Post by shamgar on Apr 30, 2013 20:10:22 GMT -8
Feel free to criticize or use anything for free. God bless!
Mosaic Law Advocation
All quotations are from the KJV. The term "Legalism" or "Judaizer" is not found in Scripture. So what is the problem exactly? The Law, or more specifically, the keeping of it. There are many, many scriptures I wanted to include, but I didn't want to burden anyone excessively and I don't want to be accused of elephant hurling. If I miss any verses I am happy to go over them, I am not infallible, only God and His Word are, I am doing the best I can with what I have. I think the God is the best interpreter of Scripture, so I would like really to let the Ruach Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit) speak for Himself. Two very important verses come to mind before we begin our study.
"And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?"
Mark 12:24
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."
Acts 17:11
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness"
2 Timothy 3:16
This was when there WAS no New Testament, so this is speaking of the Old Testament! So what is an example of something that could be profitable for us to do?
"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law."
Nehemiah 8:8-9
They wept when they heard they hadn't been keeping the law, in that Spirit let us turn our hearts toward God and His ways.
B'rit Chadeshah
The New Covenant, I won't be dividing because I am assuming to some degree most Christians are familiar with the difference between the Gospels, Acts (Luke part 2), The Epistles and Revelation. Still, hear the words of the Lord Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach). Is there anything more important in this life (and the next) then to listen to Yeshua? Remember when you first came to Christ, how in love you were the His Words, with Him.
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil"
Matthew 5:17
So to say Yeshua means fulfil in the sense of not having to keep the law, destroys the sense of the passage itself, and the context of the following passages. In Greek the word fufil indicates to fully preach "(Strong's concordance) 4137 πληρόω plēroō to fulfil, i.e. to cause God's will (as made known in the law) to be obeyed as it should be, and God's promises (given through the prophets) to receive fulfilment"
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."
Matthew 5:18
Not just the ten commandments, those are referred to in the Bible as 1. The ten commandments 2. The words of the covenant (cf. Exodus 34:28) 3. His covenant (cf. Deuteronomy 4:13) 4. The first writing (cf. ibid 10:4) never as the law.
"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5:19-20
The law are commandments, but that only strengthens the case, for where is this done? What is the greatest commandment? It is not one of the 10.
"Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
Matthew 22:36-40
Now there is an instance where the ten commandments are called commandments by our Lord, but this doesn't negate the other evidence we have seen, and in fact he uses the opportunity to tell him to do more than just the ten commandments.
"If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."
Matthew 19:17-21
He says keep the commandments, and names commandments not in the ten commandments, again and in a different place...
"And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these."
Mark 12:28-31
It is not the only place He says to do keep the law of Moses (God's law).
"Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not."
Matthew 23:2-3
Multiple commentaries (which are not in favor of keeping all of Mosaic law) say that he was not advocating Talmudic ordinances, which would be a contradiction to his ministry as a whole, but that when it says "they sit in the seat of Moses" means when they tell you to keep the law of Moses.
To put it simply, Jesus says: Whenever they (the scribes) tell you to do something Moses said to do, do that.
It is possible to keep to the best of your ability.
"And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless."
Luke 1:6
What does Yeshua say? Remember, Yeshua is the God of the Hebrew Scriptures as well.
"If ye love me, keep my commandments."
John 14:15
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
John 15:10
What is sin?
"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."
1 John 3:4
"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."
1 John 5:2-3
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."
Revelation 14:12
"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
Revelation 22:14
Now you have to keep in mind all the other things we've read, that the Word of God cannot be with contradiction, for it is perfect and unerring, but reflect
on the whole counsel of God.
"Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment"
Acts 15:24
Sounds like what I'm doing right? What is the context of this argument?
"And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved."
Acts 15:1
The issue is not of commandment keeping per se but of soteriology, that is, how are men saved. Not by works but by faith in Messiah,
"...purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they."
Acts 15:9-11
What would make the Council of Jerusalem make such a landmark decision to not need to keep God's law?
"Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day."
Acts 15:18-21
They said just make sure they do these certain things right now, and why? For (because) They assumed they would hear the rest of the Bible in Church later, and would work their way up to it. Otherwise what does this passage mean?
"And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also
walkest orderly, and keepest the law."
Acts 21:20-24
Paul himself kept the law, he didn't force the law on the Goyim the same reason I don't, the most important thing is their salvation, if they can do the other stuff, great, if not, at least they are saved.
"While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all."
Acts 25:8
What about Paul's letters? Let's look through them. Keeping in mind what Peter said...
"Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction."
2 Peter 3:14-16
"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
Romans 3:19-20
The issue isn't keeping the law, the whole letter to the Romans is how is a man saved, through works or by faith? It is evident from the letter itself after a casual reading and the great scholars of history will attest to it, as well as your own eyes.
"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."
Romans 3:28
What does Paul think of the law, not for salvation then?
"Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law."
Romans 3:31
"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."
Romans 6:14
So we're not under Old Testament law right? Remember context, for salvation. Proof? The very next part EVERYONE forgets to mention...
"What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid."
Romans 6:14
"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God."
Romans 7:4
Here seems like a clear passage. What does the rest of the chapter say?
"But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." Romans 7:6
Again for salvation (and actually to better help us keep the law), remember the point of the whole letter. An example of newness in spirit is "Thou shalt not commit adultery" but now you don't even lust
in your heart, or look at a woman. The Old is still there, the New reinforces it. Or from not killing to not hating, it doesn't mean to hate but it's ok to kill. Paul makes an example of "not muzzling the oxen while he treads the grain", then uses it to infer paying the preacher. Does that make it ok not to feed your animals?
"What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid."
Romans 7:7
"Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good."
Romans 7:12
"For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin."
Romans 7:14
"If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good."
Romans 7:16
"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."
Romans 7:22-25
Here it is important to notice which law he is talking about, evil law or God's law, and for what purpose, he is saved from the law so he is saved, not so he
doesn't have to keep it.I think you get the general idea by now, try reading the passage through Jewish/Christian eyes, the Hebraic perspective the writer had (and is lol) and his
readers would have gotten from it.
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
Romans 8:2-4
Why has it been so different for so long? Maybe a clue in the same chapter?
"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."
Romans 8:7
"But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."
Romans 9:31-33
The long and the short of the whole matter.
"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them."
Romans 10:1-5
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Romans 10:9-13
I pray to God Almighty anyone reading these words would take it to heart and call upon the Lord Jesus Christ (Yeshua the Messiah) and be saved, the true cry of my heart to you, dear reader, whoever you may be.
"For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law."
1 Corinthians 9:19-21
What is Paul's heart? Abolishing the treasured law of God from the chosen people he himself was, or the salvation of the soul of men? It is evident here.
"Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God."
1 Corinthians 7:19
What about when Paul yelled at Peter?
"But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?"
Galatians 2:14
Why was he yelling at him? Because he was racist.
"For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision."
Galatians 2:12
The answer?
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God."
Galatians 2:16-19
Now all the problem passages are easy to understand yes? It's all about Yeshua!
"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."
Galatians 2:21
"So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."
Galatians 3:9-14
It doesn't say we don't keep the law, it says Messiah took the curse of the law for us, and we are saved through faith.
"Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law."
Galatians 3:21
"Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?"
Galatians 4:21
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
Galatians 5:1
Who is he talking too and what is their specific issue?
"Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith."
Galatians 5:2-5
The issue is salvation by works. Paul had Timothy circumcised to help save Jewish souls, clearly the issue is salvation through faith.
"Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek."
Acts 16:3
Did Paul help one of his greatest pupils fall from grace? God forbid.
"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another."
Galatians 5:13-15
We have freedom from the curse of the law, from being under the law for salvation, as a way to better love each other and bring people to Yeshua, not to throw away what is holy and good and just, as Paul describes the law.
"Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace"
Ephesians 2:15
This would be the strongest case against my point, and notice the context of the one new man, the Oneness of Jew and Gentile. Also, what is the emnity, the law or not keeping the law, the curse from sin He died to save us from? Did He die to save us from the law or our sins? Remember the context of the whole counsel of God. In fact, let's look in the same letter Paul writes, to say nothing of the rest of God's Word.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God"
Ephesians 2:8
"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross"
Colossians 2:14
This word in Greek doesn't mean handwriting of ordinances, it is found only once in Scripture and has the idea of a debt owed, so He payed for our debts on the cross. 5498 χειρόγραφον cheirographon
"But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners"
1 Timothy 1:8-9
I don't know about you, but that sounds like me without Him.
"For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law."
Hebrews 7:12
There was a change in the law, it was magnified. Don't look with lust, don't hate in your heart without cause, New Testament commandments were expounding upon old ones.
"For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof."
Hebrews 7:18
How was it dis-annulled? In usage or in purpose? Context!
"For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life."
Hebrews 7:14-16
"For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God."
Hebrews 7:19
"By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament."
