By Maria Merola
© Copyright Double Portion Inheritance, October, 2004
I have often heard Christians come to an erroneous conclusion when they declare that “The Old Testament has placed a veil over the eyes of the Jewish people.” Where are they getting such a ridiculous notion?
The basic misunderstanding comes from the following verse taken out of context:
2nd Corinthians 3:14-15“But their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Messiah. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.”
In 2004, a former pastor at a church I once attended preached an entire sermon from 2nd Corinthians 3 (while staring me down the entire time), as he proceeded to imply that the “Old Testament has blinded the Jewish people!”
This pastor knew that I was beginning to explore the Hebraic Roots of my faith, and he was worried that I was spreading heresy among his congregation. He felt it necessary to blast me through sermons---always using Paul’s epistles completely out of context.
I find it unfathomable that anyone would believe that the very same “words” that our Messiah taught us to live by, would now be deemed as something that makes us blind!
In Matthew 4:4, (when our Messiah was being tested in the wilderness), his response to the devil’s suggestion that he should turn stones into loaves of bread was as follows: “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of Elohiym.”
If the written word of our Creator makes us blind, why would our Messiah (the Creator that came to us in the flesh). tell us to live by them?
A careful reading of 2nd Corinthians 3 never even mentions the Jewish people, for it only mentions Yisra’el!
Another common error that people often make is they equate the nation of Yisra’el with the “Jewish people.” What most people fail to understand is that there are Twelve Tribes of Yisra’el, of which only one tribe is named “Judah.” This is the tribe from where we derive the term “Jew.”
The term “Jew,” what does it mean? Well, several different things, in fact. Firstly, when we look up the Hebrew word for the name “Judah” (the fourth son born to Jacob & Leah), we learn that it means the following:
#H3063 Yhuwdah yeh-hoo-daw' from 3034; celebrated, praised; Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory:--Judah.
A derivative of this name is the word “Jew.”
#H3064 Yhuwdiy yeh-hoo-dee' patronymically from 3063; a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah):--Jew.
As you can see, to be a “Jew” means that you are ethnically descended from the Tribe of Judah, the same tribe that our Messiah was born into. However, it goes much deeper than that!
In our modern culture, there are many non-Jews who converted to a religion known as “Judaism,” however, they may not necessarily have the physical DNA as one born from the Tribe of Judah. Is there a biblical precedent for this?
Well, yes there is! In Ezekiel 47:22-23, we are told that if any non-Jew or stranger wants to sojourn with one of the twelve tribes, they can become as one that is born into the tribe!
This means that you don’t have to have DNA from the original Tribe of Judah in order to be counted as a “Jew!” Even the Apostle Paul (Sha’ul) explained in Romans 2:24-28, that being a “Jew” is more about having your heart circumcised (being born-again), and thus being obedient to the Law of Moses.
When we join ourselves to the “lawgiver,” which is our Messiah (who was born into the Tribe of Judah), we are “sojourning with” or “walking with” the Tribe of Judah, and thus we are counted as “one born into the tribe!” In Genesis 49:10, Jacob, gave his son Judah, the blessing of the “lawgiver.” When we are under the authority of Judah, (the lawgiver), we are joined into his tribe!
In today’s modern culture we have three different reasons for assigning the title “Jew” to a group of people:
1.) Ethnically Jewish & Religiously Jewish:
There are those who were born and raised in the ethnic culture and religion of Judaism, regardless if their family has the DNA of the original Tribe of Judah. If they are obeying the Mosaic Law (Towrah), they are counted as a “Jew” in the eyes of our Creator.
2.) Religiously Jewish:
Even those born into any of the twelve tribes, are still counted as “Jews” when they are following the Laws of Moses, because the scepter of the lawgiver was given to Judah (Genesis 49:10). Therefore, to be under the scepter of Judah, means to be under the authority or jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Judah with Jerusalem as its capital.
3.) Ethnically but not Religiously Jewish:
There are those who are ethnically descended from Judaism (the religion) or a Jewish heritage (bloodline identity), and yet, if they are not obeying the Mosaic Law (Towrah), they are still considered “Jewish,” (ethnically speaking), yet in the end, (unless they repent and follow the Jewish Messiah), they will not be counted as a “Jew” in the eyes of our Creator. There are many Jews in America today who are atheists, and some have even joined other religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Freemasonry, etc.
4.) Jewish by Heart Circumcision through Messiah:
There are those who were not born, neither raised in the religion of Judaism, nor can they trace their DNA to the original Tribe of Judah. And yet, they may still be counted as a “Jew” in the eyes of our Creator, if they have their heart circumcised (in another words, born-again); and they have the Towrah (Mosaic Law) written in their hearts as a sign of the New Covenant (see Jeremiah 31:31-33, Hebrews 8:10; Hebrews 10:16).
A Word of Caution
In Revelation 2:9 & 3:9, our Messiah gave a rebuke to those who would claim to be Jewish, and yet, their spiritual fruit says otherwise.
In his address to the Congregation at Smyrna & Philadelphia, this is what our Messiah had to say:
Revelation 2:9 I know your works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but you are rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Yahuwdiym (Jews), and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Revelation 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Yahuwdiym (Jews), and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
There are many Christian Churches, (the Roman Catholic Church in particular) that teach a false theology called “Replacement Theology,” whereby they cite the above verses, and claim that the Christian Church, has “replaced” ethnic and religious Jews, (since they rejected Christ), and now they claim that Christians are counted as the “New Jews!”
The Apostle Sha’ul (Paul) made sure to clear up this kind of confusion in his letter to the Romans, in the eleventh chapter. Paul referred to the Gentiles as “wild branches,” and he referred to Yisra’el, as the “natural branches.” He warned the wild branches (Gentiles) not to be “high-minded,” and not to “boast against the natural branches,” (Romans 11:18) citing that the natural branches (Yisra’el) are the ones who bear the root of the Olive Tree, and it is not the Gentiles who bear the root!
He concludes in Romans 11:21 by saying that if Elohiym did not spare the natural branches (Yisra’el), how much more would he not spare the wild branches if they boasted against Yisra’el from where the root of the Olive Tree originated?
How Did Judah & Yisra’el Become Two Separate Kingdoms?
The term “Jew” is first mentioned in the Bible in 2nd Kings 16:16 during the reign of Yowtham (Jotham), the King of Judah. During the reign of King David (and later, his son Solomon), all Twelve Tribes of Yisra’el were dwelling in the land of Yisra’el, and they were all united under the Kingdom of Judah. That is when all twelve tribes were referred to as “Yahuwdiym” or “Jews.”
However, in 1st Kings 12, we learn that King Jeroboam sent letters to King Rehoboam (Solomon’s son) promising to serve him if he would only lower the taxes of the people. However, King Rehoboam refused to do so, and in fact, he promised to increase their taxes even higher than what his father Solomon had done.
This is what caused the two kingdoms to split. From this point, moving forward, they became known as “The Two Southern Tribes of the House of Judah,” and the “Ten Northern Tribes of the House of Yisra’el.”
The Kingdom of Yisra’el and the Kingdom of Judah became two separate nations, making the term “Jews” distinct only to the Two Southern Tribes of Benjamin & Judah. All other tribes were no longer referred to as “Jews,” they were referred to as Yisra’el.
Today, the only ones who are called “Jews” are those who are following the religion of Judaism, or they have some ethnicity tracing back to those following the religion of Judaism. Many of the Tribes of Yisra’el are no longer following the Mosaic Law, or the Jewish religion, yet they are in the nations living as Gentiles. They have lost their identity, and they do not even know that they are Yisra’elites.
After the events of 1st Kings 12, the Kingdom of Yisra’el became two separate nations. The Tribes of Benjamin & Judah were called “The House of Judah” (Jews), and the “The House of Yisra’el” became known as “Gentiles” by the House of Judah. Why did they call them Gentiles? It is because YaHuWaH divorced them in Jeremiah 3:8, for their idolatry with false deities. In Hosea 1:9, he called them “Lo Ami” which means “You are no longer my people.”
Today, many in the Christian Church refer to themselves as “Gentiles,” because they do not realize what this term means. In the Hebrew & Greek Lexicons, the word “Gentile” means “a heathen.” Paul wrote in Ephesians 2, that if we have been “brought near to the covenant,” we are former Gentiles, and we are no longer a stranger to the covenants of promise!
This means that Christians are still blinded to their true identity as Yisra’elites! And, Jews for the most part are still blinded to the identity of their Messiah!
Both Houses of Yisra’el (Judah & Ephrayim) are “blinded in part” (Romans 11:17-25).
This means that most of Christianity, as well as the Jewish people are blinded to the true meaning of the Old Testament! Born-again believers are “Grafted into the olive tree,” and this means they are considered to be part of the “Commonwealth of Yisra’el” (Ephesians 2:11-12). Since most of Christianity does not see themselves as Yisra’el, they are also blinded at the reading of the Old Testament, every bit as much as the Jewish people!
What exactly did Paul mean when he used the term “Old Testament?”
