Galatians ch 5

[alon]

[This is entirely the results of my studies. The object of studying how someone else does an in depth study is to be able to do the same yourself; and I hope nothing here is false or ambiguous. Galatians is a tough study, and one that many ministers are averse to tackle. When they do it is usually just a few cherry-picked verses which they then expound Christian dogma on. So it was no small task to do this. But it is a very rewarding thing, as many times the insights of both others I read and those revealed to me were profoundly moving. Take your time and test what I say. I hope this is rewarding for you to read as well.]

Galatians ch 5

We must remember that this epistle is directed to the new Gentile converts of Galatia. Being new in the faith, they were being told they must become fully observant Jews before they could be acceptable to El Elohe Yisra’el- God, the God of Israel.

Galatians 5:1 (ESV) For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

The freedom for which Yeshua HaMoshiach has freed us is the main topic of this chapter. The freedom we have in keeping the mitzvoth is an easy yoke to bear, because in His Elohim has laid out His instructions for a happy, healthy life in Him.

Matthew 11:29-30 (ESV) Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

James 3:17 (KJV) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

It only becomes a burden when legalism takes hold and we forget by whom our salvation was bought.

"Liberty"  G1657 ἐλευθερία eleutheria Thayer Definition: to do or to omit things having no relationship to salvation; fancied liberty; licence, the liberty to do as one pleases; true liberty is living as we should, not as we please

The idea that Paul is teaching liberty means freedom from is common in churches and even in some Messianic circles today. Rav Sha’ul never taught that!

Rom 7:12 (KJV) Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

James 1:25 (ESV) But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

gives us rules instructing us in what is right and wrong and how to tell the difference. These laws, if obeyed from the heart, are what makes liberty work. It is the liberty from the yoke of sin, not the liberty to sin and get away with it.

Galatians 5:2-3 (ESV) Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.

This speaks to those who accept circumcision as part of the law saying it must be done in order to be saved. Thus the focus is shifted away from obedience to please HaShem and onto our own attempts to earn our salvation. This places us before G-d and, if it could be done, would nullify the work of the Cross. It also is indicative of a lack of trust, since it says His grace is insufficient. The view here is that the law as one entity made up of the sum of its parts. The law is in effect “ecahd,” a composite unity. That is why if we try to achieve justification through the law we are obligated to keep the whole law; for to break one part, you transgress the whole thing. This is why later we see:

Galatians 5:14 (ESV) For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

All the commandments are here combined to make one law. Rav Sha’ul is quoting from Leviticus 19:18 "You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord."

Love is at the heart of all the commandments. If we love HaShem then we want to please Him. This we do by reading and obeying ; looking for the things He desires and likes and eschewing all others.

This is also true of our neighbors, meaning our fellow Meshiachim.

Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV) And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

These verses echo a teaching in the Talmud:

On another occasion it happened that a certain heathen came before Shammai and said to him, 'Make me a proselyte, on condition that you teach me the whole while I stand on one foot.' Thereupon he repulsed him with the builder's cubit which was in his hand. When he went before Hillel, he said to him, 'What is hateful to you, do not to your neighbour: that is the whole , while the rest is the commentary thereof; go and learn it.' Babalonian Talmud: Shabbat 31a

Galatians 5:4 (ESV) You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified [Or counted righteous] by the law; you have fallen away from grace.

Rav Sha’ul here addresses the legalists. According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary, “Justification is primarily and gratuitously by faith, subsequently and evidentially by works.” “You who would be justified by the law” can refer to Mosaic Law or any other law. Keeping any set of rules the best you can will not justify you before HaShem. His standard is justification in and through Yeshua alone. “You have fallen away from grace” means you cannot be justified by grace since you chose to be justified by another set of rules.

Galatians 5:5-6 (ESV) For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

Our true righteousness can be shown through the work of the Ruach in us, and in no other way. We must wait on the L-rd.

Psalm 37:34 (KJV) Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

“Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything” so far as salvation through trusting Yeshua is concerned.