Hebrews 7:22
It's about Yeshua, it's always about HIM.
"He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
Hebrews 10:28-31
"But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."
James 1:25
"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."
James 2:10
We're supposed to keep all the commandments we can.
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
James 2:26
Not that we're saved by works, it is by faith we are saved, but a true faith produces works.
With all that being said, let's read the Scriptures Yeshua (Jesus) Himself read.
I'm going to divide the Hebrew Scriptures the way commonly referred to as the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings.
The Hebrew Scriptures
The Law
The first mention of law in the Bible (not counting daughter-in-law of course).
"And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws."
Genesis 26:4-5
"Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no."
Exodus 16:4
"And the Lord said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?"
Exodus 16:28
"And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do."
Exodus 18:20
"Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the Lord your God. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if
a man do, he shall live in them: I am the Lord."
Leviticus 18:4-5
They are for everyone, that includes you, New Testament Christians. Remember this?
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness"
2 Timothy 3:16
"Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that
sojourneth among you"
Leviticus 18:26
"Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the Lord your God."
Leviticus 24:22
"One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the Lord. One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you."
Numbers 15:15-16
(For everyone and forever) The law is eternal, parts of it and all of it.
"O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!"
Deuteronomy 5:29
"Therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway."
Deuteronomy 11:1
"Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between
me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed."
Exodus 31:16-17
"Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations"
Leviticus 10:9
The law is enforced by God.
"A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day"
Deuteronomy 11:27-28
"But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee"
Deuteronomy 28:15
Take special note of this last one..
"And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart"
Deuteronomy 29:18
Don't be this guy.
The Prophets
"And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."
Isaiah 2:3
In the future we will keep the law.
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."
Isaiah 8:20
"The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant."
Isaiah 24:5
"Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles."
Isaiah 42:1
So who is this? Obviously Messiah. He didn't bring forth judgement to the Gentiles the first time around, so in the future what will He do?
"He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law."
Isaiah 42:4
Did you catch that? We're waiting for His law!
"The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable."
Isaiah 42:21
And if you're eating unkosher when Yeshua comes, back, God will kill you!
"For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.For by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many. They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord. For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory."
Isaiah 66:15-18
"The priests said not, Where is the Lord? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me."
Jeremiah 2:8
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah"
Jeremiah 31:31
The New Testament (Covenant) prophesied, which is definitely for us, and applicable to us. The next verse seems to say we don't keep the Old Covenant..
"Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord"
Jeremiah 31:32
However, what does the very next verse say?
"But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people."
Jeremiah 31:33
The New Covenant is not like the Old one, people didn't honor God and the sacrificial system was pointing the way to a New and Better Sacrifice. Then God Himself will put His law in our hearts. To support this view, just look at the verses before and after, about their sin, and forgiveness of said sin. For example:
"If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. Thus saith the Lord; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the Lord."
Jeremiah 31:36-37
"Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her princes are among the Gentiles: the law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the Lord."
Lamentations 2:9
"Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients."
Ezekiel 7:26
Here and in Daniel it even predicts (quite accurately) that we would stop keeping the law, and in a negative light.
"Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them."
Ezekiel 22:26
"And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine
assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths."
Ezekiel 44:24
Here it says again we will keep the law!
Pay attention to the spirit of Anti-Christ, an specifically one of the things he will have in his heart to do.
"And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time."
Daniel 7:25
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children."
Hosea 4:6
The famous verse, and what is it about? Not keeping the law!
"And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."
Micah 4:2
"Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments."
Malachi 4:4
The last book written of the Hebrew Scriptures and it says to remember the law of Moses.
The Writings
"Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest."
Joshua 1:7
"But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin."
2 Kings 10:31
"Yet the Lord testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets."
2 Kings 17:13
"They feared the Lord, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence. Unto this day they do after the former
manners: they fear not the Lord, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the Lord commanded
the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel"
2 Kings 17:33-34
Here we see them worshiping God after their own manner they think is best, not the way He wants to be worshiped.
"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple."
Psalm 19:7
"I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation."
Psalm 119:99
"For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law."
Proverbs 4:2
"They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them."
Proverbs 28:4
Now I don't hassle people about it, usually they hassle me, so this is in response to that and for posterity, for it is written:
"But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain."
Titus 3:9
The reason for all this:
"So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say
unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but
his blood will I require at thine hand.Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his
iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul."