Was he talking about the books in the Bible from Genesis to Malachi? Was he referring to Law, Prophets & Psalms? Was he talking about the books of the Bible that we call the “Old Testament?” I am going to show you that this is not at all what Paul was referring to when he used this terminology, “Old Testament!”
Let me prove this to you now by citing the words of our Messiah:
The basic misunderstanding comes from the following verse taken out of context:
2nd Corinthians 3:14-15“But their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Messiah. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.”
In 2004, a former pastor at a church I once attended preached an entire sermon from 2nd Corinthians 3 (while staring me down the entire time), as he proceeded to imply that the “Old Testament has blinded the Jewish people!”
This pastor knew that I was beginning to explore the Hebraic Roots of my faith, and he was worried that I was spreading heresy among his congregation. He felt it necessary to blast me through sermons---always using Paul’s epistles completely out of context.
I find it unfathomable that anyone would believe that the very same “words” that our Messiah taught us to live by, would now be deemed as something that makes us blind!
In Matthew 4:4, (when our Messiah was being tested in the wilderness), his response to the devil’s suggestion that he should turn stones into loaves of bread was as follows: “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of Elohiym.”
If the written word of our Creator makes us blind, why would our Messiah (the Creator that came to us in the flesh). tell us to live by them?
A careful reading of 2nd Corinthians 3 never even mentions the Jewish people, for it only mentions Yisra’el!
Another common error that people often make is they equate the nation of Yisra’el with the “Jewish people.” What most people fail to understand is that there are Twelve Tribes of Yisra’el, of which only one tribe is named “Judah.” This is the tribe from where we derive the term “Jew.”
The term “Jew,” what does it mean? Well, several different things, in fact. Firstly, when we look up the Hebrew word for the name “Judah” (the fourth son born to Jacob & Leah), we learn that it means the following:
#H3063 Yhuwdah yeh-hoo-daw' from 3034; celebrated, praised; Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory:--Judah.
A derivative of this name is the word “Jew.”
#H3064 Yhuwdiy yeh-hoo-dee' patronymically from 3063; a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah):--Jew.
As you can see, to be a “Jew” means that you are ethnically descended from the Tribe of Judah, the same tribe that our Messiah was born into. However, it goes much deeper than that!
In our modern culture, there are many non-Jews who converted to a religion known as “Judaism,” however, they may not necessarily have the physical DNA as one born from the Tribe of Judah. Is there a biblical precedent for this?
Well, yes there is! In Ezekiel 47:22-23, we are told that if any non-Jew or stranger wants to sojourn with one of the twelve tribes, they can become as one that is born into the tribe!
This means that you don’t have to have DNA from the original Tribe of Judah in order to be counted as a “Jew!” Even the Apostle Paul (Sha’ul) explained in Romans 2:24-28, that being a “Jew” is more about having your heart circumcised (being born-again), and thus being obedient to the Law of Moses.
When we join ourselves to the “lawgiver,” which is our Messiah (who was born into the Tribe of Judah), we are “sojourning with” or “walking with” the Tribe of Judah, and thus we are counted as “one born into the tribe!” In Genesis 49:10, Jacob, gave his son Judah, the blessing of the “lawgiver.” When we are under the authority of Judah, (the lawgiver), we are joined into his tribe!
In today’s modern culture we have three different reasons for assigning the title “Jew” to a group of people:
1.) Ethnically Jewish & Religiously Jewish:
There are those who were born and raised in the ethnic culture and religion of Judaism, regardless if their family has the DNA of the original Tribe of Judah. If they are obeying the Mosaic Law (Towrah), they are counted as a “Jew” in the eyes of our Creator.
2.) Religiously Jewish:
Even those born into any of the twelve tribes, are still counted as “Jews” when they are following the Laws of Moses, because the scepter of the lawgiver was given to Judah (Genesis 49:10). Therefore, to be under the scepter of Judah, means to be under the authority or jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Judah with Jerusalem as its capital.
3.) Ethnically but not Religiously Jewish:
There are those who are ethnically descended from Judaism (the religion) or a Jewish heritage (bloodline identity), and yet, if they are not obeying the Mosaic Law (Towrah), they are still considered “Jewish,” (ethnically speaking), yet in the end, (unless they repent and follow the Jewish Messiah), they will not be counted as a “Jew” in the eyes of our Creator. There are many Jews in America today who are atheists, and some have even joined other religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Freemasonry, etc.
4.) Jewish by Heart Circumcision through Messiah:
There are those who were not born, neither raised in the religion of Judaism, nor can they trace their DNA to the original Tribe of Judah. And yet, they may still be counted as a “Jew” in the eyes of our Creator, if they have their heart circumcised (in another words, born-again); and they have the Towrah (Mosaic Law) written in their hearts as a sign of the New Covenant (see Jeremiah 31:31-33, Hebrews 8:10; Hebrews 10:16).
A Word of Caution
In Revelation 2:9 & 3:9, our Messiah gave a rebuke to those who would claim to be Jewish, and yet, their spiritual fruit says otherwise.
In his address to the Congregation at Smyrna & Philadelphia, this is what our Messiah had to say:
Revelation 2:9 I know your works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but you are rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Yahuwdiym (Jews), and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Revelation 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Yahuwdiym (Jews), and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
There are many Christian Churches, (the Roman Catholic Church in particular) that teach a false theology called “Replacement Theology,” whereby they cite the above verses, and claim that the Christian Church, has “replaced” ethnic and religious Jews, (since they rejected Christ), and now they claim that Christians are counted as the “New Jews!”
The Apostle Sha’ul (Paul) made sure to clear up this kind of confusion in his letter to the Romans, in the eleventh chapter. Paul referred to the Gentiles as “wild branches,” and he referred to Yisra’el, as the “natural branches.” He warned the wild branches (Gentiles) not to be “high-minded,” and not to “boast against the natural branches,” (Romans 11:18) citing that the natural branches (Yisra’el) are the ones who bear the root of the Olive Tree, and it is not the Gentiles who bear the root!
He concludes in Romans 11:21 by saying that if Elohiym did not spare the natural branches (Yisra’el), how much more would he not spare the wild branches if they boasted against Yisra’el from where the root of the Olive Tree originated?
How Did Judah & Yisra’el Become Two Separate Kingdoms?
The term “Jew” is first mentioned in the Bible in 2nd Kings 16:16 during the reign of Yowtham (Jotham), the King of Judah. During the reign of King David (and later, his son Solomon), all Twelve Tribes of Yisra’el were dwelling in the land of Yisra’el, and they were all united under the Kingdom of Judah. That is when all twelve tribes were referred to as “Yahuwdiym” or “Jews.”
However, in 1st Kings 12, we learn that King Jeroboam sent letters to King Rehoboam (Solomon’s son) promising to serve him if he would only lower the taxes of the people. However, King Rehoboam refused to do so, and in fact, he promised to increase their taxes even higher than what his father Solomon had done.
This is what caused the two kingdoms to split. From this point, moving forward, they became known as “The Two Southern Tribes of the House of Judah,” and the “Ten Northern Tribes of the House of Yisra’el.”
The Kingdom of Yisra’el and the Kingdom of Judah became two separate nations, making the term “Jews” distinct only to the Two Southern Tribes of Benjamin & Judah. All other tribes were no longer referred to as “Jews,” they were referred to as Yisra’el.
Today, the only ones who are called “Jews” are those who are following the religion of Judaism, or they have some ethnicity tracing back to those following the religion of Judaism. Many of the Tribes of Yisra’el are no longer following the Mosaic Law, or the Jewish religion, yet they are in the nations living as Gentiles. They have lost their identity, and they do not even know that they are Yisra’elites.
After the events of 1st Kings 12, the Kingdom of Yisra’el became two separate nations. The Tribes of Benjamin & Judah were called “The House of Judah” (Jews), and the “The House of Yisra’el” became known as “Gentiles” by the House of Judah. Why did they call them Gentiles? It is because YaHuWaH divorced them in Jeremiah 3:8, for their idolatry with false deities. In Hosea 1:9, he called them “Lo Ami” which means “You are no longer my people.”
Today, many in the Christian Church refer to themselves as “Gentiles,” because they do not realize what this term means. In the Hebrew & Greek Lexicons, the word “Gentile” means “a heathen.” Paul wrote in Ephesians 2, that if we have been “brought near to the covenant,” we are former Gentiles, and we are no longer a stranger to the covenants of promise!
This means that Christians are still blinded to their true identity as Yisra’elites! And, Jews for the most part are still blinded to the identity of their Messiah!
Both Houses of Yisra’el (Judah & Ephrayim) are “blinded in part” (Romans 11:17-25).
This means that most of Christianity, as well as the Jewish people are blinded to the true meaning of the Old Testament! Born-again believers are “Grafted into the olive tree,” and this means they are considered to be part of the “Commonwealth of Yisra’el” (Ephesians 2:11-12). Since most of Christianity does not see themselves as Yisra’el, they are also blinded at the reading of the Old Testament, every bit as much as the Jewish people!
What exactly did Paul mean when he used the term “Old Testament?”
