all of Galations 3 ;)

[messimom]

Ok, I know this task is huge, probably too big to try to tackle in this one little thread, but I don't know where to start easily and its a question I've had for so long, that I'm just going to delve in, and hope for some clarification.

The issue I'm trying to resolve is how to reckon certain writings from Paul to my Christian friends who don't completely understand my desire to be observant. Now, I find that, for the most part, if you look a little deeper and read a passage in context that clarification on validity throughout the gospels comes into focus. However, there are spots like Galations 3 when the scriptures seem to talk circles around themselves, and seem to be in near constant contradiction with themselves.

There are other areas in the Brit Chadashah that are just as confusing, but for the sake of a genesis, I am using this chapter.

Now, I know that Paul is speaking to the people of Galatia who are trying to tell gentiles that in order to be saved, they need to be following , (ie. salvation comes thru , not --salvation, and obedience of following) and his main point is that salvation comes by faith, not works, but within this, his argument is extremely confusing.

Galatians, chapter 3


1: O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?

2: Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?

3: Are you so foolish? Having begun with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh?

4: Did you experience so many things in vain? -- if it really is in vain.

5: Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?

6: Thus Abraham "believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." So , okay, "faith" has been around since Abraham.

7: So you see that it is men of faith who are the sons of Abraham.

8: And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed."

9: So then, those who are men of faith are blessed with Abraham who had faith.

10: For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be every one who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, and do them."

11: Now it is evident that no man is justified before God by the law; for "He who through faith is righteous shall live";

12: but the law does not rest on faith, for "He who does them shall live by them."

13: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us -- for it is written, "Cursed be every one who hangs on a tree" --

14: that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

15: To give a human example, brethren: no one annuls even a man's will, or adds to it, once it has been ratified.

16: Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, "And to offsprings," referring to many; but, referring to one, "And to your offspring," which is Christ.

17: This is what I mean: the law, which came four hundred and thirty years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. Is not , the Word of the Lord, Yeshua, eternal, does he mean here that the law wasn't introduced to man until Moses, if so, then did everyone up until Moses eat a pork sandwich during their lunch break while working on the sabbath, amongst other known no-no's?

18: For if the inheritance is by the law, it is no longer by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.

19: Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made; and it was ordained by angels through an intermediary. So the law was only good until Yeshua got here? Again, isn't the law eternal?

20: Now an intermediary implies more than one; but God is one. Okay, this intermediary interjection into the subject just doens't make any sense? Why is this little bit even here?

21: Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not; for if a law had been given which could make alive, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.

22: But the scripture consigned all things to sin, that what was promised to faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

23: Now before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. But wait, I thought that according to verse 17, the law was 430 years after "faith"? And then, when Yeshua came, faith was finally "revealed"? Now I'm really confused.

24: So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. This is a classic appearance of annulment of the law. Once Christ came, the law was unnecessary. With verse 25 following, how do we explain this statement?

25: But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian;

26: for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.

27: For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

29: And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise

How do we explain these seemingly discrepancies? If I don't understand them, how do I explain them, let alone, follow my Elohim?

Shavua Tov,

Messimom

[Mark]

HI Mom,

First, I want you to take a letter that you've gotten in the mail recently and tear it width-wise into one, two and three inch strips. Now throw the paper on the floor and pick up one of the strips and read it over and over again. Either it's not going to make much sense or its going to say something completely contrary to what you already know is the intended meaning. That's why we have context.

In Galatians 1, Paul gives the purpose of his letter-

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
(Galatians 1:6-7)

What is the perversion of the gospel? It's not because in Hebrews 4:2 says that the same Gospel was preached unto those in the Old Testament as that which has been taught to us; but it did not profit them, not being mixed with faith.

The Law doesn't save us. It never has. The grace given through the redemptive work of the Messiah saves us; yet, through the Law is the knowledge of sin (Romans 7:7-12). Paul said, "I thought I was a pretty good guy once; then I came to understood and realized that without the Messiah, I'm a dead man."

