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Then Samuel said, “Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as he does in obedience? Certainly, obedience is better than sacrifice; paying attention is better than the fat of rams.
1 Samuel 15:22
During my small-group this week, an interesting discussion cropped up that ultimately led to applicability of “the Law” in our present age. The conversation began with our leader pointing out that there were a number of Messianic Jews, that is Jews who believe that Yeshua / Jesus is the Messiah, who were well aware of Messianic communities like our in the area, but who had no interest because “they felt they didn’t need it.” This feeling was predicated on their attendance of IHOP (International House of Prayer) in the Kansas City Metro area.
One of our members asked why would it matter, and if I’m honest, the question surprised me greatly. I answered that it mattered because, at a minimum, it spoke to the observance of the Sabbath – an answer that I believe surprised the other member as much as their question had surprised me.
The discussion continued and took on an increasing focus on “the Law” or Torah and illuminated a number of misgivings people have on the issue. This speaks to the heart of an issue that is fundamental to our faith and how we perceive the character of God Himself.
I was reminded of my own awakening to the issue of Torah – no one could have led me to this. It was the product of the direct, divine intervention of the living God and I knew in that moment that no amount of intellectual discourse or academic exposition would bring about some immediate change – a seed is planted, after which it will root and grow, or it won’t.
In that spirit, I want to ask a question…
Then God said all these words:
א “I am Adonai your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the abode of slavery.
ב “You are to have no other gods before me. You are not to make for yourselves a carved image or any kind of representation of anything in heaven above, on the earth beneath or in the water below the shoreline. You are not to bow down to them or serve them; for I, Adonai your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sins of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but displaying grace to the thousandth generation of those who love me and obey my mitzvot.
ג “You are not to use lightly the name of Adonai your God, because Adonai will not leave unpunished someone who uses his name lightly.
ד “Remember the day, Shabbat, to set it apart for God. You have six days to labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Shabbat for Adonai your God. On it, you are not to do any kind of work — not you, your son or your daughter, not your male or female slave, not your livestock, and not the foreigner staying with you inside the gates to your property. For in six days, Adonai made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. This is why Adonai blessed the day, Shabbat, and separated it for himself.
ה “Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land which Adonai your God is giving you.
ו “Do not murder.
ז “Do not commit adultery.
ח “Do not steal.
ט “Do not give false evidence against your neighbor.
י “Do not covet your neighbor’s house; do not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female slave, his ox, his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Exodus 20:1 – 17 (CJB)
Now my questions;
- Exactly which of these has been abolished, annulled or otherwise done away with?
- Where in scripture can I locate a definitive abolition, annulment or change regarding these?
- By what or whose authority were / are they abolished, annulled or changed?
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish these things but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter will pass from the law until everything takes place. So anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever obeys them and teaches others to do so will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the experts in the law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven!
Matthew 5:17 – 20
Yeshua made it clear that in now way shape or form did He come to abolish or annul the Law, but to bring it to fullness – how we equate that to mean that everything God calls righteous, holy, just and good would change is completely beyond me. This, from an unchanging God?
Undoubtedly, those in opposition to my theology would point to the writings of Paul as a refutation of the principle implicit in my argument – but how often do such persons quote any of the following passages?:
For all who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous before God, but those who do the law will be declared righteous. For whenever the Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature the things required by the law, these who do not have the law are a law to themselves. They show that the work of the law is written in their hearts, as their conscience bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or else defend them, on the day when God will judge the secrets of human hearts, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus.
Romans 2:12 – 16
Or is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not the God of the Gentiles too? Yes, of the Gentiles too! Since God is one, he will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Do we then nullify the law through faith? Absolutely not! Instead we uphold the law.
Romans 3:29 – 31
So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.
Romans 7:12
I could go on, but I’ve no desire to belabor the point – research for yourself.
What I’m asking you to consider is that the standard has not changed. Those who promote observing the Torah do so , not as a means of salvation, but because of salvation – seeking to become imitators of the Messiah who observed and obeyed the commandments perfectly.
“Since, I, the Lord, do not go back on my promises, you, sons of Jacob, have not perished. From the days of your ancestors you have ignored my commandments and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
Malachi 3:6 – 7
I believe this call is going out even now among the Ekklesia.
As a final thought, consider the following quotation:
Then I saw a large white throne and the one who was seated on it; the earth and the heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. Then books were opened, and another book was opened—the book of life. So the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds.
Revelation 20:11 – 12
By what standard will said deeds be judged?
שלום עליכם – Shalom Aleichem – Peace Be Upon You