Ezekiel 33:7-9
"And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully... Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all
things.Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
2 Timothy 5,7, 15
" The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. "
Numbers 6:24-26
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aramaic-english.scripturetext.com/john/1.htm
Mosaic Law Advocation
All quotations are from the KJV. The term "Legalism" or "Judaizer" is not found in Scripture. So what is the problem exactly? The Law, or more specifically, the keeping of it. There are many, many scriptures I wanted to include, but I didn't want to burden anyone excessively and I don't want to be accused of elephant hurling. If I miss any verses I am happy to go over them, I am not infallible, only God and His Word are, I am doing the best I can with what I have. I think the God is the best interpreter of Scripture, so I would like really to let the Ruach Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit) speak for Himself. Two very important verses come to mind before we begin our study.
"And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?"
Mark 12:24
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."
Acts 17:11
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness"
2 Timothy 3:16
This was when there WAS no New Testament, so this is speaking of the Old Testament! So what is an example of something that could be profitable for us to do?
"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law."
Nehemiah 8:8-9
They wept when they heard they hadn't been keeping the law, in that Spirit let us turn our hearts toward God and His ways.
B'rit Chadeshah
The New Covenant, I won't be dividing because I am assuming to some degree most Christians are familiar with the difference between the Gospels, Acts (Luke part 2), The Epistles and Revelation. Still, hear the words of the Lord Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach). Is there anything more important in this life (and the next) then to listen to Yeshua? Remember when you first came to Christ, how in love you were the His Words, with Him.
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil"
Matthew 5:17
So to say Yeshua means fulfil in the sense of not having to keep the law, destroys the sense of the passage itself, and the context of the following passages. In Greek the word fufil indicates to fully preach "(Strong's concordance) 4137 πληρόω plēroō to fulfil, i.e. to cause God's will (as made known in the law) to be obeyed as it should be, and God's promises (given through the prophets) to receive fulfilment"
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."
Matthew 5:18
Not just the ten commandments, those are referred to in the Bible as 1. The ten commandments 2. The words of the covenant (cf. Exodus 34:28) 3. His covenant (cf. Deuteronomy 4:13) 4. The first writing (cf. ibid 10:4) never as the law.
"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5:19-20
The law are commandments, but that only strengthens the case, for where is this done? What is the greatest commandment? It is not one of the 10.
"Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
Matthew 22:36-40
Now there is an instance where the ten commandments are called commandments by our Lord, but this doesn't negate the other evidence we have seen, and in fact he uses the opportunity to tell him to do more than just the ten commandments.
"If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."
Matthew 19:17-21
He says keep the commandments, and names commandments not in the ten commandments, again and in a different place...
"And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these."
Mark 12:28-31
It is not the only place He says to do keep the law of Moses (God's law).
"Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not."
Matthew 23:2-3
Multiple commentaries (which are not in favor of keeping all of Mosaic law) say that he was not advocating Talmudic ordinances, which would be a contradiction to his ministry as a whole, but that when it says "they sit in the seat of Moses" means when they tell you to keep the law of Moses.
To put it simply, Jesus says: Whenever they (the scribes) tell you to do something Moses said to do, do that.
It is possible to keep to the best of your ability.
"And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless."
Luke 1:6
What does Yeshua say? Remember, Yeshua is the God of the Hebrew Scriptures as well.
"If ye love me, keep my commandments."
John 14:15
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
John 15:10
What is sin?
"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."
1 John 3:4
"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."
1 John 5:2-3
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."
Revelation 14:12
"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
Revelation 22:14
Now you have to keep in mind all the other things we've read, that the Word of God cannot be with contradiction, for it is perfect and unerring, but reflect
on the whole counsel of God.
"Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment"
Acts 15:24
Sounds like what I'm doing right? What is the context of this argument?
"And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved."
Acts 15:1
The issue is not of commandment keeping per se but of soteriology, that is, how are men saved. Not by works but by faith in Messiah,
"...purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they."
Acts 15:9-11
What would make the Council of Jerusalem make such a landmark decision to not need to keep God's law?
"Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day."
Acts 15:18-21
They said just make sure they do these certain things right now, and why? For (because) They assumed they would hear the rest of the Bible in Church later, and would work their way up to it. Otherwise what does this passage mean?
"And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also
walkest orderly, and keepest the law."
Acts 21:20-24
Paul himself kept the law, he didn't force the law on the Goyim the same reason I don't, the most important thing is their salvation, if they can do the other stuff, great, if not, at least they are saved.
"While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all."
Acts 25:8
What about Paul's letters? Let's look through them. Keeping in mind what Peter said...
"Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction."
2 Peter 3:14-16
"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
Romans 3:19-20
The issue isn't keeping the law, the whole letter to the Romans is how is a man saved, through works or by faith? It is evident from the letter itself after a casual reading and the great scholars of history will attest to it, as well as your own eyes.
"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."
Romans 3:28
What does Paul think of the law, not for salvation then?
"Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law."
Romans 3:31
"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."
Romans 6:14
So we're not under Old Testament law right? Remember context, for salvation. Proof? The very next part EVERYONE forgets to mention...
"What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid."
Romans 6:14
"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God."
Romans 7:4
Here seems like a clear passage. What does the rest of the chapter say?
"But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." Romans 7:6
Again for salvation (and actually to better help us keep the law), remember the point of the whole letter. An example of newness in spirit is "Thou shalt not commit adultery" but now you don't even lust
in your heart, or look at a woman. The Old is still there, the New reinforces it. Or from not killing to not hating, it doesn't mean to hate but it's ok to kill. Paul makes an example of "not muzzling the oxen while he treads the grain", then uses it to infer paying the preacher. Does that make it ok not to feed your animals?
"What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid."
Romans 7:7
"Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good."
Romans 7:12
"For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin."
Romans 7:14
"If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good."
Romans 7:16
"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."
Romans 7:22-25
Here it is important to notice which law he is talking about, evil law or God's law, and for what purpose, he is saved from the law so he is saved, not so he
doesn't have to keep it.I think you get the general idea by now, try reading the passage through Jewish/Christian eyes, the Hebraic perspective the writer had (and is lol) and his
readers would have gotten from it.
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
Romans 8:2-4
Why has it been so different for so long? Maybe a clue in the same chapter?
"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."
Romans 8:7
"But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."
Romans 9:31-33
The long and the short of the whole matter.
"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them."
Romans 10:1-5
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Romans 10:9-13
I pray to God Almighty anyone reading these words would take it to heart and call upon the Lord Jesus Christ (Yeshua the Messiah) and be saved, the true cry of my heart to you, dear reader, whoever you may be.
"For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law."
1 Corinthians 9:19-21
What is Paul's heart? Abolishing the treasured law of God from the chosen people he himself was, or the salvation of the soul of men? It is evident here.
"Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God."
1 Corinthians 7:19
What about when Paul yelled at Peter?
"But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?"
Galatians 2:14
Why was he yelling at him? Because he was racist.
"For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision."
Galatians 2:12
The answer?
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God."
Galatians 2:16-19
Now all the problem passages are easy to understand yes? It's all about Yeshua!
"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."
Galatians 2:21
"So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."
Galatians 3:9-14
It doesn't say we don't keep the law, it says Messiah took the curse of the law for us, and we are saved through faith.
"Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law."
Galatians 3:21
"Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?"
Galatians 4:21
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
Galatians 5:1
Who is he talking too and what is their specific issue?
"Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith."
Galatians 5:2-5
The issue is salvation by works. Paul had Timothy circumcised to help save Jewish souls, clearly the issue is salvation through faith.
"Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek."
Acts 16:3
Did Paul help one of his greatest pupils fall from grace? God forbid.
"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another."
Galatians 5:13-15
We have freedom from the curse of the law, from being under the law for salvation, as a way to better love each other and bring people to Yeshua, not to throw away what is holy and good and just, as Paul describes the law.
"Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace"
Ephesians 2:15
This would be the strongest case against my point, and notice the context of the one new man, the Oneness of Jew and Gentile. Also, what is the emnity, the law or not keeping the law, the curse from sin He died to save us from? Did He die to save us from the law or our sins? Remember the context of the whole counsel of God. In fact, let's look in the same letter Paul writes, to say nothing of the rest of God's Word.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God"
Ephesians 2:8
"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross"
Colossians 2:14
This word in Greek doesn't mean handwriting of ordinances, it is found only once in Scripture and has the idea of a debt owed, so He payed for our debts on the cross. 5498 χειρόγραφον cheirographon
"But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners"
1 Timothy 1:8-9
I don't know about you, but that sounds like me without Him.
"For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law."
Hebrews 7:12
There was a change in the law, it was magnified. Don't look with lust, don't hate in your heart without cause, New Testament commandments were expounding upon old ones.
"For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof."
Hebrews 7:18
How was it dis-annulled? In usage or in purpose? Context!
"For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life."
Hebrews 7:14-16
"For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God."
Hebrews 7:19
"By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament."