Those who use Galatians to refute obedience to stop before getting to Galatians 5.

But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
(Galatians 5:18-21)

Interesting words (I use King James on purpose here)
How do we define adultery? Do we define it the way our modern culture defines it or do we define it the way Yeshua defined it (Yeshua defined it according to ) . How about fornication? There are cultures in America that say incest and beastiality are okay. Are those fornication? You'll find nowhere in the New Testament to back that up. Ah yes, our favorite... How do you define uncleanness? There is no New Testament definition, yet here we find Gentiles being told to avoid the unclean. So, Paul is saying that the is worthless in Galatians 2-4 and then teaching observance in Galatians 5? Either we are willfully misunderstanding him somewhere or Paul has mental issues. Shall we compare Galatians with his other writings? Romans 3:31 says, "Do we make void the Law through faith? No, by no means! Rather, we establish the Law."

It's also important to compare Galatians to the books of 2nd and 3rd Galatians. I know. That's what most people say; but look at 1st Peter 1:1. Peter is talking to the same audience. In 1st Peter 1:16 Peter quotes (Leviticus 11:44) then in 1st Peter 2:2 says to "desire the sincere milk of the Word." Newsflash- the New Testamant had not been canonized yet.

In 2nd Peter 1:20, we're reminded that Scripture cannot be interpretted on its own merit (like our friends are doing witht he book of Galatians) but has to line up consistently with the prophets of old. Prophets never suggest that the will be done away. Instead, they promise a day when all nations will come to the holy City to learn to walk in (Isaiah 2).

The answer is that if you believe the whole Bible, stoip pitting Scripture against Scripture to justify the angle that you want to believe while ignoring the rest. Rather find the consistency in the text.

I'm running out of time; but if no one else chooses to address the specific passages you're concerned with, I can hop on it later.

Blessings in Messiah,

Mark

[Mark]

6: Thus Abraham "believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." So , okay, "faith" has been around since Abraham.

No, actually, faith has been around since Adam.

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
(Hebrews 11:4)

This is important when we get to Galatians 4:9.

But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
(Galatians 4:9)


The Greek word translated "turn" is epistrepho which is to revert to one's old ways. Keep in mind, we're not talking about Jews here. The old ways were not - it was Gaulism of upper Mesopatamia.

Imagine you come across a boy with two pieces of wood, trying to screw them together using a rock. You pull out a tool box and hand it to the boy and say, I want to give this to you. This is yours to keep. Then you open the box and pull out a screw-driver. You put the screw driver in the child's hand and you show him how the narrow end fits into the groove, and by twisting it, the screw will bind the two boards together. You've got some other suff to do so you go into the house confident that he's seen a little success and will do a good job. When you come back to see the boy living in victory, you find him holding the wrong end of the screw-driver, beating the head of the screw with it in the same manner he was using the rock. You're likely to respond just like Paul did to the Galatians. That's (apparently) exactly what they were doing. They embraced this new theology; but were worshiping in the same spirit of paganism that they were thought to have abandoned.

Let me re-translate verse 10 for you so that it makes a little more sense. "For as many as are placing their confidence in mitzvot are guilty, as it is written, Guilty is everyone who does not persevere in the the whole ."

The gentile Church grabs onto that word curse; but would rather you understand it to be the Greek word anathema (which is condemnation to Hell) rather than guilty (katarah). If we fail to keep the commandments of , are we guilty? Yeah. Are we placing our confidence in our ability to keep the commandments for our relationship with Adonai? Remember that Galatians 1:6-7 tells us that Paul was dealing with a perverted gospel- a gospel that was truth mixed with paganism based upon ritual and not relationship.

Faith is not a New Testament concept. It's a Jewish concept. Hebrews 4:2 tells us that the same Gospel was preached to those of old as has been preached to us; but it did not profit those, not receiving it in faith.

