Post by Mark on Sept 5, 2009 18:45:25 GMT -8
It is difficult and often frustrating as we try to live our lives in obedience to the commands given to us in Scripture. Often we are reminded of the short-comings in our ability to do so, not only because our personal inadequacy; but also because of the state of our world. We are not in the Land of the Covenant. The Temple is not standing upon Mount Zion. The Messiah does not sit in judgment over us from the throne of David.
We are in a state of flux between the ideals which were established for us in the days of Moses and the expected coming of our great God and King to restore all things under His rule. This position places us in an irreconcilable state of compromise.
"The rabbis taught: "It is a statute unto Israel," whence we infer that the Heavenly Court of judgment does not enter into judgment until the Beth Din on earth proclaims the new moon. Another Boraitha states: It is written: "It is a statute unto Israel." From this it appears that (New Year's Day is a day of judgment) only for Israel. Whence do we know it is so also for other nations? Therefore it is written: "It is the day of judgment of the God of Jacob" (the Universal God). Why, then, is "Israel" mentioned? To inform us that Israel comes in for judgment first. This is in accordance with the saying of R. Hisda: If a king and a congregation have a law suit, the king enters first, as it is said : "The cause of his servant (King Solomon) and the cause of his people." Why so? Because it is not customary to let a king wait outside." (Babylonian Talmud, Tract Rosh Hashanah, Chapter 1).
Our ability to live in perfect obedience is hindered by the absence of Messiah reigning in this present world. When He returns, He will establish the order of all things and the earth will resume the state of harmony and order established in
.Equally, judgment against us is stayed against us in this present world as the Beit Din, the Court of Heaven, is still to come.
But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
(Rom 14:10)
The prevailing opinion of the religious world is that this condition of relative anarchy excuses and allows all forms of depravity and lawlessness in our current age. However, the physical absence of the King or the judicial administration does not nullify the commandment. We will be held accountable to perform those things we are capable of performing upon the day of judgment. Just as during the time of captivity, the Jewish people were expected to maintain their distinctiveness among the nations, so we are also called to maintain this same relational station as we await Messiah’s return. The lack of external conditions designed to channel us in the way of obedience is no excuse for dismissal of the commands. "It’s only illegal if you get caught," is no reasonable defense, knowing that upon the day of judgment, we will be held in account for every deed done and every word spoken.
Yet, the absence of Messiah upon the throne, the Beit Din, and the Temple lends itself to an inevitable sense of relative anarchy. Messiah will ask upon His return, "Who has been faithful?" This question ought to be enough to look beyond the relative anarchy and live according to His establishment of order.