1 Corinthians 7:19 (ESV) For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.

What matters is our faithful trust in Yeshua, which is then expressed in good actions done from a loving heart. "Keeping the commandments of God." Throughout the Bible love refers not to mere feelings, but to those feelings manifest as works done in love. Our greatest example:

Romans 5:8 (ESV) but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Another example from the TNK: Deuteronomy 6:5 (ESV) You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Note we must do something: love! Love as an all consuming thing that will sacrifice all else to gain the approval of YHVH. Even the last word emphasizes this point:

“Might” H3966 מְאֹד me'ôd meh-ode' properly vehemence, that is, (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or superlative; especially when repeated): - diligently, especially, exceeding (-ly), far, fast, good, great (-ly), X louder and louder, might (-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very (+ much, sore), well.

Love can only be known in actions it inspires. Again:

Romans 5:8 (ESV) but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

[alon]

Galatians 5:7-9 (ESV)  You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?  This persuasion is not from him who calls you.  A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

Running the race is a Hebrew idiom for pious living to gain the Olam Haba. Another idiomatic term familiar to Jews from Passover, but also to others is chametz, or leaven. As used here it could stand for sin, heresies or ungodly men. If the Galatians allow these heresies into their congregation it would spread throughout them like leaven in dough. Rav Sha’ul had taught them the truth, and they had understood it. Then someone came preaching a new besorah; a new gospel. These men were Jews, and so had some authority and a greater knowledge of scripture, which at that time was the TNK. To these new converts the arguments of the Judaizers must have sounded convincing.

This is another warning for us today. Many come to us with false teachings and heresies, but they have convincing arguments. Many are true intellectuals. But their teachings are those of hell itself. Wait on the L-rd; test the spirits. Do not fall for their shpeil too quickly.

Galatians 5:10 (ESV) I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.

Rav Sha’ul may have been speaking more hopefully than confidently here. Experience shows that once a person leaves the Messianic faith for one of the legalistic heresies that plague our movement, they seldom return. Orthodox Judaism, paganism and any number of cults draw people away. The Ebionites would by the end of the first century CE break away from the Nots’rim, the first century believers which included all the apostles, because Ebionism taught against the deity of Yeshua. By the end of the first century the catholic (universal) church was in its embryonic stage. All of Judaism was becoming more legalistic as their leaders solidified their hold on their congregants. Against all this the Nots’rim preached a doctrine of salvation by grace through faith, and works only as a result of that salvation.

Galatians 5:11 (ESV) But if I, brothers, still preach [proclaim] circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. [Some manuscripts/translations the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished or ceased].

Sha’ul here clearly says he is still preaching circumcision, which could be viewed as either the act itself or the in which it is commanded. Both views are correct, because remember all parts are equal to the whole (vs 3).

However he specifically meant 'if I still preach circumcision for salvation.'

“Preach” G2784 κηρύσσω kērussō kay-roos'-so to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel): - preach (-er), proclaim, publish.

The same word isused here as for for preaching of the gospel, or “divine truth.” The implication is that Sha’ul does not preach circumcision as part of the gospel for salvation. Rav Sha’ul was being targeted by a group of overzealous Jews of the type in Matthew 23:15 who “travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.” These were an outgrowth of the times, where sects emerged whose regulations and fences were so strict few could even try to keep them. Many were segregated sects such as at Masada and Qumran. Now these zealots were trying to proselytize these new converts to Messianism. This still happens today, and is a scourge on our faith; and one we should be ever mindful of.

"Offense" G4625 σκάνδαλον skandalon skan'-dal-on A scandal; probably from a derivative of G2578; a trap stick (bent sapling), that is, snare (figuratively cause of displeasure or sin): - occasion to fall (of stumbling), offence, thing that offends, stumbling-block.

This is where our word scandal comes from. Scandals cause people to fall from their position, place or status; or they might prevent someone from reaching their intended position in the first place.

1 Corinthians 1:22-24 (ESV) For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

The Cross became a stumbling block for the Jews of the first century CE because many were starting to believe in doctrines of good works to attain salvation. Nots’rim doctrine left no room for earning any part of your salvation. Circumcision and observance have no place in redemption, only in obedience. There is an erronious type of security in believing we can earn salvation. Then we do not have to trust HaShem for something so important.

Had Rav Sha’ul proclaimed Yeshua as HaMoshiach and that Gentiles coming to believe in Him had to become fully observant Jews before they were acceptable to HaSham, there would have been no problem with most Jews of the time. However the claim they were acceptable merely on trusting Him was unacceptable! It was Sha’ul’s insistence that trust alone was necessary for adoption that caused these Jews to persecute him.