Faith is the substance of Exodus from Egypt- they knew, based upon the promise of Jacob, they would return to the land of promise. By faith they drank the waters of Merribah. By faith they looked upon the brazen serpant. By faith they crossed the Jordan river and entered the Promised Land.

When one uses the "faith" argument against obedience of , take them to James 2:8-18. Do we believe all Scripture? If faith were not expected to be followed by obedience; then the story of Exodus, the story of our faith, would be a very short story indeed.

[Mark]

17: This is what I mean: the law, which came four hundred and thirty years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. Is not , the Word of the Lord, Yeshua, eternal, does he mean here that the law wasn't introduced to man until Moses, if so, then did everyone up until Moses eat a pork sandwich during their lunch break while working on the sabbath, amongst other known no-no's?

Psalm 119:160 says, "Your Word is from the beginning: and every one of Your righteous judgmenst endures forever."

It doesn't take too much to demonstrate that the was established long before Sinai. We are scandalized to think that we don't have all the information, that Adonai didn't take the time to reveal every detail concering His creation to us. I've often responded, "Isn't the Book thick enough, already? Yet, there is definitely more than we give it at first glance.

Take a look at Genesis 4:3-4. Cain and Abel were offering firstfruits. How did they know to do that without the ?

In Genesis 7:1-2, Noah is instructed to distinguish between the clean and the unclean.

In Genesis 18:19, Abraham is deemed worthy to become the father of many nations because he will teach his children the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment. How is this, doesn't the teach us how to know this?

If you were to plot the lifespans of the patriarchs from Adam to Abraham, you will find that there was at least one person living at all times who "walked with God". This is where they learned to live according to .

So, what is this deal about Abraham?
The context of the book of Galatians revolves around the events of Acts 15. Galatians 2:1-10 describes the situation. In Galatians 6:12-15 he addresses the issue head-on:

As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
(Galatians 6:12-13)

In this context, Paul is not comparing the covenant of Abraham with the keeping of ; but the sign of circumcision which was given in both instances. Circumcision was being used as an essential validation of the faith. (If you're not circumcised, you can't be saved.) Paul's argument is that the promise given through Abraham (before circumcision) is not invalidated by the commandments given at Sinai.

Incidently, no where is the gentile who joins himself to Israel required to be circumcised unless he is partaking of the Passover lamb (Exodus 12). The command to circumcise is only given once in (Leviticus 12:3), on the eighth day after birth. We teach that even gentile infants should be circumcised on the eighth day according to the commandment; but of anyone joining us, this is not a requirement because the Passover lamb is not slaughtered here in Oregon.

This makes sense when we look at the aparent discrepency between Paul's dealing with Timothy and Titus. Paul had Timothy circumcised because he was a Jew. (Acts 16:3). Timothy would not be able to enter the Temple unless he had been circumcised (Ezekiel 44:9). Titus was a gentile. (Galatians 2:3). He had no way of ever entering the Sanctuary because he was not Jewish. There was no need.

What's so tragic is that the gentile Church does not carry the logic of Galatians 3:17 to the next point. The statement is this: the new covenant does not annul that which was previously ratified. The Law at Sinai was not a stop-gap of legalism (a short period in history when one nation was atoned for by the blood of animals while everyone else was free to do as they pleased). Grace has been the tone of God's Word to man from the very beginning, throughout all history and to all people... yet, it is grace granted on God's terms, not man's.

[Chizuk Emunah]

Well I don't have a whole lot to add to that... Well put Mark. I think you explained that very well.

[Pioneer]

As far as the Word of the Lord/Yeshua/ being known to man prior to Sinai, lets take Adam, first man, Ge 2:19 So out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.
Without /Word/Yeshua, Adam could not call them anything!
It is implied that the Word//Yeshua was breathed into Adam at creation, otherwise he would have had to learn to speak, so he could not give these animals names as they were brought to him.
Then Abram, Ge 15:1 ¶ After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." Yeshua/Word/ came to him.

