christian observation that scoffs at the ritualism of the Jewish faith, never makes the slightest effort to come before God in obedience. They rather demand that the Most High join in fellowship with them, according to their customs and upon their terms. The wonderful thing about our God is that as He looks into the sincerity of men’s hearts, He is just likely to come.
It’s not our place to look into the gifts that men offer up the Most High and declare whether or not they are given in worthiness. We can’t see past the flesh, even if our interpretation of their conduct leaves them suspect. Where each one is in their heart in that moment that they appear before our Father God is not a condition we can diagnose. But, we can look within ourselves and determine what it is that we are doing when we present our gifts of worship before Him. Do we have yet unfinished business that minimizes or devalues the gift that we offer, because we offer it in insincerity? We have six days between each Sabbath to set things right. We have twelve (or so) hours between morning and evening prayers to seek reconcilliation. May we use the time wisely so that our offerings to God above are sweet.