The Greek was more intellectual. To him it was foolishness to think a god would offer his son as a sacrifice for them. Men gave their lives for the gods, they sacrificed their children to the gods; the gods would never offer their children for us! The Nots’rim had it all backwards!

Redemption not of works or self-earned merit is a stumbling block to the carnal mind, whether Jew or Greek, because it is not the way humans see things. It is the way of the One true G-d, YHVH Elohe Yeshuathi- Lord God of My Salvation; and only Adonai can redeem us through the sacrifice of ha Ben (the Son) and the work of the Ruach HaKodesh (His Holy Spirit). The ways of HaShem cannot be understood by mere man; we must simply accept them in faith, trusting in Him to do the work in us. When we are ready and the Ruach quickens our heart, the truth will be revealed to us.

Galatians 5:12 (ESV) I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

Here the good Rav gives in to a bit of a sarcastic nature. There was a pagan practice of the time of self-emasculation. Some of the church fathers took his ‘advice’ and did this not much later. This practice however rendered one ineligible for participation in the Jewish religious community.

Deuteronomy 23:1 (ESV) “No one whose testicles are crushed or whose male organ is cut off shall enter the assembly of the Lord.

Galatians 5:13 (ESV) For you were called to freedom [liberty], brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

This is a warning against antinomianism, the teaching that is done away with, and turning freedom into license. Due to erroneous teachings of the concept of liberty, contemporary congregations for the most part use liberty as license to sin. Liberty is taught as meaning has no place for the believer. The outcome of this is invariably dissention, anarchy and rebellion in the congregation. For example, you’d be hard pressed to find a church that doesn’t have crucifix or a cross displayed at the alter.

Exodus 20:4-5 (ESV) “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,

Deuteronomy 16:22 (ESV) And you shall not set up a [sacred] pillar, which the Lord your God hates.

As a symbol, the cross is not necessarily bad. But when people bend their knee to it thinking their prayers will be better heard if looking at a representation of their god, it is an abomination to G-d. This is the sin of the golden calf. The Hebrews did not think that calf had led them out of Egypt; they knew better. But since Moshe had not returned they had lost their direct conduit to Elohim. So they made an idol as they had learned in Egypt and worshiped before it, thinking because of it their prayers would be heard. The crucifix is an abomination because it not only has the form of a man on it, that man is Yeshua, suffering at the absolute lowest time of His life!

I’ve heard many Christians, including pastors and others in authority argue that whatever they do to worship is OK because “G-d knows the heart.” I agree; He knows the heart better than the one making that argument!These people think any way they want to worship is all right with G-d because He gave them liberty. But the heart of an individual who thinks he can ignore and worship G-d any way he wants is anarchy and rebellion. HaShem never gave us liberty to transgress His will, to disobey His instruction- His .

[alon]

The rest of this chapter deals primarily with how we are to live together as a community.

Galatians 5:15 (ESV) But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

This affirms that Sha’ul is talking to one specific group of people, the Nots’rim sect of the Jews. Backbiting, lashon hara and factualism will destroy a congregation. It is a major threat to the Nots’rim community.

“Bite” G1143 δάκνω daknō dak'-no A prolonged form of a primary root; to bite, that is, (figuratively) thwart: - bite.

This term is primarily used of animals, snakes in particular. It is then followed by:

“Devour” G2719 κατεσθίω katesthiō kat-es-thee'-o Thayer Definition: to consume by eating, to eat up, devour. Metaphorically: to devour, i.e. squander, waste; forcibly appropriate; to strip one of his goods; to ruin (by the infliction of injuries); by fire, to devour, i.e. to utterly consume, destroy; of the consumption of the strength of body and mind by strong emotions

These words paint a very graphic picture. If we bite and consume our own like beasts, what then separates us from the pagans? However if we learn to walk in the Spirit, these behaviors have no foothold in our lives. Elohe Chaseddi- The God of My Mercy graciously gave detailed instructions concerning His will in the Book of Instructions- .

Galatians 5:16-18 (ESV) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Whenever you see the word “flesh,” in Hebrew this is “the evil inclination.” Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines this word as: σάρξ “sarx” the sensuous nature of man, “the animal nature;” the animal nature with cravings which incite to sin; the flesh, denotes mere human nature, the earthly nature of man apart from divine influence, and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God.