My two shekels.

[Mark]

The Church teaches us that Yeshua fulfilled all things when He died and was resurrected from the dead. If that is the case, then there remains no rest for the people of Adonai (Hebrews 4:9). Yeshua said in Matthew 5:17-18 that until heaven and earth pass away not one jot or tittle shall pass from the Law till all is fulfilled. It is not insignificant that in Revelation 21:1-6, there is a new heaven and a new earth. Yeshua makes the declaration in verse 6, "It is done." This is the same word (ginomai) that is translated fulfilled in Matthew 5:18. All has not yet been fulfilled. If it has, what are we doing here? If all has been fulfilled then Yeshua is not coming back.

In Matthew 28:18-20, Yeshua commands His disciples to go unto all nations (the gentiles), teaching them to observe all things that He had commanded. He didn't tell them to teach all things appropriate to their particular culture. He told them to teach everything that He had commanded. Newsflash: Yeshua taught . (John 5:30, 39)

A sister passage of Galatians 3 is 1st Timothy 1. Here again, the Church doesn't actually read; but reads over the text in order to prove their point.

"The Law is good if one uses it lawfully." To the Church, good for what? It's good to bring men to repentance. It's not for the righteous man, though; just for sinners. Here's where things are messed up. The Law brings men into the understanding of their need for a Savior. Their conclusion is that once the Savior has been realized (salvation) the Law is useless baggage. They are "made righteous in Christ (Romans 5:19). Here's the problem. In 1st Timothy 1, Paul is not speaking as one who has been "made righteous in Christ". He is speaking as "the chief of all sinners". (1st Timothy 1:15). Paul actually tells us that is neccessary (how it is good) for the establishment of sound doctrine(1st Timothy 1:10).

Shall we go to Galatians 3? The same logic is applied: the Law was given as the schoolmaster (Galatians 3:24, 25) until Messiah should come. Once the Messiah came into the world (their thinking) the Law was cancelled. Let me change the perspective just a little bit. Paul hasn't said that when the Messiah came, the Law lost all of it's power. He has said that when faith came. Did faith come with the Messiah? We've learned that faith has existed from the beginning! (Hebrews 11). He's not talking about the timeline of biblical history, he's talking about your individual relationship with Adonai.

Before faith, we were using our understanding of the Law ( or our own definition of righteousness) in order to live in a way that was pleasing to Adonai (that's verse 23). Some argue that since there is not a direct article given to the Greek word "nomos", Paul could be speaking of "law" in generic terms. The argument is irrelevant. His point is that before faith comes, we try to please Adonai through works of our own merit, regardless of if that is or man's ideas.

Paul makes a very similar statement in Romans 7:7-9. He says, "I thought I was a pretty good person till the Law revealed sin in my life. Then sin raised up itself in accusation against me and I died." (Mark's own loose translation).

So now, we are not under the Law but under grace, right? Right! I guess that means it's okay to sin, to do what God has told us not to do because we're not under the condemnation of the Law. Wrong. Yeshua saved us from the condemnation of sin; but He did not change the definition of sin. He raised us up from the dust of the road and said, "Go and sin no more." We are no longer under the Law. The accusers have nothing on us. Yet, we are called to walk in righteousness.

But... what's changed? Faith has been since Adam. The has been since Adam. Yeshua has existed from all eternity and the throne of Adonai has never moved. What's changed? We have. And when we come to the knowledge of Messiah and been transformed into new, living creations, we ought to live as changed beings. (Romans 6).


I know I skipped over the intermediary part. I'll try to get to that tomorrow.

Blessings and love in Messiah,

Mark

[Firestorm]

Great thread! Galatians has always been a bit of a mystery to me.
I always knew God didn't "flip flop" like some cheesy politician saying one thing one day and another the next. I knew I had to be missing something I just couldn't put a finger on it and that made it tough to explain to other people.
Every little insight adds a new piece to the puzzle.