Was he talking about the books in the Bible from Genesis to Malachi? Was he referring to Law, Prophets & Psalms? Was he talking about the books of the Bible that we call the “Old Testament?” I am going to show you that this is not at all what Paul was referring to when he used this terminology, “Old Testament!”
Let me prove this to you now by citing the words of our Messiah:
Luqas (Luke) 4:4 And Yahuwshuwa answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of Elohiym.
Now we have to ask ourselves, what were these “words” that our Messiah told us that we should live by? When he declared that we should live by “every word” of our Creator, did he mean only the Briyth Chadashah (New Testament) scriptures? No, as a matter of fact, the “New Testament” writings would not go into print until about 60 years later, after he made this statement! So what did he mean by “Every word of Elohiym?”
Luqas (Luke) 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the Towrah (law) of Mosheh (Moses), and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
As you can see, the scriptures consist of three parts: Law, Prophets & Psalms. Now if the Law (Towrah) and Prophets testify of our Messiah, how then can the Old Testament scriptures make us blind? People who think that Paul was declaring that the scriptures make us blind might as well become atheists. To believe such a notion is the epitome of foolishness.
The separation of the Bible into two different books called “Old Testament & New Testament” is an invention of the Roman Emperor Constantine.
The Bible was not divided up into two testaments prior to the Latin Vulgate Catholic Bible going into print in the 3rd Century. Under orders of Constantine, a bishop of Caesarea named Eusebeus was commissioned to make him fifty copies of the Bible in Latin. This word “testament” has a very specific meaning in the Greek Textus Receptus, which I will illustrate from the Greek Strong’s Concordance:
Let’s look up the terms here for “Old Testament” which Paul uses in these passages. The Greek word used in 1st Corinthians 3:14 for “old” is as follows:
Strong’s #G3820 – palaios- old, ancient; no longer new, worn by use, the worse for wear, old.
The Greek word used for “testament” is as follows:
Strong’s #G1242 – diathēkē- a disposition, arrangement, of any sort, which one wishes to be valid, the last disposition which one makes of his earthly possessions after his death, a testament or will; a compact, a covenant, a testament; God’s covenant with Noah, etc.
As you can see, this word “testament” is not referring to the books of Genesis through Malachi! The term actually means “The last will and testament” that YaHuWaH made with his bride Yisra’el!
Here are some examples of how this word “testament” is used.
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Marqos (Mark) 14:24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
Luqas (Luke) 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
1st Qorintiym (Corinthians) 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do you, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 7:22 By so much was Yahuwshuwa made a surety of a better testament.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
As you can see, this word “testament” is not referring to the books of Genesis through Malachi! The term actually means “The last will and testament” that YaHuWaH made with his bride Yisra’el!
Here are some examples of how this word “testament” is used.
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Marqos (Mark) 14:24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
Luqas (Luke) 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
1st Qorintiym (Corinthians) 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do you, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 7:22 By so much was Yahuwshuwa made a surety of a better testament.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 9:16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 9:17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator lives.
The word “testor” in these two passages of Hebrews 9:16-17 is defined here in the Greek Concordance as follows:
Strong’s #G1303 – diatithēmi- to arrange, dispose of, one’s own affairs; of something that belongs to one; to dispose of by will, make a testament; to make a covenant, enter into a covenant, with one.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 9:18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 9:20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which Elohiym has enjoined unto you.
Chazown (Revelation) 11:19 And the temple of Elohiym was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
The correct terminology for the “Old Testament” scriptures is called the “TaNaKh” which is an acronym for Towrah (Law), Nebiym (Prophets) & Ketuwbiym (Psalms or Writings). The New Testament writings are more accurately called in Hebrew “The Briyth Chadashah,” which literally means “The Covenant Renewed.”
What did Paul mean by the expression “Old Testament?” In order to understand what he meant, we are going to have to go back to the book of Exodus, where Yisra’el was first married to YaHuWaH, and subsequently, she committed adultery with the molten calf. After the golden calf incident, Moses broke the stone tablets as a sign of Yisra’el being divorced from YaHuWaH.
However, Moses went back up to the mountain to receive a second set of stone tablets (symbolic of the New Covenant). When Moses returned, he instituted the office of the High Priests after the Sons of Aaron.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 9:18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 9:20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which Elohiym has enjoined unto you.
Chazown (Revelation) 11:19 And the temple of Elohiym was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
The correct terminology for the “Old Testament” scriptures is called the “TaNaKh” which is an acronym for Towrah (Law), Nebiym (Prophets) & Ketuwbiym (Psalms or Writings). The New Testament writings are more accurately called in Hebrew “The Briyth Chadashah,” which literally means “The Covenant Renewed.”
What did Paul mean by the expression “Old Testament?” In order to understand what he meant, we are going to have to go back to the book of Exodus, where Yisra’el was first married to YaHuWaH, and subsequently, she committed adultery with the molten calf. After the golden calf incident, Moses broke the stone tablets as a sign of Yisra’el being divorced from YaHuWaH.
However, Moses went back up to the mountain to receive a second set of stone tablets (symbolic of the New Covenant). When Moses returned, he instituted the office of the High Priests after the Sons of Aaron.
Prior to the incident with the molten calf, their High Priest was Melchizedek, who visited Abraham in Genesis 14:18. After they committed adultery, they had to have a temporary office of the High Priests made up of mortal men, who would eventually die.
We are going to see that Yisra’el was just like Tamar who had three husbands. We first learn about Tamar in Genesis 38, as she was first married to the oldest son of Judah named Er who represents Melchizedek, her first husband (the Messiah) who in eternity is “The lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8).
Er also represents Mosheh (Moses) who was a “type” of Messiah, and he also died. After Er died, she was married to his brother, Onan who refused to perform the duty of a kinsmen redeemer for his dead brother. Therefore, YaHuWaH slew him. Onan represents the temporary office of the High Priests after the sons of Aaron.
The Levites later on in history made up a law that prevented the Ten Northern Tribes from coming into the outer court of the Temple so that they could hear the Towrah and be saved. In this way, they were like Onan who refused to be the kinsmen redeemer for the widowed wife. And then finally, Judah represents the Father and the Son.
Judah (her father-in-law) promised to send his son Shelah to be her husband once he became old enough. However, when Shelah was old enough, Judah did not send him to Tamar. Tamar then disguised herself as a harlot and covered her face with a “veil.” Now pay close attention to this typology of the “veil,” because Tamar covering her face with a “veil” is related to Mosheh (Moses) covering his face with a “veil” also.
Every time you see the word “veil” in scripture, you are always going to see Yom Kippur typology being portrayed. The word “veil” typifies something “hidden, concealed, secret, covered.”
2nd Qorintiym (Corinthians) 3:
2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
3 Forasmuch as You are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Mashiyach (Messiah) ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living Elohiym; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
4 And such trust have we through Mashiyach (Messiah) to Elohiym:
5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of Elohiym;
6 Who also has made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life.
7 But if the administration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Yisra’el could not stedfastly behold the face of Mosheh (Moses) for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
8 How shall not the administration of the spirit be rather glorious?
9 For if the administration of condemnation be glory, much more does the administration of righteousness exceed in glory.
10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excels.
11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remains is glorious.
12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
13 And not as Mosheh (Moses), which put a veil over his face, that the children of Yisra’el could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Mashiyach (Messiah).
15 But even unto this day, when Mosheh (Moses) is read, the veil is upon their heart.
16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to YHWH, the veil shall be taken away.
What exactly is the veil? The “veil” over the face of Mosheh (Moses) is directly analogous to the “veil” in the Temple which separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies (Exodus 26:33). Mosheh was allowed to enter into the presence of YaHuWaH because he was chosen, and he was righteous. He also was a prophetic “type” of the future Messiah.
The ordinance that Mosheh was about to put into place after Yisra’el transgressed with the molten calf was the temporary office of the High Priests. Before the molten calf, their High Priest was the eternal one, Melchizedek (the heavenly High Priest from the Tribe of Judah). Psalm 110:4 tells us that Melchizedek is “A priest forever.” Hebrews 7:14 tells us that Melchizedek sprang out of Judah!
The red heifer was the only sacrifice that was to be done “outside the camp” or outside the city limits of Jerusalem. The red heifer had to be spotless and without blemish. The red heifer was to be killed, and then burned down into ashes. The ashes were then mixed with water to make a cleansing solution to cleanse the altar in the Temple after it had become defiled. The killing of the red heifer symbolized ending the transgression of Yisra’el with the molten calf.
He did this as an act of mercy so that they would not have to die as a nation. YaHuWaH wanted to destroy the entire nation, however, Moses interceded for them, and begged Yah not to destroy them for his own name-sake. The alternate plan (instead of destroying the entire nation) was to have the nation be married to a temporary priesthood after the Sons of Aaron.
Now, Mosheh (Moses) had to make atonement for them when he went up to Mount Sinai a second time. Mosheh was from the Tribe of Levi, thus, the priesthood was being changed from the eternal priesthood of Melchizedek (from Judah) to a temporary priesthood from the Sons of Aaron (from Levi).
