Post by Mark on Aug 30, 2008 5:55:06 GMT -8
Twice we are told in the 
that there is to be one Law, both for the home-born and for the stranger that dwells among the native Israelites. Yet, in the Parashah this morning, we find a distinction: that the natural citizen of Israel may not incur a debt that binds him for more than seven years. The resident alien may be bound by debt, hence forced into slavery, indefinitely. (Deuteronomy 15:1-3).
This can appear to some as being a contradiction in policy; but quite the opposite, it is designed to clarify the most fundamental principle of our faith: in order to reap the full benefits of the community of faith, we must become part of that community.
The Israelites were commanded to purge all the idolatrous nations from their borders- not only of the people; but of the relics that were representative of that culture. Yet, their borders were not to be closed. Anyone who had fled from the land and wished to return would be welcome; but they were welcome to come into the land of Israel; not to restore the previous status quo. At the same time, while they must live by the laws and ordinances that governed Israeli society, they were not forced to become Jews. It was not assumed that they would recognize nor would they be forced to identify with the God of the Jews.
This is the element that caused so much confusion among the early believers. The Judaizers, a sect of the Pharisee which demanded proscyletization in order to enter the Messianic community, understood this distinction between foreign residents and natural (or naturalized) citizens the same distinction as those would enter into Israel to dwell without becoming part of the community. In other words, they had a valid theological case for their position.
Paul’s case was much stronger. And we believe that "he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." (Romans 2:28-29)
We are continually invited to enter in and participate in this Jewish faith which is biblical Christianity. Ephesians 2:11-13 describes the invitation we have through Messiah Yeshua to become part of the commonwealth of Israel. Sadly, this invitation has been twisted so as to reject the Jewish citizenship that Messiah has made possible and that Paul has extended to us. The Christian wants the name of the Messiah, His gift of eternal life; but is committed to remain a foreigner and alien in the land. The Christian doesn’t understand that it is not freedom to live outside of the community of Israel. It is rather to hold fast to the debts that we have incurred.
Is there benefit to the name of the Messiah as our only hope of salvation? Absolutely! It is by His name and by His name alone that we can and absolutely will be saved from Adonai’s wrath. Is there value in learning the things of Scripture, even from a gentile perspective, ignorant of the intricacies and nuances of the Hebraic tradition? Without a doubt! These are the words of life; and the lightest sips bring peace and love and understanding that transcends anything that this carnal world has to offer.
But… if you want more… if you want to have all that Adonai has blessed you with in the richness and fullness of His Word. If you want all your debts cancelled and left behind, then enter in and become part of the community, leaving your gentile identity behind. You are welcome to come and share all that it there is in this Kingdom of God.
that there is to be one Law, both for the home-born and for the stranger that dwells among the native Israelites. Yet, in the Parashah this morning, we find a distinction: that the natural citizen of Israel may not incur a debt that binds him for more than seven years. The resident alien may be bound by debt, hence forced into slavery, indefinitely. (Deuteronomy 15:1-3).This can appear to some as being a contradiction in policy; but quite the opposite, it is designed to clarify the most fundamental principle of our faith: in order to reap the full benefits of the community of faith, we must become part of that community.
The Israelites were commanded to purge all the idolatrous nations from their borders- not only of the people; but of the relics that were representative of that culture. Yet, their borders were not to be closed. Anyone who had fled from the land and wished to return would be welcome; but they were welcome to come into the land of Israel; not to restore the previous status quo. At the same time, while they must live by the laws and ordinances that governed Israeli society, they were not forced to become Jews. It was not assumed that they would recognize nor would they be forced to identify with the God of the Jews.
This is the element that caused so much confusion among the early believers. The Judaizers, a sect of the Pharisee which demanded proscyletization in order to enter the Messianic community, understood this distinction between foreign residents and natural (or naturalized) citizens the same distinction as those would enter into Israel to dwell without becoming part of the community. In other words, they had a valid theological case for their position.
Paul’s case was much stronger. And we believe that "he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." (Romans 2:28-29)
We are continually invited to enter in and participate in this Jewish faith which is biblical Christianity. Ephesians 2:11-13 describes the invitation we have through Messiah Yeshua to become part of the commonwealth of Israel. Sadly, this invitation has been twisted so as to reject the Jewish citizenship that Messiah has made possible and that Paul has extended to us. The Christian wants the name of the Messiah, His gift of eternal life; but is committed to remain a foreigner and alien in the land. The Christian doesn’t understand that it is not freedom to live outside of the community of Israel. It is rather to hold fast to the debts that we have incurred.
Is there benefit to the name of the Messiah as our only hope of salvation? Absolutely! It is by His name and by His name alone that we can and absolutely will be saved from Adonai’s wrath. Is there value in learning the things of Scripture, even from a gentile perspective, ignorant of the intricacies and nuances of the Hebraic tradition? Without a doubt! These are the words of life; and the lightest sips bring peace and love and understanding that transcends anything that this carnal world has to offer.
But… if you want more… if you want to have all that Adonai has blessed you with in the richness and fullness of His Word. If you want all your debts cancelled and left behind, then enter in and become part of the community, leaving your gentile identity behind. You are welcome to come and share all that it there is in this Kingdom of God.
