Musing – Why Don’t We Christians Follow All of the Mosaic Law?

Hebraic Musing – Why Don’t We Christians Follow All of the Mosaic Law?

Athol Dickson in “The Gospel According to Moses” proposes five reasons – rather interesting perspectives.*

First, some of the commandments are from the Oral Torah, not necessarily from the written Torah. Thus, Christians do not believe that the oral traditions in the Talmud necessarily came from God.

Second, both Jews and Christians do not observe many of the Torah’s commandments because to do so relies on the existence of a Temple in Jerusalem.  Since AD 70, that temple no longer exists; as a result, the Jews have devised ‘work arounds’ which the Christians do not accept.**  Notice that the temple was destroyed in AD 70 – providential timing since its purpose was fulfilled and the Word was out!

Third, many of the Torah’s commands can be classified as either mishpatim or chukim.  These can be translated “Laws” and “Decrees”; the difference being –

·      Laws are like our case law – dealing with daily life situations.  Laws are socially logical – shalt not kill, steal, false witness, etc.  These make sense and have become guides for our lives.

·      Decrees are orders coming down from a king or authority like God.  Decrees may seem to be at the whim of the king and are to be obeyed without necessarily understanding the rationale – holiness codes and the sacrifices and detailed preparations for same.  Christianity tries to accept these decrees as symbolic and fulfilled by Jesus Christ.  Symbolism is no longer needed when the real thing comes along.

Fourth, Jesus taught a different method to reach the same objective. 

·      Jews build a “fence” around the “Laws” to avoid any chance of breaking the law or offending God.  Example, the Torah decree to “not cook a baby goat in its mother’s milk” is resolved by creating separate kitchenware to avoid any chance of breaking God’s decree – one of many such rabbinic “fence” laws.

·      Jesus used a different approach to achieve meaningful obedience.  His Sermon on the Mount is classic in which He admonishes us to – don’t even think about it –  and Jesus equates some angers to murder, solving the problem at its source!  BUT, how does one control one’s thoughts or heart?  For that, we need the fifth difference between Jewish and Christian view of observance of the law…

Fifth, note that in the Torah, God puts His Spirit “on” certain people in certain situations – David and Joshua for example.  And He removed His Spirit from Saul.  The Holy Spirit’s involvement was for specific purposes, times and reasons.  As Christians we believe we have an “indwelling of the Spirit.”  Before we became Christians, we were comfortable with sin; but as “new creations” our fundamental desire is to be obedient to Our Lord.  Not a new concept, it was promised in the OT – “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” Ezek. 36:26-28  NIV

SUMMARY – Ceremonial Law was fulfilled/abolished in the NT; but the Moral Law remains.  Maybe Jews and Christians are not as far apart as we tend to believe!

 Points to ponder

Which would you rather follow… 
The shekinah glory of God over the Tabernacle/Temple?
or the guidance and counsel of the Holy Spirit residing in your “temple”?

God started working on His people from the “outside in”;
but Jesus came to give us an “inside out” approach!

♫ Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.  Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
        Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me. ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                                  November 28, 2017

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

*     Inspired and excerpted from Athol Dickson’s in “The Gospel According to Moses” pp 148-154
**   See “Hebraic Musing - Can Prayer Replace Sacrifices?” published October 24, 2017.

Musing – What do we have in common with Joseph and Daniel?

Hebraic Musing – What do we have in common with Joseph and Daniel?

Both Joseph and Daniel were ripped away from their families as young men when they were taken to foreign countries – Joseph to be alone in Egypt and Daniel to Babylon with other exiles.  Both excelled, becoming part of the leadership of their adopted countries.  Outwardly they appeared as accepting their new culture, but they never forgot the God of their Fathers.  Daniel continued his prayer life and eating a diet free of unclean animals.  Joseph advocated for his family and their separation from the idolatrous culture of Egypt.  

When you made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord, did you find yourself living in a foreign land?  We haven’t left our city, state or the United States, but we have been ripped away from the Bible based moral culture of the past and now live in a new culture we realize is rather hostile toward God.  It is hard to escape when the media is leading the charge against the God of the Bible.  Truth has been the first casualty of this war as we are immersed in evil.  Ever feel as alone as Elijah, not knowing whether anyone else has the gift of discernment of evil?

What did the NT say about the OT saints in Hebrews 11:13-16   “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. … they were longing for a better country — a heavenly one. ….” NIV  

As Bible believers, we seem to be attacked on all sides, and can no longer innocently trust others, especially the media, to lead us.  We need to recognize that we are living in hostile country, akin to Egypt or Babylon.  So, like Joseph and Daniel, we need to keep our real identity as children of God, King’s Kids, even though we are in a foreign land, living behind enemy lines.  

We must be constantly seeking God in Bible reading and prayer; because, as our culture gets darker and darker we have more opportunities to let our light shine.  The book of Revelation is becoming more and more relevant in these days, especially regarding those who gave testimony of their faith.  Testimony is a legal term referring to evidence.  We are to give evidence of our faith.  Remember "They overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” Rev 12:11 NIV 

Sometimes people aren't interested in listening to our testimony because they are too wrapped up in what is going on in their own lives.  But let’s recognize there is a hunger for this message in the world today.  People are looking for the truth despite the distractions of life; so let’s focus on being “overcomers” by keeping our eyes on Jesus and His Word.   Rev.2 & 3

Is our role as Christians here on earth any different than Paul’s role?  “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”  Ephesians 6:19-20

And here’s what Peter had to say – “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11-12  NIV

 Point to ponder

Are we living in a foreign land as “Ambassadors for Christ”?