Hebrews 7:22
It's about Yeshua, it's always about HIM.
"He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
Hebrews 10:28-31
"But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."
James 1:25
"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."
James 2:10
We're supposed to keep all the commandments we can.
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
James 2:26
Not that we're saved by works, it is by faith we are saved, but a true faith produces works.
With all that being said, let's read the Scriptures Yeshua (Jesus) Himself read.
I'm going to divide the Hebrew Scriptures the way commonly referred to as the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings.
The Hebrew Scriptures
The Law
The first mention of law in the Bible (not counting daughter-in-law of course).
"And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws."
Genesis 26:4-5
"Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no."
Exodus 16:4
"And the Lord said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?"
Exodus 16:28
"And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do."
Exodus 18:20
"Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the Lord your God. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if
a man do, he shall live in them: I am the Lord."
Leviticus 18:4-5
They are for everyone, that includes you, New Testament Christians. Remember this?
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness"
2 Timothy 3:16
"Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that
sojourneth among you"
Leviticus 18:26
"Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the Lord your God."
Leviticus 24:22
"One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the Lord. One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you."
Numbers 15:15-16
(For everyone and forever) The law is eternal, parts of it and all of it.
"O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!"
Deuteronomy 5:29
"Therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway."
Deuteronomy 11:1
"Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between
me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed."
Exodus 31:16-17
"Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations"
Leviticus 10:9
The law is enforced by God.
"A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day"
Deuteronomy 11:27-28
"But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee"
Deuteronomy 28:15
Take special note of this last one..
"And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart"
Deuteronomy 29:18
Don't be this guy.
The Prophets
"And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."
Isaiah 2:3
In the future we will keep the law.
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."
Isaiah 8:20
"The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant."
Isaiah 24:5
"Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles."
Isaiah 42:1
So who is this? Obviously Messiah. He didn't bring forth judgement to the Gentiles the first time around, so in the future what will He do?
"He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law."
Isaiah 42:4
Did you catch that? We're waiting for His law!
"The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable."
Isaiah 42:21
And if you're eating unkosher when Yeshua comes, back, God will kill you!
"For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.For by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many. They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord. For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory."
Isaiah 66:15-18
"The priests said not, Where is the Lord? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me."
Jeremiah 2:8
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah"
Jeremiah 31:31
The New Testament (Covenant) prophesied, which is definitely for us, and applicable to us. The next verse seems to say we don't keep the Old Covenant..
"Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord"
Jeremiah 31:32
However, what does the very next verse say?
"But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people."
Jeremiah 31:33
The New Covenant is not like the Old one, people didn't honor God and the sacrificial system was pointing the way to a New and Better Sacrifice. Then God Himself will put His law in our hearts. To support this view, just look at the verses before and after, about their sin, and forgiveness of said sin. For example:
"If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. Thus saith the Lord; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the Lord."
Jeremiah 31:36-37
"Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her princes are among the Gentiles: the law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the Lord."
Lamentations 2:9
"Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients."
Ezekiel 7:26
Here and in Daniel it even predicts (quite accurately) that we would stop keeping the law, and in a negative light.
"Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them."
Ezekiel 22:26
"And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine
assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths."
Ezekiel 44:24
Here it says again we will keep the law!
Pay attention to the spirit of Anti-Christ, an specifically one of the things he will have in his heart to do.
"And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time."
Daniel 7:25
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children."
Hosea 4:6
The famous verse, and what is it about? Not keeping the law!
"And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."
Micah 4:2
"Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments."
Malachi 4:4
The last book written of the Hebrew Scriptures and it says to remember the law of Moses.
The Writings
"Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest."
Joshua 1:7
"But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin."
2 Kings 10:31
"Yet the Lord testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets."
2 Kings 17:13
"They feared the Lord, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence. Unto this day they do after the former
manners: they fear not the Lord, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the Lord commanded
the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel"
2 Kings 17:33-34
Here we see them worshiping God after their own manner they think is best, not the way He wants to be worshiped.
"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple."
Psalm 19:7
"I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation."
Psalm 119:99
"For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law."
Proverbs 4:2
"They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them."
Proverbs 28:4
Now I don't hassle people about it, usually they hassle me, so this is in response to that and for posterity, for it is written:
"But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain."
Titus 3:9
The reason for all this:
"So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say
unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but
his blood will I require at thine hand.Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his
iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul."
Ezekiel 33:7-9
"And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully... Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all
things.Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
2 Timothy 5,7, 15
" The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. "
Numbers 6:24-26
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