But why?
Well there are three reasons why. First of all, it was Aaron who was guilty of causing the nation to sin with the molten calf in the first place. This is why Aaron and his sons had to bear the guilt for the nation forever (1st Chronicles 15:2).
The Levites are going to minister to YaHuWaH forever, during the reign of Messiah when he returns. They are going to be ministering side-by-side with the Melchizedek Priesthood in the Millennium, under our Messiah. When the Levites are born-again (changed into immortality), they will then become part of the Melchizedek Priesthood under Messiah.
The second reason why is because after the nation sinned with the molten calf in Exodus 32:26-28, the Levites were the only ones who were willing to be on the side of YaHuWaH. The rest of the nation did not choose to be on the side of YaHuWaH, and many of them were slain because they did not repent.
Ever since the Levites stood up for YaHuWaH, every year on Yom Kippur, the High Priest (Kohen ha’Gadowl) had to make atonement for the entire nation of Yisra’el. The priests had to first atone for themselves with the blood of the bullock (the red heifer), and if they did not, they would die behind the veil when they went to make atonement for Yisra’el with the blood of the goat in the Holy of Holies.
These instructions for Yom Kippur are found in Leviticus 16. What does the bullock typify? It represents the fact that “molten calf worship” was being destroyed. Aaron was the one who formed the molten calf in the first place with the golden jewelry of the Yisra’elites. Thus, he and his sons had to first sanctify themselves with the blood of a bullock before they could sprinkle the blood of the goat for Yom Kippur on the Mercy Seat.
The body of our Messiah (his flesh) is what the Temple Veil (the curtain) was meant to symbolize. When his flesh (his body) was torn, then the curtain in the Temple was also torn at the same time!
Ibriym (Hebrews) 10:20 By a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
The moment that our Messiah drew his last breath, (when he died on the tree), it says in the gospel of Matthew, that the Temple Curtain was torn in two from top to bottom:
Mattithyahuw (Matthew 27:51) And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent (torn) in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent (torn).
This means that he was restoring the Melchizedek Priesthood to not only the sons of Aaron, but to born-again believers who are called to be his royal priesthood after the order of Melchizedek (see 1st Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10).
So what was abolished? The entire Mosaic Law? No! That is impossible, for our Messiah already told us that it would not be abolished until heaven and earth passes away! And when is that supposed to happen?
This means that he was restoring the Melchizedek Priesthood to not only the sons of Aaron, but to born-again believers who are called to be his royal priesthood after the order of Melchizedek (see 1st Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10).
So what was abolished? The entire Mosaic Law? No! That is impossible, for our Messiah already told us that it would not be abolished until heaven and earth passes away! And when is that supposed to happen?
In Revelation 21:1 we read that the first heaven, and the first earth will pass away AFTER the 1,000-year reign of Messiah is completed. This is when the “New heaven and the new earth” come down with the New Jerusalem!
Until then, the only thing that is abolished is the office of the High Priests after the sons of Aaron!
What did Paul mean when he said that the “Old Testament” blinded the nation of Yisra’el when they read it? Is he talking about the scriptures? No, not at all!
This term he is using is directly related to the “Law of Divorce” found in Deuteronomy 24. This is the third reason why the Sons of Aaron had to be the new High Priests after the transgression with the molten calf:
1 When a man has taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he has found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.
2 And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife.
3 And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and gives it in her hand, and sends her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife;
4 Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before YHWH: and you shall not cause the land to sin, which YHWH your Elohiym gives you for an inheritance.
Okay, so now we understand that the nation of Yisra’el was divorced by YaHuWaH, when Mosheh broke those first set of stone tablets.
After that, he went back up a second time to receive a
This is why an ordinance had to be made for the High Priests after the sons of Aaron, to kill a bullock. The bullock symbolized the eradication of their marriage to the molten calf. Yet, Yisra’el still would not be able to return to her first husband, YaHuWaH.
Yisra’el could not be remarried to Melchizedek as her High Priest, for Melchizedek is YaHuWaH himself who has “No mother, nor father, neither beginning of days nor end of days” (Hebrews 7:3). YaHuWaH came down himself, and made atonement in the Garden of Eden for Adam & Eve. He made “coats, skins, coverings” for them which was Yom Kippur typology.
The word “kippur” means “atonement.” However, it comes from another root word “kaphar” which means “to cover.”
After that, he went back up a second time to receive a
This is why an ordinance had to be made for the High Priests after the sons of Aaron, to kill a bullock. The bullock symbolized the eradication of their marriage to the molten calf. Yet, Yisra’el still would not be able to return to her first husband, YaHuWaH.
Yisra’el could not be remarried to Melchizedek as her High Priest, for Melchizedek is YaHuWaH himself who has “No mother, nor father, neither beginning of days nor end of days” (Hebrews 7:3). YaHuWaH came down himself, and made atonement in the Garden of Eden for Adam & Eve. He made “coats, skins, coverings” for them which was Yom Kippur typology.
The word “kippur” means “atonement.” However, it comes from another root word “kaphar” which means “to cover.”
This is why Yisra’el had to be divorced from YaHuWaH when the first set of stone tablets were broken. This would then release her from the marriage covenant with Melchizedek. This would enable her to be temporarily married to the Priesthood of the sons of Aaron. They would then act as her High Priest, her kinsmen redeemer, and her husband.
The Levites would stand in the gap and make intercession for her once per year on Yom Kippur. The only way that she could be married to Melchizedek again is if he came down here himself in human flesh and died for her, thereby destroying the Law of Divorce!
That was the “Old Testament!” Let us look up the terms here for “Old Testament” which Paul uses in these passages. The word used here in 1st Corinthians 3:14 for “old” is as follows:
Strong’s #G3820 – palaios- old, ancient; no longer new, worn by use, the worse for wear, old.
The Levites would stand in the gap and make intercession for her once per year on Yom Kippur. The only way that she could be married to Melchizedek again is if he came down here himself in human flesh and died for her, thereby destroying the Law of Divorce!
That was the “Old Testament!” Let us look up the terms here for “Old Testament” which Paul uses in these passages. The word used here in 1st Corinthians 3:14 for “old” is as follows:
Strong’s #G3820 – palaios- old, ancient; no longer new, worn by use, the worse for wear, old.
The word used for “testament” is as follows:
Strong’s #G1242 – diathēkē- a disposition, arrangement, of any sort, which one wishes to be valid, the last disposition which one makes of his earthly possessions after his death, a testament or will; a compact, a covenant, a testament; God’s covenant with Noah, etc.
Aha! Now we can see that Paul was not talking about the “TaNaKh” or the scriptures at all!
The terminology “Old Testament” was misapplied by the Roman Emperor Constantine to mean the entire books of the Bible called the “Law, Prophets & Psalms.”
However, that is not what the term “Old Testament” actually means!
So what does it mean? The term “Old Testament” is “the last will and testament” that Yah made with the nation of Yisra’el, which is called “The book of the law.”
In this last will and testament, (where the blessings and curses are found in Deuteronomy 28), are also the instructions in Deuteronomy 31:26 to make atonement for the nation. The “book of the law” was the “last will and testament” which was placed in the side of the Ark of the Testimony as a “Testimony against Yisra’el.”
This was to remind them of their harlotry with the golden calf. It showed them every year that they needed a temporary High Priest to make atonement for them. It continually reminded them that they would not be able to return to their first husband until he came in the flesh to die for them!
In Deuteronomy 24, it says they could never return to YaHuWaH as their husband, for this would be an abomination. Therefore, a temporary husband was assigned to them, which was the office of the High Priesthood after the Sons of Aaron. It was because Aaron led the nation into idolatry with the molten calf in the first place. Now with all this background information, we will be able to better understand Paul’s letter to the Romans:
Romiym (Romans) 7:1 For the woman which has an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he lives; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
The terminology “Old Testament” was misapplied by the Roman Emperor Constantine to mean the entire books of the Bible called the “Law, Prophets & Psalms.”
However, that is not what the term “Old Testament” actually means!
So what does it mean? The term “Old Testament” is “the last will and testament” that Yah made with the nation of Yisra’el, which is called “The book of the law.”
In this last will and testament, (where the blessings and curses are found in Deuteronomy 28), are also the instructions in Deuteronomy 31:26 to make atonement for the nation. The “book of the law” was the “last will and testament” which was placed in the side of the Ark of the Testimony as a “Testimony against Yisra’el.”
This was to remind them of their harlotry with the golden calf. It showed them every year that they needed a temporary High Priest to make atonement for them. It continually reminded them that they would not be able to return to their first husband until he came in the flesh to die for them!
In Deuteronomy 24, it says they could never return to YaHuWaH as their husband, for this would be an abomination. Therefore, a temporary husband was assigned to them, which was the office of the High Priesthood after the Sons of Aaron. It was because Aaron led the nation into idolatry with the molten calf in the first place. Now with all this background information, we will be able to better understand Paul’s letter to the Romans:
Romiym (Romans) 7:1 For the woman which has an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he lives; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
*Note: the law of her husband is the law that prevented her from being married to him again as seen in Deuteronomy 24.