Or, are we too much “at home” here?

♫ This world is not my home I'm just a passing through… ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                                  November 21, 2017

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Inspired and excerpted from Johanna Hocker’s “Joseph & Daniel, heroes of the faith”  Nov.16, 2017

Musing – How Do We Know the Apostles Were “Saved”?

Hebraic Musing – How Do We Know the Apostles Were “Saved”?

Short answer – by their “salvation testimonies.”  Have you noticed how some of their “testimonies” were recorded or reported by the Gospel writers, their brothers in Christ?  Here are a few recorded testimonies:

Andrew abandoned John the Baptist to become an early follower of Jesus of Nazareth.  “Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John (the Baptist) had said and who had followed Jesus.  The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is, the Christ).  And he brought him to Jesus.” John 1:40-42 NIV  (First evangelist?)

Nathaniel’s – "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked.  Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."  Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." John 1:48-49

John’s – On Sunday morning, John tells us he outran Peter to the empty tomb.  “Finally the other disciple (John), who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.  (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)”  John 20:8-9 

Peter’s -- Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.” Matt 16:16-17

John, the Baptist – “Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was.  He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, ‘I am not the Christ.’ John 1:19-20  When pestered “Who are you”  “John the Baptist replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, ‘I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.’'"  John 1:23 

Apostles in the boat when Peter walked on the water – “Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’"  Matt 14:33 

Two of the twelve disciples (not sure which ones) encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus.  “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him,”  Luke 24:30-31

Paul’s popular testimony is retold by Luke when writing the Book of Acts 9:3-6 “As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.  He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’  ‘Who are you, Lord?’  Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied.  "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’  
And after counsel, in Acts 22:16  Ananias said “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.”

Disciples hiding in a room after Resurrection Day “Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’  And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”  John 20:21-22

Mine – On August 26, 1977, I heard a man I admired thanking Jesus for the words he had just spoken to me; and I fell to my knees saying “Jesus Christ, you are real!  I need to learn more about you.”  And I knew I would never be the same.  And I have not been the same since!

Yours – What is your testimony?  When, how and what happened when you made Christ your Lord?  Tell me and receive 500 points; or 1,000 points for a written one page testimony (points are redeemable in heaven).

 Point to ponder

What is the purpose of having a ready testimony of your salvation experience?
(a) For witnessing?     (b) Reminder to ourselves?   (c) or Both

“1 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony;” Rev 12:11

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                               November 14, 2017

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Suggested three part outline for a testimony, whether short or long:
            1. What was life like before?     2. What happened?     3. What has life been like since?

Musing -- Is there a Creation Parallel in Noah’s Account?

Hebraic Musing --  Is there a Creation Parallel in Noah’s Account?

Have you noticed some key words appearing in both the Noahaic Flood account Genesis 9:20-25 as-well-as in the Creation story in Genesis 1 to 3?

As we study the flood in Genesis 9:18-25 we began to see familiar key words reappear that we heard in the garden account in Genesis 1, 2 & 3.  Examples -- soil, fruit, uncovered, nakedness, garment, and curses come up again.  (I am not the first to notice this parallel.)  Let’s look more closely:

The new beginning as Noach & family disembarked the ark is told in Genesis 9:18-25 – “The sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham and Japheth. (Ham was the father of Canaan.) 19 …  20 Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. 21 When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. 22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father's nakedness and told his two brothers outside. 23 But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father's nakedness. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father's nakedness.   24 When Noah awoke from his wine and found out what his youngest son had done to him, 25 he said,  "Cursed be Canaan!  The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers."   NIV

1.      In v20 Noach is a man of the soil; in Gen.2:7 Elohim formed man from the dust of the ground.

2.      And Noach planted a vineyard; in Gen.2:8 Elohim planted a garden eastward in Eden.

3.      Then Noach drank the mind altering wine; and Eve and Adam ate of the forbidden fruit and their eyes were opened – they had their own way of seeing the world.

4.      Noach lays naked in his tent; and in Gen. 3:7 Adam & Eve realized they were naked

5.      Noach’ s boys covered his nakedness correctly; and in Gen. 3:21 Elohim made garments for Adam & Eve.   Covering of the sin in both cases was done in an attitude of love.

6.      Canaan, son of Ham, is cursed,; and in Gen. 3:14 it is the serpent who is cursed.  Canaan is cursed and will be subservient to his brothers; in the garden, the serpent was on level with the other beasts but now is cursed to be below the all the others.

7.      In Gen. 1:2, the Spirit of God is called Ruach which means “Breath or Wind”; and in Gen.8:1 God sent a wind over the earth and waters receded.  And separation of Land and Sea is repeated!

8.      In Gen. 8:17 the animals are told once again to go forth and multiply.

Adam & Eve related to God in His presence; Noach was in mankind’s world.  Could Noach be called the “Second Adam”?

The two trees in Adam & Eve’s life were created by God; Noach’ s wine was man-made from the vineyard. What was the problem?  It was the wine...the "man-made substance" that comes when we process the fruit.   It is not the Creator's good gifts which are the problem, but Noach’ s abuse of them.

Since we cannot determine for sure what the “forbidden fruit” was, could it possibly be grapes from the vine?  And Jesus had a lot to say about the vine in John 15:1 -- “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.”

 Points to ponder

What role did unhealthy desires play in both accounts?

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”  1 Peter 5:8-9

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                               November 7, 2017

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”