[Mark]

Okay, here we go. One last go around unless anyonw wants to discuss this further.

Why was the "intermediary" part put in there?

Here's a trick question: Are we saved by faith?

No... at least, not exactly. We're saved by the object of our faith: Yeshua the Messiah. Another word for faith is confidence. If I say, "That guy's got confidence." The implication is that he has self-confidence. Paul is not talking to the second or third generation Christian Church. He's talking to converted pagans. Therefore, when he speaks of faith, it is necessary and appropriate that he interject the object of that faith, otherwise, they are right back where they started: trusting in the merits of their own ability.

This also supports the distinction Paul is making between faith itself and Yeshua as the object of that faith which I suggested earlier. The Law didn't cease to exist when Messiah came. It lost its power when faith came, regardless of when that occurred.

It's important to read verses 16-22 as a single statement.

The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant. Scripture doesn't say, "descendants," referring to many, but "your descendant," referring to one. That descendant is Messiah. This is what I mean: The laws given to Moses 430 years after God had already put his promise to Abraham into effect didn't cancel the promise to Abraham. If we have to gain the inheritance by following those laws, then it no longer comes to us because of the promise. However, God freely gave the inheritance to Abraham through a promise. What, then, is the purpose of the laws given to Moses? They were added to identify what wrongdoing is. Moses' laws did this until the descendant to whom the promise was given came. It was put into effect through messengers, using a mediator. A mediator is not used when there is only one person involved, and God has acted on his own. Does this mean, then, that the laws given to Moses contradict God's promises? That's unthinkable! If those laws could give us life, then certainly we would receive God's approval because we obeyed them. But Scripture states that the whole world is controlled by the power of sin. Therefore, a promise based on faith in Jesus Christ could be given to those who believe.
(Galatians 3:16-22)

This demonstrates the same thought as Hebrews 10:1-6. The was never intended make us worthy of relationship with Adonai. It simply demonstrates our absolute inability to do so. We need the Messiah.

Incidently, read the . Learn what it tells you to do in your practical everyday life. It's not really that difficult. It's just that we're really that bad. Without the , we can go on thinking that we're pretty good people (just as Paul did in Romans 7). That's why we find that the Church hates us so much. That's why the Church is against . Yet, for me, makes every aspect of my life a thing of worship: when I succeed in doing what is right, I praise God, knowing that by His strength and through His I have learned to do well (that's Psalm 119 in a nutshell). When I fail, praise Adonai for the gift of Yeshua, He stands in my defense and offers me mercy (that's Psalm 51).

I hope this is helpful. There are a few things, as I read over it, seems a bit convoluted.

The easiest answer, when faced with arguements based upon the Pauline epistles is, "Are you a disciple of Yeshua or are you a disciple of Paul?" They don't argue that the teachings contradict each other, they argue a preference of one above the other. Yet Paul, himself said to follow him insomcuh as he is a follower (imitator) of the Messiah (1st Corinthians 11:1).

My favorite answer when we look Matthew 5:17-18 is when they say, "...but, this is what He meant!" Well, you go ahead and trust in what you've been taught that He meant and I'll believe what He said! How many will stand before Him and argue that He didn't actually mean what He said?

Grace to you and peace in the name of our Messiah, Yeshua who is from everlasting and to all eternity. May we quickly see His return.

Mark

[messimom]

Thank you Mark for being brave enough to indulge my overzealous thirst for answers with your thoughts and knowledge , I will read and reread!

Shabbat Shalom

Messimom

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

Amein Mark!

He had no way of ever entering the Sanctuary because he was not Jewish.

Although, when one joins the people of Yisrael and becomes circumcised, such a one could enter.

It simply demonstrates our absolute inability to do so.

Certainly all have fallen short when it comes to keeping perfectly, but at the same time our Heavenly Father encourages us that a observant lifestyle is not out of our reach as many in Christianity claim. This is especially true if we are enabled by the very Spirit of G'd...