Romiym (Romans) 7:3 So then if, while her husband lives, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress:but if her husband be dead, she is free from THAT law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
Romiym (Romans) 7:3 So then if, while her husband lives, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress:but if her husband be dead, she is free from THAT law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
Romiym (Romans) 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, you also are become dead to the law by the body of Mashiyach (Messiah); that you should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto Elohiym.
When John the Immerser (Baptist) immersed our Messiah in the Jordan River, he was showing that he was the temporary High Priest after the sons of Aaron who was about to die now.
When John the Immerser (Baptist) immersed our Messiah in the Jordan River, he was showing that he was the temporary High Priest after the sons of Aaron who was about to die now.
Yahuwshuwa was about to become her new husband, her High Priest, her kinsmen redeemer instead of John.
When Messiah came and died, Yisra’el was able to be married to him again. For once the first husband died, the law of her husband (the law of divorce) died with him, thereby enabling her to return to him!
This is why John had to die, because he was a priest after the Sons of Aaron. Now, Yisra’el became a widow twice, just like Tamar in Genesis 38! Finally, our Messiah, Yahuwshuwa had to die in order to nullify the law of divorce that was against her!
When her first husband died, she was “free from the law of her husband” which prevented her from being married to him again! The last “will and testament” that he left her was that she could never return to him again unless he died for her. This is what Paul was talking about---not the scriptures, but the book of the law which made mortal men (Levites) into High Priests!
Where is this last will and testament found? It is in Deuteronomy 24, where it says that she may never return to YaHuWaH. That is why Yisra’el had to be married to another husband, (the Levites) as their High Priest. Now we can begin to understand why it was important for our Messiah to be born into the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah). This is the reason why in John 4:22, (when he spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well), he said the following words to her:
Yahuwchanon (John) 4:22 You worship you know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Yahuwdiym (Jews).
But what did he mean by this? Was he telling her that we had to join the religion of Judaism? No!
But what did he mean by this? Was he telling her that we had to join the religion of Judaism? No!
That is not what he meant at all. He was talking about the Melchizedek Priesthood that comes from the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah). Our Messiah had to be from the Tribe of Judah on his mother’s side, as well as from his earthly father Yahuwceph’s (Joseph’s) side. The genealogical record in Matthew & Luke proves that our Messiah came from the Tribe of Judah on both sides of his earthly parents.
However, the Tribe of Judah existed in eternity as well. For we know that Melchizedek is an eternal priest without beginning or ending. Our Creator, YaHuWaH is also from the Tribe of Judah. Even his name bears the name of the Tribe of Judah!
Our Creator’s name is spelled with four letters in Hebrew: Yod-Hey-Waw-Hey, which is rendered as YaHuWaH when English vowels are added in. The letters in the Hebrew name“YaHuWDaH” (Judah), are as follows: Yod-Hey-Waw-Dalet-Hey.
They are the same letters in our Creator’s name with one added letter, which is the “Dalet,” (equivalent to the Greek Delta, and the English D). This letter literally means “THE DOOR!” Our Messiah is the door to the Father (John 10:7-9), and this letter is embedded in the Father’s name!
It is because the Father & the Son are one (John 10:30), and the divine name bears the name of the Tribe of Judah, with the door in the middle of the name!
The number “4” prophetically points to many things concerning our Messiah. Judah was the fourth son born to Leah & Jacob. Our Messiah is the door to the Father, and the fourth letter in the Hebrew Alphabet is the “dalet” meaning “the door.” Our Messiah came to us the first time in the fourth millennium, and he died on the fourth day of the week (what we today called Wednesday). He then resurrected on the seventh day of the week (Sabbath), giving us rest from the curses of sin and death.
By adding the Hebrew letter “dalet” to the name YaHuWaH, we get the name YaHuWDaH!
In the Tribe of YaHuWDaH, we see the Father, YaHuWaH, and the Son (who is the door) as the 4th letter in the name YaHuWDaH!
Judah, the Original Law-Giver
Now that we understand that this name “Yahuwdah” (Judah) bears the name of both the Father & the Son as Melchizedek, we should be able to understand why it was necessary for our Messiah to come and save humanity from this tribe. Leah named her fourth son “Yahuwdah” (Judah), and Jacob gave him the “scepter” (authority) to rule over the other tribes with the Law of YaHuWaH (Genesis 49:10). It was after the molten calf incident that the role of the law-giver was temporarily handed over to the sons of Aaron. Now we should be able to figure out what Paul meant in this passage:
Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of time was come, Elohiym sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.
In order for our Messiah to become the Kinsman Redeemer, and therefore able to remarry Yisra’el, he had to be born into a world of fallen human beings, so that he could represent sinful humanity. This is why it says he was “made of a woman.” Although he never sinned, he had to come from the “seed of the woman” (Genesis 3:15) in order to be our Kinsman Redeemer, (our High Priest and husband). Our Messiah was born under the Levitical Law, where the mortal High Priests served as a temporary redeemer “until the seed should come!”
Galatians 3:19 tells us what the purpose was for the Levitical High Priests to perform their atoning work each year on Yom Kippur:
“Wherefore then serves the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”
What does this mean? Messiah himself is that mediator (1st Timothy 2:5; Galatians 3:20), who promised to come for his own bride, Yisra’el to redeem her from the law of divorce! It means that law that made mortal men into High Priests for Yisra’el is “The law that was added because of transgression!”
The Mosaic Law had already been given before the transgression with the molten calf, therefore, the only part that was “added” was the part that made mortals into High Priests. This is what is called “The book of the law” that was to be placed on the side of the ark as a continual reminder that their sins were on display.
Romans 8:3 says it this way: “For what the law [of the high priests] could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, Elohiym sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.”
What was weak through the flesh? Mortal men who are fallen are weak, and they eventually die! The law itself is not weak, for King David wrote that the Mosaic Law (Towrah) is perfect, and has the ability to convert the soul:
Psalm 19:7 The Towrah (law) of YHWH is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of YHWH is sure, making wise the simple.
Many Christians like to quote this verse in Hebrews without understanding the back story of how Yisra’el was given a temporary High Priest until the seed should come:
Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw near until Elohiym.
Which law made nothing perfect? If King David declared that the Towrah (law) is perfect, and has the ability to convert the soul, we would have to call David a liar, or the author of the book of Hebrews is just plain wrong. But I submit to you, that neither is true. Both David, and the author of Hebrews understood which law made nothing perfect. It was“The law that was added because of transgression,” which made mortals into High Priests!
Those High Priests (by reason of death) could not perfect humanity!
Hebrews 7:23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death.
The rest of Hebrews 7 gives the context:
Hebrews 7:
24 But this man, because he continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come
unto Elohiym by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.
26 For such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled,
separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 Who needs not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice,
first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when
he offered up himself.
28 For the law makes men high priests which have infirmity; but the
word of the oath, which was since the law, makes the Son, who is consecrated
for evermore.
Aha! Do you see the context of what law made nothing perfect! It was the law that made mortals into High Priests! And when was “the word of the oath” given that was “since the law?”
Psalm 110:4 YHWH has sworn, and will not repent, You are a priest
for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
The oath was given to David since the book of the law (Deuteronomy), which made High Priests out of mortals! Now, we can begin to understand why our Messiah told the Samaritan woman that salvation comes from the Tribe of Judah!
Do you see that salvation could never come from the Tribe of Levi? For it was Judah that was given the scepter to rule in Genesis 49:10. Reuben, Simeon, and Levi (the first three sons of Jacob) were disqualified from holding this scepter because of their sinful ways.
Conversely, the first three sons of Judah (Er, Onan, and Shelah) would also not qualify to redeem Tamar, the widow (a symbol of Yisra’el). Judah was the father-in-law of Tamar, and he is the one who would redeem her. The fourth son (Judah), later became the father who would redeem Yisra’el. Isaiah 9:6 tells us that the chosen son would later be called “The everlasting Father!”
Not that Judah was perfect, (because we all know that he was not). However, YaHuWaH in his foreknowledge knew that Judah would be the one that would impregnate Tamar with twins, symbolizing the Two Houses of Yisra’el. Tamar symbolizes the twice-widowed woman (Yisra’el) in Isaiah 54:1-4). Judah typifies the Messiah who would redeem her when he gave her twins. Tamar’s twin with the scarlet cord around his wrist symbolizes the Messiah that would come to redeem Yisra’el through the Tribe of Judah.
The English term “Jew” is defined in the Hebrew Strong’s Concordance as “belonging to the Tribe of Judah.” Revelation 5:5 says that our Messiah Yahuwshuwa is the “Lion of the Tribe of Yahuwdah” (Judah). There are some people out there who are now claiming that our Messiah was not from the tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah), and they are saying that he was not a “Jew” nor a “Yahuwdiy.” But why is this important?
Messiah’s earthly father Yahuwceph (Joseph) was from the House of Dawiyd (David), and he was from the House of Yahuwdah (Judah). The Heavenly Father’s name is YaHuWaH and his name is embedded in the name of the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah).