To be under the law is to be in an unsaved state. And since telling G-d you can earn salvation on your own places a person in rebellion and therefore in an unsaved state, the legalists are unsaved. However, those dependent on the Ruach to lead them into righteousness, these are saved.

Elsewhere in the bible "flesh" is referred to as the carnal mind:

Rom 8:7 (KJV) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

This refers to a state of mind; our habitual thoughts, desires; the things we focus on. The carnal mind is not a passive state into which we were born. It is the state we choose to be in- an active state of mind.

“Enmity” G2189 ἔχθρα echthra hostility; by implication a reason for opposition: - enmity, hatred. This is an active state; a mind purposefully and intentionally in opposition and rebellion, even hatred to and of the mind of HaShem. This mind seeks to please self, not Elohim.

Romans 8:7 (ESV) For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.

Proverbs 8:20 (KJV) I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:

A person who’d been on staff at Wycliffe once tried to argue with me that a saved person cannot sin because they are already forgiven before they commit any transgression. This is because of Christian doctrine which taches we are free of , the instructions of HaShem. The true meaning of verse 18 is we should not be fulfilling the mitzvoth for any other reason other than to please HaShem. And this occurs only when led of the Ruach. We should still keep , but for the right reasons.

Galatians 5:19-21 (ESV) Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, [Some manuscripts add murder], drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Far too many so called “believers” do not take these verses seriously. They think they can continue in their sins and not be held accountable. They are “free”- they got “grace.” But this is a perversion of the scriptures. Without works of the flesh control our thoughts and lives.

Adultery- we have entered into a vow, or covenant with G-d. We have in fact entered into what the Bible systematically refers to as a marital relationship. When we worship anything or anyone other than Adonai we have have therefore committed adultery.

Jeremiah 3:9 (ESV) Because she took her whoredom lightly, she polluted the land, committing adultery with stone and tree.

Uncleanness- G167 ἀκαθαρσία akatharsia Thayer Definition: uncleanness; physical; in a moral sense, the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living; of impure motives

So this speaks to our motivation. Worship done for the wrong reasons could very well be unclean and therefore unacceptable before Adonai. And this directly contradicts those who argue that since G-d knows their heart they can do as they please.

Isaiah 1:14 (KJV) Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.

Adonai Himself had commanded the Hebrews to keep those appointed times. It was not the moedim, the “feasts” He hated; He hated the way they were keeping them. He hates it when people keep even His mitzvoth with anything but a sincere heart. The way they were keeping these times was a form of infidelity; a type of adultery. Rav Sha’ul was clear in stating those who willfully sin like this have no part in the Olam Haba.

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

This speaks of a joy which springs from deep inside us:

Isaiah 12:3 (KJV) Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

These waters of the wells of salvation can only come from within when we have the Ruach residing in us. However since Elohim cannot countenance sin we only have this when our minds are on Him, not on our own lusts and desires.

Romans 13:13-14 (ESV) Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

The fruits of the Spirit are natural outgrowths of trusting HaShem. Doing the mitzvoth builds a relationship and trust. To “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” means clothe oneself in the Messiah as you’d put on clothing. This covering provides for modesty, but also protects us from the elements of the world. Messian protects us from evil desires, but this but this doesn’t just happen. We must first do something; we must clothe ourselves in the mind of the Ruach, building this close relationship which leads to trust in El Shimchat Gili- God My Exceeding Joy.

“Against such things there is no law.” The will and attitude of one who through the power of the Ruach has the mind of Elohim will fall in line with the will of HaShem.

James 4:3 (KJV) Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

When our attitude is right, completely fulfilled. Then will Adonai hear our prayers, and our lives will be fulfilled in Him.

Galatians 5:24 (ESV) And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Again we see “yetzer hara”- the evil inclination; the flesh. To crucify the yetzer hara is to realize Messiah paid the ultimate price to remove sins grip on our lives. We need to avail ourselves of the power which is freely ours through His sacrifice. Anything less is to deny His salvation. Those who have chosen to try and justify themselves by the law, like those who live in the lusts of the flesh have no room in their lives for Yeshua HaMoshiach or His Ruach.