"if you shall obey the voice of YHVH your elohim, to keep his mitzvot and his statutes which are written in this scroll of the ; if you turn to YHVH your elohim with all your heart, and with all your soul. For this mitzvah which I command you this day, it is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it to us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it to us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it? But the word is very near to you, in your mouth, and in your heart, that you may do it."
- Deveraim/Deut. 30:10-14

Shalom chaverim,

Reuel

[losquintanas]

Shalom,

The has always been and is a blessing.
Oh how I love your ! Ps. 119:97a

The has never been against the promises of God but confirms then to the end.

When God created Adam, He created him in His image, in His likeness. However Adam was taken from the ground Adamah. Even though he was created in the image of God his form was earthly. There is a difference from the natural earth and state of things that are earthly, and the spiritual things which are in Heaven. The is written in a way that reveals spiritual truths to flesh and blood who operate in this world and understand earthy things.
The Mishkan or Tabernacle in the wilderness was constructed out of earthy materials, the elements. The order in the was to create an earthy sanctuary which were a shadow or copy of the heavenly tabernacle and true Holy place, because God who affectionately cares for us began to reveal to us spiritual truths and His desire was to dwell among us in love.

The states that Adonai Elohim fashioned Et-HaAdam afar min-ha'adamah The man, dust from the earth.
The commandments found in the deal with sin and Gods righteous standards. However the also teaches us about Gods heavenly abode, the temple in heaven from a spiritual perspective with earthly illustrations. The blood of animals, the materials of the tabernacle, the articles of service, the garments of the Cohenim were all earthly, yet illustrations of spiritual truths. The is absolute truth! The words are Holy, and eternal, and shall never pass away. Galatians is a beautiful book and Paul had deep spiritual understanding that if were not careful we will miss because were focusing on the wrong things. God is spiritual, and because He is spiritual, earthly, elemental things though shadows of the realities of the World to Come were destined to only be temporal, but the words and spiritual truths everlasting. The realities were manifested in the true light, and life Yeshua Ben Elohim. He was/is the true Mishkan descending from the realities above. Through His body and blood our spirits have access to the throne room of God. God in Yeshua joins Himself to our weaknesses and diseases, hurts, and pains, because He is the manifestation of God Almighty, the reality stepped down into time from eternity's past. The however is eternal but speaks to is with time about timeless truths. And time means limitations, death.

Look at it like this: For I through the (the spiritual timeless truths in the realities of the person Yeshua) died to the (The truth in time , my death, of my fleshly weakness which could never be cleansed by the things of this world, teaching me rightousness and my seperation from God)that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the , then Christ is dead in vain. Galatians 2:19-21

Remember that when Adam sinned the adamah was cursed, and all of the elements of this creation are found in the adamah. The teaches us that the things of this world could never cleanse us spiritually, but they illustrate the goodness of God in Yeshua. The message of the Gospel which was preached before but now is being manifested in the truths that we believe. Gods covenant in Yeshua is a covenant that is illustrated by all former covenants, and in truth God circumcised us through Yeshua's death in putting off the flesh when we identify with Him in His death.

Our goals and accomplishments mean nothing. Our ethnic background and our possessions, our very lives are a gift from God and they are a reflection of the Messiah and His power to overcome death and grant Life.

Remember that Israel fell under a curse. Deuteronomy chapter 28 and Leviticus 26 prophesied that Israel would be cursed and removed from the land of their inheritance if they broke the covenant with God by disobeying the . Even though faith was around since the beginning, the covenant of Sinai didn't rest on faith in the , but an oath on both Israel and Gods part. The oath given to Abraham however was given to him by God alone and all Abraham had to do was stand in faith and rest on that promise. The promise was a son, and was a type and shadow of the Gospel of Gods son Yeshua to inherit the blessing. We see the truth of Gods coming to fulfillment when God removed Israel from the land, caused the people be overthrown by their enemies. They suffered horrible things because of the curse of the on them not because the is bad, It is Life, however death when faced with the truth of our sin, our faithlessness, our lusts, our hatred, our cursing, our doubt, our selfishness, our lack of self control.