The Melchizedek Priesthood is from the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah) as seen in Hebrews 7:14. If our Messiah had not been born into the Tribe of Yahuwdah, then he could not have been our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek! In Genesis 38, we read about Tamar who was a widow. She typifies the Ten Northern Tribes of Yisra’el who became a widow (Isaiah 54:1-4). But her father-in-law, Yahuwdah (Judah) became her “kinsmen redeemer” by impregnating her with twins (symbolic of the Two Houses of Yisra’el).
Yahuwdah (Judah) promised to send his son Shelah to marry Tamar but instead, Judah himself (the father) became the kinsmen redeemer!
This is a picture of the Heavenly Father promising to send his son as the kinsmen redeemer for the nation of Yisra’el. However, the Father himself came down, put on human flesh, and became the “first-born” son as a representation of the nation of Yisra’el.
This is a picture of the Heavenly Father promising to send his son as the kinsmen redeemer for the nation of Yisra’el. However, the Father himself came down, put on human flesh, and became the “first-born” son as a representation of the nation of Yisra’el.
The Father & the Son are seen in the “Twin Goats” for Yom Kippur. The Father is seen as the “sacrificial goat” who is the perfect, sinless sacrifice.
The “scapegoat” is seen in the Son who is the “innocent party that takes the place of the guilty party” (Yisra’el). Messiah came as a representation of the nation of Yisra’el (the firstborn son who was guilty). Romans 8:3 says that he came in the “likeness of sinful flesh” even though he never sinned.
You see, in order for him to be the perfect sacrifice, he had to be 100% YaHuWaH Elohiym, and he also had to be 100% human to die in the place of “sinful mankind.” See my other article entitled “The Twin Goats on Yom Kippur Fulfilled in Messiah Yahuwshuwa.”
Messiah had to be born into the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah) in order to be the “kinsmen redeemer” for the nation. What is a kinsmen redeemer? In Deuteronomy 25:5, we read that when a woman becomes a widow, (and she has no son to carry on the name of her dead husband), a close relative of the woman’s dead husband may marry her and give her a son. That son will then raise up the name and inheritance for the dead husband of that widow.
Ya’aqob (Jacob) chose his 4th son named Yahuwdah (Judah) to be the “kinsmen redeemer” for the other eleven tribes of Yisra’el (see Genesis 49:9-10). Therefore, the only way that our Messiah could be the legitimate “kinsmen redeemer” for the divorced and widowed Tribes of Yisra’el is if he was born into the Tribe of YaHuWDaH!
In Romans 2:26-29, the Apostle Sha’ul (Paul) explained that we are part of the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah) when our hearts are circumcised, and we obey Towrah. Being a Yahuwdiy (Jew) is not merely about ethnicity or following a religion.
Being a Yahuwdiy (Jew) is about sojourning with the Messiah himself who is a Yahuwdiy (Jew). This qualifies us to join his tribe, just as Ruth joined the Tribe of Yahwudah when she “sojourned” to Bethlehem-Judah with her mother-in-law, Naomi.
When Ruth “sojourned” to the House of Judah, she joined the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah) without joining a Jewish Synagogue. In modern-day Judaism, they say that a Gentile must become a “Jew” by joining a man-made religious system under a Rabbi. But that is not what the scriptures teach us at all.
According to Ezekiel 47:22, any stranger or Gentile could “sojourn” (walk with) any tribe of their choosing, and they would then become a part of that tribe as “one who is home-born” into that tribe. He would then be treated as a natural-born member of that tribe and he/she would qualify to inherit land from that tribe as well.
Being a Yahuwdiy (Jew) is about sojourning with the Messiah himself who is a Yahuwdiy (Jew). This qualifies us to join his tribe, just as Ruth joined the Tribe of Yahwudah when she “sojourned” to Bethlehem-Judah with her mother-in-law, Naomi.
When Ruth “sojourned” to the House of Judah, she joined the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah) without joining a Jewish Synagogue. In modern-day Judaism, they say that a Gentile must become a “Jew” by joining a man-made religious system under a Rabbi. But that is not what the scriptures teach us at all.
According to Ezekiel 47:22, any stranger or Gentile could “sojourn” (walk with) any tribe of their choosing, and they would then become a part of that tribe as “one who is home-born” into that tribe. He would then be treated as a natural-born member of that tribe and he/she would qualify to inherit land from that tribe as well.
This is how Ruth (a Gentile) was able to be married to Boaz (a Jew). It says in the Towrah that a Moabite may not enter the congregation of Yisra’el to the tenth generation.
This is because of the evil that the Moabites committed against Yisra’el when they were in the wilderness:
This is because of the evil that the Moabites committed against Yisra’el when they were in the wilderness:
Debariym (Deuteronomy) 23:
3 An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of YHWH; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of YHWH for ever:
4 Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when you came forth out of Mitzrayim (Egypt); and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you.
As you can see, it would have been unlawful for Boaz (a Jew) to marry Ruth (a Moabite), so how was this possible? It is because Ruth “crossed over” and she converted! She became a Yahuwdiy (Jew) simply by sojourning with a Yahuwdiy (Jew)! Ruth became the ancestor of our Messiah Yahuwshuwa, therefore, she was “in Messiah” even though he had not been born yet. Ruth was had the seed of the Messiah in her! Her family member was yet in eternity! Sha’ul (Paul) wrote the following:
2nd Qorintiym (Corinthians) 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Mashiyach (Messiah), he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Ruth was no longer a Moabite once she chose to “sojourn” with a member of the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah). Therefore, she was able to join the tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah) from where our Messiah was born into!
Yechezqel (Ezekiel) 47:
22 And it shall come to pass, that you shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Yisra’el; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Yisra’el.
23 And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourns, there shall you give him his inheritance, says YHWH Elohiym.
The bride of Messiah must join the tribe of her husband, just like Ruth who went to Bethlehem-Judah with Naomi as she “sojourned” with her. Ruth was able to join the Tribe of Judah, because she made the declaration to Naomi:
Ruth 1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave you, or to return from following after you: for wherever you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge: your people shall be my people, and your Elohiym my Elohiym.
See the blog entitled “The Father & the Son Seen in Judah the Kinsmen Redeemer.”
Ruth 1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave you, or to return from following after you: for wherever you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge: your people shall be my people, and your Elohiym my Elohiym.
See the blog entitled “The Father & the Son Seen in Judah the Kinsmen Redeemer.”
Ruth is a prophetic picture of the nation of Yisra’el who had become a widow. She had no hope of ever being married to the Melchizedek Priest from Yahuwdah (Judah) again, unless, he died for her and thereby made it possible for her to return to him! And that is exactly what happened!
Now we know what was “abolished!” Ruth’s first husband (from Judah) died, and was symbolic of the crucified Messiah. But when she married Boaz, it was like she was marrying the resurrected Messiah, who is also from Judah!
The veil that covered the face of Mosheh was a protective covering that would prevent Yisra’el from dying when coming into the presence of YaHuWaH.
This veil was the very same thing as the Temple Veil which separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. This prevented the nation of Yisra’el from being allowed to be married to Melchizedek again. She was only allowed to be married to the earthly priesthood of the Levites.
This is why John the Baptist had to die. He represented the High Priests of the Sons of Aaron. When our Messiah was baptized by John in the Jordan River, the role of the High Priest was being transferred back to the Priesthood of Melchizedek! When his body was torn, that indicated that the “Law of Divorce was abolished!”
Now we know what was “abolished!” Ruth’s first husband (from Judah) died, and was symbolic of the crucified Messiah. But when she married Boaz, it was like she was marrying the resurrected Messiah, who is also from Judah!
The veil that covered the face of Mosheh was a protective covering that would prevent Yisra’el from dying when coming into the presence of YaHuWaH.
This veil was the very same thing as the Temple Veil which separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. This prevented the nation of Yisra’el from being allowed to be married to Melchizedek again. She was only allowed to be married to the earthly priesthood of the Levites.
This is why John the Baptist had to die. He represented the High Priests of the Sons of Aaron. When our Messiah was baptized by John in the Jordan River, the role of the High Priest was being transferred back to the Priesthood of Melchizedek! When his body was torn, that indicated that the “Law of Divorce was abolished!”
The law which prevented Yisra’el from being married to her first husband is the only thing that was abolished---in other words the “veil” which separated her from her kinsmen redeemer was removed!
This is why Tamar wore a “veil” on her face when she met with Yahuwdah (Judah). After she became pregnant with his twins, she removed the veil!
Judah symbolizes the Melchizedek Priesthood of Messiah, and Tamar represents the widowed wife, Yisra’el whose “veil” separated her from him. Tamar disguised herself as a harlot, because Yisra’el committed harlotry with the molten calf. However, once she became pregnant Judah, (who symbolizes the Melchizedek Priest) she was legally his wife again!
This was the “veil” that was abolished (the last will and testament) was the “law of divorce” which kept Yisra’el “blinded, veiled, hidden” from her husband!