Galatians 5:25-26 (ESV) If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

We close the chapter by contrasting the fruit of the Spirit (vs 22-23) with the fruits of legalism (vs 19-21).

[alon]

I will close with an interesting piece from the Babalonian Talmud, Pirke Avot 6:6. This may be what Rav Sha’ul based his d’rash on the fruits of the Spirit on, though his is a (thankfully) much abbreviated version:

Greater is the than priesthood or royalty, for royalty is attained through thirty qualifications and the priesthood through twenty-four; but the is attainable through forty-eight, to wit: 

1.by audible study,
2.by distinct pronunciation,
3.by understanding,
4.by discernment of the heart,
5.by awe,
6.by reverence,
7.by meekness,
8.by cheerfulness,
9.by ministering to the sages,
10.by attaching oneself to colleagues,
11.by discussion with disciples,
12.by sedateness,
13.by knowledge of the Scripture,
14.by knowledge of the Mishnah,
15.by minimizing business,
16.by minimizing worldly interests,
17.by minimizing indulgence,
18.by minimizing sleep,
19.by minimizing conversation,
20.by minimizing jesting,
21.by patience,
22.by a good heart,
23.by faith in the sages,
24.by resignation under affliction,
25.by knowing one's place,
26.by rejoicing in one's lot,
27.by setting a limit to one's words,
28.by not claiming merit for oneself,
29.by being one that is beloved,
30.by loving God,
31.by loving one's fellow- men,
32.by loving the ways of justice,
33.by loving rectitude,
34.by loving reproof,
35.by keeping oneself far from the pursuit of honor,
36.by not being arrogant in learning,
37.by not delighting to lay down legal decisions,
38.by bearing the yoke with one's fellow student,
39.by judging him favorably,
40.by leading him to truth and peace,
41.by being composed in one's study,
42.by questioning and answering,
43.by hearing and adding to what one hears,
44.by learning in order to teach,
45.by learning in order to practice,
46.by making one's master wiser,
47.by fixing attention upon his discourse, and
48.by reporting a thing in the name of him who said it. 

So thou hast learned, that whosoever repeats a saying in the name of its author brings salvation to the world, as it is implied in Scripture: “And Esther told the king in the name of Mordecai.” (Esther 2:22 )

Dan C

Resources: NASB Study Bible, W Wiersby, Stern NT Commentary, Vine’s Expository Dictionary, Strong’s, Thayer’s Bible Dictionary, “Galatians” by Salter, Meyer, Unger, JPS Study TNK, Babylonian Talmud, my father, Rabbi Stanley and others.

[And I have a newfound respect for Rav S and others who search out the truths in scripture, sorting out false doctrine and putting together an in-depth treatise on scripture.]

[Elizabeth]

Thanks for sharing. I believe it was you, Alon, that originally taught me the Hebrew idea of sin is missing the mark. This seems to be exactly what Paul was trying to sort out with new believers. Is how you keep hitting the mark?

This kind of pulled things together for me a bit I think. I don't know exactly but I think I see the narrow gate Yeshua was referring to a bit more clearly. G-d gives to us constantly, and it's holy and perfect, but we are so naturally selfish that it is corrupted to serve the wrong purpose. He gave us to draw us near to Him and show the world to Him, but in our imperfect state our motivation in keeping it becomes easily self-focused, missing the mark. How tricky is what He has to do with us; Give without it going to our heads. Now He has to help us learn and sort out what to do with what He gave. It's mind boggeling how precarious our situations are and how delicate G-d has to be with us.

It always brings me back to Yeshua who overcame the definitive example of sin by overcoming the inclination for self-preservation and self-promotion. Now I am sitting here begging Him to promote Himself. Thanks be to Him, that He knows what I am asking for because I really can't understand it. Who of us could withstand G-d and His holy perfect world? We have to be able to handle what G-d gives, and we have repeatedly shown we can't.

 Yeshua is making His own perfect in heart and mind to withstand the exact thing we pray for knowing without Him, we can't. He gave Himself in body and spirit to secure us, not from sin, but from Himself. That's the part I didn't really get till I paid attention to . It's Yeshua who protects us and yet its Yeshua who we ultimately need protection from. Just helps me keep life in perspective. We ask for perfection, need perfection,  but we can't handle it. I really think that's what life is about.

What a fine line G-d walks with us; absolutely amazing.