Yeshua became the curse for us when He was crucified on the tree. He brought obedience of the Jewish people back to the through the giving of the Holy Spirit, and a light to the nations through His selfless act of death on the cross which is forever the eternal (Teaching) of Gods love. If people identify with this they find life apart from the , Jew or Gentile, but the responsibility and burden of instruction in LIFE is given to the Jewish people who know to the nations, and that is why Paul was selected to be an apostle to instruct the nations. Remember that the is Gods gift to teach us. We learn from the that Gods original intention was to give the privelege of ministering the heavenly things to the firstborn sons, but with the sin of the golden calf the ministry was given to the Levites. That means that the teaches us a mystery about Gods intention which was put on halt until the time of restoration, the imposition of the laws concerning the Tabernacle were temporary until a place was found in which to build a Temple and a site chosen.

The promise of the Holy Spirit through faith in the firstborn of God Yeshua is given to all who cleave unto His death. This brings joy to a persons heart and truly if people are close with the Spirit of God their spirits conform to the character of Yeshua. As much as I love the Rabbinical writings and for all their wisdom and beauty, I see such a lack of testimony and personal relationship in them. Though hinted at here in there, it is all based on Halakah, and received traditions. And not to say that is bad but that is the fruit of their endeavor to establish righteousness through the . More laws. Volumes and Volumes of laws.

The will never pass away but it served its purpose in speaking of a better hope to the world than a worldly sanctuary and a covenant with which a nation couldn't keep. When people turn to Yeshua they find freedom from sin and begin learning the ways of the . The becomes their delight. I see however alot of bitterness in people who begin to see the truths about the atrocities the church has done to the Jewish people and their lack of obedience to or their misunderstanding of these things. And instead of living a life of love and freedom the become angry and frustrated and bitter with people and they speak evil about pastors and the church. They begin to question scripture and especially the scriptures of Paul and discuss halakic matters more than what Messiah has done for them and their lives are more focused on study than on fasting and prayer. Truly the spiritual life is hard, and to obey the is LIFE, but then when we become like what I just mentioned (in which I have been guilty of also), we are in big danger because although we think we are obeying the we turn into its Judge and are no longer obedient to .

Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. James 4:11

I understand your struggle with Galations but you must have faith and trust in the words of life. Trust in Yeshua. I love Gods , and sometimes I get persecuted because I eat kosher and keep Sabbath and otherthings as well but I have learned to live without all of my goals and accomplishments in the and just be satisfied with Yeshua. I have learned to love other people and trust in the words of the Brit Chadashah and Paul, to encourage people to attend church and live a life of faith in Yeshua but as far as your convictions go to obey never let anyone steal that from you, but have confidence in God.

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"The Church teaches us that Yeshua fulfilled all things when He died and was resurrected from the dead. If that is the case, then there remains no rest for the people of Adonai (Hebrews 4:9). Yeshua said in Matthew 5:17-18 that until heaven and earth pass away not one jot or tittle shall pass from the Law till all is fulfilled. It is not insignificant that in Revelation 21:1-6, there is a new heaven and a new earth. Yeshua makes the declaration in verse 6, "It is done." This is the same word (ginomai) that is translated fulfilled in Matthew 5:18. All has not yet been fulfilled. If it has, what are we doing here? If all has been fulfilled then Yeshua is not coming back."

I never saw or even thought of it this way before until I read this. And it makes sense and is so true.

"If all has been fulfilled then Yeshua is not coming back."

This is what got my attention.

I am doing a study on Galations. I may not understand it at this moment in time but I am sure that when I continue to study it then it will become more clear. Yet many questions still remains.

Moriah Ruth