All of these types and shadows point us to “Yom Kippur” typology, as the nick-name for the Day of Atonement is called “face-to-face.” It is when the High Priest came “face-to-face” behind the veil in the Holy of Holies to meet YaHuWaH.
It is also the day when our Messiah will marry Yisra’el again when he returns on the Day of Atonement in Revelation 19. The “veil” will be removed from the face of the bride, and she will finally see him “face-to-face” as she will look upon him whom she has pierced (Zechariah 12:10).
This is why Tamar wore a “veil” on her face when she met with Yahuwdah (Judah). After she became pregnant with his twins, she removed the veil!
Judah symbolizes the Melchizedek Priesthood of Messiah, and Tamar represents the widowed wife, Yisra’el whose “veil” separated her from him. Tamar disguised herself as a harlot, because Yisra’el committed harlotry with the molten calf. However, once she became pregnant Judah, (who symbolizes the Melchizedek Priest) she was legally his wife again!
This was the “veil” that was abolished (the last will and testament) was the “law of divorce” which kept Yisra’el “blinded, veiled, hidden” from her husband!
All of these types and shadows point us to “Yom Kippur” typology, as the nick-name for the Day of Atonement is called “face-to-face.” It is when the High Priest came “face-to-face” behind the veil in the Holy of Holies to meet YaHuWaH.
It is also the day when our Messiah will marry Yisra’el again when he returns on the Day of Atonement in Revelation 19. The “veil” will be removed from the face of the bride, and she will finally see him “face-to-face” as she will look upon him whom she has pierced (Zechariah 12:10).
What was the purpose of the Mosaic Law? It was the schoolmaster (Galatians 3:24-25), the temporary husband to bring the bride to her bridegroom again. In an ancient Hebrew wedding custom, the father of the bride gives her away to the bridegroom. Her father represents Mosheh (Moses) who is the temporary custodian until she is given to the bridegroom forever. The Towrah was meant to escort the bride to the Melchizedek Priest, Yahuwshuwa the Messiah.
However, has the bride been presented to her bridegroom yet? No! In Revelation 19:7, “The marriage supper of the Lamb” will take place at the second coming of Messiah! And who will prepare the bride in the meantime to help her become a spotless bride? Who will judge the five wise virgins, and the five foolish to determine their worthiness to be the bride? Listen to what our Messiah said:
Yahuwchanon (John) 5:
45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuses you, even Mosheh (Moses), in whom you trust.
46 For had you believed Mosheh (Moses), you would have believed me; for he wrote of me.
Aha! Now we see that if Mosheh (Moses) wrote of our Messiah then it is the Towrah (Mosaic Law) that will judge us! We must be able to see our Messiah in the Towrah or else it is of no use to us!
Now that brings us to this often-times misquoted, and misunderstood letter by the Apostle Sha’uwl (Paul) which I will explain in detail below.
2nd Qorintiym (Corinthians) 3:9 For if the administration of condemnation be glory, much more does the administration of righteousness exceed in glory.
However, has the bride been presented to her bridegroom yet? No! In Revelation 19:7, “The marriage supper of the Lamb” will take place at the second coming of Messiah! And who will prepare the bride in the meantime to help her become a spotless bride? Who will judge the five wise virgins, and the five foolish to determine their worthiness to be the bride? Listen to what our Messiah said:
Yahuwchanon (John) 5:
45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuses you, even Mosheh (Moses), in whom you trust.
46 For had you believed Mosheh (Moses), you would have believed me; for he wrote of me.
Aha! Now we see that if Mosheh (Moses) wrote of our Messiah then it is the Towrah (Mosaic Law) that will judge us! We must be able to see our Messiah in the Towrah or else it is of no use to us!
Now that brings us to this often-times misquoted, and misunderstood letter by the Apostle Sha’uwl (Paul) which I will explain in detail below.
2nd Qorintiym (Corinthians) 3:9 For if the administration of condemnation be glory, much more does the administration of righteousness exceed in glory.
*Note: What administration is being spoken of here? The original administration was Melchizedek in eternity. Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek (Hebrews 7 & Genesis 14).
This was “The law that was added because of transgression” (Galatians 3:19).
Aaron was the one who caused the nation of Yisra’el to sin with the molten calf in the first place.
When Mosheh (Moses) presented the first set of stone tablets as the written marriage agreement to the nation of Yisra’el, he came down from Mount Sinai, and found them committing spiritual adultery. They had just taken vows on Mount Sinai in Exodus 19, and they agreed to obey their new husband, YaHuWaH.
Mosheh, then broke the stone tablets as a symbol of our Messiah, who would later on be broken on the cross for us. His body would later on symbolize the Mosaic Law in its corruptible form (in stone or in the letter). But when our Messiah resurrected, the same Law was resurrected with him! The very same Towrah (Law) is with us now in a different form called “The law of the Spirit of life,” and this law actually frees us from another law called “The law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-4). Mosheh went up to Mount Sinai a second time around (Exodus 34), and this time, he received a “New Covenant” with the very same laws written on it!
This time, (rather than being broken), the same laws were deposited into the “Ark of the Covenant” made of incorruptible wood, called “shittim wood.” And what is this a prophetic picture of? It is a picture of a new nature that we receive when we are born-again of incorruptible seed! Those very same laws are then deposited (written) into our hearts and minds in the very same way that they were deposited into the ark!
Mosheh then transferred the role of the High Priest to the sons of Aaron after the great transgression in the wilderness, but this was a temporary ordinance until the “seed should come” (Messiah).
But why did he do this?
Because the only way Aaron and his descendants could live, and not die (as a result of his transgression with the molten calf), is if they offered their lives as a ransom year-by-year for the nation on Yom Kippur!
The sons of Aaron were a priesthood of mortal men who could die behind the veil each year if they had not sufficiently atoned for their own sins.
Consequently, they were risking their lives by taking on the office of High Priests. The entire nation depended on the High Priest each year to atone for them. The office of the High Priest (Kohen haGadowl) was the role of the “kinsmen redeemer.” That role belonged to the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah) in eternity, because Melchizedek comes from the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah), see Hebrews 7:14.
However, after the nation of Yisra’el sinned with the molten calf, the only tribe who stood for YaHuWaH and his righteous standards were the Levites. Consequently, they became the only tribe of priests. Whereas, YaHuWaH originally wanted the entire nation to be a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6).
Our Messiah has restored the entire nation to a kingdom of priests again after the order of Melchizedek. This is why Yahuwshuwa had to be born into the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah), because the scepter to rule as a king & priest was established in the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah) according to the prophecy of Ya’aqob (Jacob) over his son Yahuwdah (Judah) in Genesis 49:10.
Paul’s letter is speaking of the administration of the earthly priesthood of Levites as being the “old administration.” But the “new administration” is permanent, because it has a High Priest with an “endless life” who never dies!
Because the only way Aaron and his descendants could live, and not die (as a result of his transgression with the molten calf), is if they offered their lives as a ransom year-by-year for the nation on Yom Kippur!
The sons of Aaron were a priesthood of mortal men who could die behind the veil each year if they had not sufficiently atoned for their own sins.
Consequently, they were risking their lives by taking on the office of High Priests. The entire nation depended on the High Priest each year to atone for them. The office of the High Priest (Kohen haGadowl) was the role of the “kinsmen redeemer.” That role belonged to the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah) in eternity, because Melchizedek comes from the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah), see Hebrews 7:14.
However, after the nation of Yisra’el sinned with the molten calf, the only tribe who stood for YaHuWaH and his righteous standards were the Levites. Consequently, they became the only tribe of priests. Whereas, YaHuWaH originally wanted the entire nation to be a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6).
Our Messiah has restored the entire nation to a kingdom of priests again after the order of Melchizedek. This is why Yahuwshuwa had to be born into the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah), because the scepter to rule as a king & priest was established in the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah) according to the prophecy of Ya’aqob (Jacob) over his son Yahuwdah (Judah) in Genesis 49:10.
Paul’s letter is speaking of the administration of the earthly priesthood of Levites as being the “old administration.” But the “new administration” is permanent, because it has a High Priest with an “endless life” who never dies!
Those of us who are recipients of the Renewed Covenant are called a “royal priesthood” in 2nd Keefa (Peter) 2:9. We are going to be made “kings & priests” in the new millennium when we are resurrected, and we put in incorruption (Revelation 1:6 & 5:10). Therefore, we are able to appropriate the permanent atonement of the blood of the Lamb (Messiah) when we intercede as priests after the order of Melchizedek!
2nd Qorintiym (Corinthians) 3:
10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excels.
11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remains is glorious.
*Note: What was done away with? The Mosaic Law (Towrah)? NO! For if that were the case, Sha’uwl (Paul) would be in complete contradiction to our Messiah’s words in Matthew 5:17-19 when he declared that the Towrah (Mosaic Law) is still in effect until heaven & earth passes away. And if Sha’uwl (Paul) was truly teaching this, then we would have to deem him a false prophet for speaking against our Messiah’s words. So what was done away with?
It was the “old administration” of the High Priests after the sons of Aaron! The new High Priesthood is after the order of Melchizedek with Yahuwshuwa Messiah as our permanent High Priest. He offered up once-and-for-all his own blood, and there is no longer a need for the Levitical High Priests who once per year would sprinkle the blood of bulls and goats on the mercy seat every Yom Kippur.
2nd Qorintiym (Corinthians) 3:
12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
13 And not as Mosheh, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Yisra’el could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Messiah.
*Note: What was the veil over the face of Moses? Was it the “Old Testament” that caused the children of Yisra’el to have a veil over their faces? NO! Continue to read, and you will see that the veil that was over their hearts was a foreskin that had not been removed yet! Their hearts were uncircumcised, therefore, they still have a veil over their hearts, (and thus blinded). Because of their uncircumcised hearts, they do not understand the Old Testament (the terms of the marriage contract).
It was because of their minds being blinded to the Old Testament (the written marriage covenant) that they were not able to see the revelation of Messiah in the TaNaKh (Old Testament) writings! But that veil is taken away when they accept Yahuwshuwa as their Messiah! So you see, it is not the “Old Testament” scriptures that puts a veil over their eyes, but it is their “unbelief” that makes them blinded to the Messiah!
Many Christians have erroneously concluded that the “Old Testament” is what puts the veil over their eyes. However, Paul is saying just the opposite!
It is when we are in unbelief, that we are unable to read the scriptures in the proper context, and thus receive the revelation that is meant to be received from reading the Tanakh (Old Testament)!
Therefore, it is not just the Jewish people, nor is it only the Gentiles who are blinded!
Does it say that the Jews are blinded? No!
Paul said in his generation, that “ALL ISRAEL ARE BLINDED IN PART!”
And who does that include? The Christian Church! While Jews are blinded to who their Messiah is, Christians are blinded to the Mosaic Law, Towrah! They are falsely taught that the Mosaic Law is done away with!
Both camps (Christians & Jews) are blinded in part! Christians cannot see that the “Old Testament” is the original marriage covenant that our Messiah came to ratify, and renew, thereby sealing it with his own blood. Jews are blinded in part to who their Messiah is.
2nd Qorintiym (Corinthians) 3:
15 But even unto this day, when Mosheh is read, the veil is upon their heart.
16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to YHWH, the veil shall be taken away.
*Note: Aha! Now we get what Paul is saying! He is saying that when Mosheh (Moses) is read there is a veil (foreskin) over their hearts so that the words do not penetrate into their hearts! This is also talking about Christians who do not understand the Towrah, because there is still a veil over their hearts! Their hearts are still uncircumcised!
In Yirmeyahuw (Jeremiah) 31:31-33, who does YaHuWaH make a covenant with? Only the Jews? Only the Christians? It says that he makes a New Covenant with both Houses of Yisra’el! He says “I will make a New Covenant with the House of Yisra’el & the House of Judah (Jews).”
In other words, Christians don’t see the Towrah as their written marriage agreement, and Jews who do not see the Messiah as the one who ratifies the marriage covenant.
He has made both houses one, and he has renewed the marriage agreement in his own blood! The Hebrew word in Yirmeyahuw (Jeremiah) 31:31 for “new” is “chadash” which means: “to renew, rebuild and to repair.”
Our Messiah came to renew, rebuild and repair the broken marriage contract between Yisra’el and YaHuWaH! This includes Christians who are the wild grafted branches into the natural branches of Yisra’el!
2nd Qorintiym (Corinthians) 3:
17 Now YHWH is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of YHWH is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of YHWH, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of YHWH.
*Note: Here Sha’uwl (Paul) is reiterating the words of James the Apostle when he calls the Towrah “The perfect law of liberty.”
Ya’aqob (James) 1:25 But whoso looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Here, Ya’aqob (James) describes the Towrah (Old Testament) as the perfect law that brings liberty, when we have the Holy Spirit in us! It cannot give us liberty until we have the Holy Spirit, for when our Messiah removes the veil (foreskin) from our hearts and minds, we can then have the perfect law (Towrah) written in our hearts and minds!
This is what the New Covenant is! The Old Testament Scriptures (the written marriage agreement) was always meant to change us into the image and glory of YaHuWaH. However, we were unable to receive it into our hearts until the veil (the foreskin) was removed from our hearts!
Once the veil is removed, our hearts are circumcised by the Holy Spirit. Only then can we read the Old Testament Scriptures (The Tanakh) with new eyes to see, and to fully understand what it means!
The renewed marriage agreement cannot be written into our hearts until the “veil” or the foreskin of the heart is removed:
Debariym (Deuteronomy) 30:6 And YHWH your Elohiym will circumcise your heart, and the heart of your seed, to love YHWH your Elohiym with all your heart, and with all your soul, that you may live.
Debariym (Deuteronomy) 10:16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
Here, the Apostle Sha’uwl (Paul) explains that circumcision outwardly in the flesh only profits when we obey the Towrah (marriage covenant). But if we do not obey the marriage covenant then the circumcision serves no purpose. For outward circumcision is meant to point to another type of circumcision which is circumcision of the heart:
Romiym (Romans) 2:
25 For circumcision verily profits, if you keep the Towrah (Law): but if you be a breaker of the law, your circumcision is made uncircumcision.
26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the Towrah (Law), shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the Towrah (Law), judge you, who by the letter and circumcision does transgress the Towrah (Law)?
28 For he is not a Yahuwdiy (Jew), which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Yahuwdiy (Jew), which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of Elohiym.
Aha! Now we find out that if our hearts are circumcised by the Holy Spirit (the foreskin is removed) then the Towrah (Mosaic Law) or the marriage covenant now finds its way into our hearts because the veil is removed!
Who did YaHuWaH make this covenant with? Only the Jewish people? Or did he make a covenant to the entire House of Yisra’el to include the grafted branches?
Yirmeyahuw (Jeremiah) 31:
31 Behold, the days come, says YHWH, that I will make a new (renewed) covenant with the house of Yisra’el, and with the house of Yahuwdah (Judah):
32 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 broke, although I was an husband unto them, says YHWH.
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Yisra’el; After those days, says YHWH, I will put my Towrah (Law) in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their Elohiym, and they shall be my people.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 10:
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says YHWH, I will put my Towrah (Laws) into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
In conclusion, we can see that Paul was telling us that the “veil” is the foreskin of our hearts, and this is what prevents us from seeing our Messiah for who he really is. The Jews (for the most part) have failed to recognize Yahuwshuwa as their Messiah. However, the Church fails to recognize that he has given them the very same Mosaic Law in a different form which is called “The Perfect Law of Liberty” (James 1:25), and “The Law of the Spirit of Life” (Romans 8:2-4).
Both groups are blinded in part at the reading of the “Old Testament.” Christians reject the Towrah (their marriage covenant), and Jews reject their bridegroom (Messiah) who is the Living Towrah come in the flesh!
Here, the Apostle Sha’uwl (Paul) explains that circumcision outwardly in the flesh only profits when we obey the Towrah (marriage covenant). But if we do not obey the marriage covenant then the circumcision serves no purpose. For outward circumcision is meant to point to another type of circumcision which is circumcision of the heart:
Romiym (Romans) 2:
25 For circumcision verily profits, if you keep the Towrah (Law): but if you be a breaker of the law, your circumcision is made uncircumcision.
26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the Towrah (Law), shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the Towrah (Law), judge you, who by the letter and circumcision does transgress the Towrah (Law)?
28 For he is not a Yahuwdiy (Jew), which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Yahuwdiy (Jew), which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of Elohiym.
Aha! Now we find out that if our hearts are circumcised by the Holy Spirit (the foreskin is removed) then the Towrah (Mosaic Law) or the marriage covenant now finds its way into our hearts because the veil is removed!
Who did YaHuWaH make this covenant with? Only the Jewish people? Or did he make a covenant to the entire House of Yisra’el to include the grafted branches?
Yirmeyahuw (Jeremiah) 31:
31 Behold, the days come, says YHWH, that I will make a new (renewed) covenant with the house of Yisra’el, and with the house of Yahuwdah (Judah):
32 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 broke, although I was an husband unto them, says YHWH.
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Yisra’el; After those days, says YHWH, I will put my Towrah (Law) in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their Elohiym, and they shall be my people.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 10:
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says YHWH, I will put my Towrah (Laws) into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
In conclusion, we can see that Paul was telling us that the “veil” is the foreskin of our hearts, and this is what prevents us from seeing our Messiah for who he really is. The Jews (for the most part) have failed to recognize Yahuwshuwa as their Messiah. However, the Church fails to recognize that he has given them the very same Mosaic Law in a different form which is called “The Perfect Law of Liberty” (James 1:25), and “The Law of the Spirit of Life” (Romans 8:2-4).
Both groups are blinded in part at the reading of the “Old Testament.” Christians reject the Towrah (their marriage covenant), and Jews reject their bridegroom (Messiah) who is the Living Towrah come in the flesh!