By Maria Merola
Paul also explains in his letter to the Galatians, that there was one specific “law” that was “added because of transgression.” Which law was added because of transgression?
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 1:
The same Towrah commandments (laws) apply under the New/Renewed Covenant, as with the first covenant. The only laws that were “Added because of transgression” (Galatians 3:19), were the laws surrounding blood atonement on Yom Kippur, and the laws surrounding the role of the Kohen ha’Gadowl (High Priest). Thus, the only law that “changed” in Hebrews 7:12 was the law that made mortal men into High Priests for Yom Kippur each year.
No Longer Under the Law of Divorce
The House of Yahuwdah (Judah), (to this day), tend to reject the concept of the “Two Houses of Yisra’el,” simply because they are only applying the “letter” of the Towrah (Law). However, they are forgetting to apply the “spirit” of the words of the Prophets. This is why our Messiah taught that we must worship the Father in “spirit & truth” (John 4:24).
Which Law Are We No Longer Under?
The prophet Ezekiel, was shown that the House of Yahuwdah (Judah) were bringing pagan sun-god worship into the Temple! In Ezekiel 8:14, the women were weeping for the reincarnated sun-god of Nimrod named Tammuz. In Ezekiel 8:16, they had turned their backs towards the Temple, and they were worshiping the sun-god! In Ezekiel 8:17 they were “putting the branch to the nose,” which is mistletoe! You see, this was done in honor of Nimrod (and his alleged reincarnated son, Tammuz), who was “Cut down like a tree... and like an abominable branch” (Isaiah 14:12-19).
After the Yahuwdiym (Jews) came out of Babylonian Captivity (years later), they returned back to their land in Jerusalem. At first, they had deeply repented for their abominations (which caused them to be taken captive in the first place). But soon, the Babylonian customs they had learned (while in exile), began to creep into their worship of YaHuWaH.
This is why our Messiah rebuked the religious leaders of his day. Listen to what he said to them:
Marqos (Mark) 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well you reject the commandment of Elohiym, that you may keep your own tradition.
Aha! Now can see how the Laws of our Creator were gradually exchanged for the DOCTRINES & COMMANDMENTS OF MEN! And today we see that the Roman Catholic Church & Protestantism have done the very same thing with our Heavenly Father’s Towrah!
We must be able to distinguish in many of his letters, when Sha’uwl (Paul) was speaking about the Laws of Pharisaism (man-made laws) or the Towrah (our Creator’s laws).
You see, in the days of Sha’uwl (Paul) the Apostle, the term “under the law” meant that you were “under rabbinic law.”
Ma’aseh Shlichiym (Acts) 23:6 “....I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.”
Pilippiym (Philippians) 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Yisra’el, of the tribe of Benyamiyn (Benjamin), an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee.
But does that mean that the other laws have been done away with? Absolutely not! The only law that actually changed (as a result of Messiah dying on the tree), was the law that made mortal men into High Priests. We are still “under the law of Messiah,” which is the same Towrah that he gave to us through Moses!
Another Context of “Under the Law.”
We have read that the term “under the law” meant to be under Rabbinic or Levitical authority. The Apostle Sha’uwl (Paul) illustrated this when he said that “he became as one under the law,” so that he might win those who are “under the law.”
In this context, it would appear that he is referring to coming under Rabbinic authority, because if he meant this in a different context (as I am about to explain), he would appear to be saying that he was placing himself “under the penalty of the law,” as if he was a sinner or a law-breaker. And we know that is not what he was saying. So, let’s take a look at this phrase “under the law” in a different way.
Notice what Paul says before he says “You are not under the law.” He says “For sin shall not have dominion over you...” But what exactly is sin?
Notice the man behind prison bars. He is “under the law” because he is under the penalty of the law. Why? Because he broke the law!
If I get pulled over by a police officer (because I am traveling 45 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone), I am “under the law,” because I have violated it. Therefore, I am subject to it. But if I plead with the officer to give me grace, (because I did not realize that I was speeding), he may give me grace, because he understands that I was not deliberately trying to break the law.
He may give me a warning, and let me go. But if this continues to be a pattern (where I get pulled over again by that same officer, in the same location), he will know that I am speeding on purpose, and he probably won’t give me grace again.
© Copyright Double Portion Inheritance, October 22, 2009
Frequently I hear Christians quoting a familiar Bible passage from Romans 6:14 “For you are not under the law, but under grace.”
But seldom do you hear them quote the very next verse where the Apostle Sha’uwl (Paul) declares:
Romiym (Romans) 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? Elohiym forbid.
If we are under no obligation to obey the Towrah (law) as many Christians suppose, then why did Paul go on to ask this rhetorical question in the very next verse? “Shall we sin because we are not under the law, but under grace?” Obviously Paul knew the true definition of sin according to the scriptures:
1st Yahuwchanon (John) 3:4 Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the Towrah (law): for sin is the transgression of the Towrah (law).
The Apostle John wrote that sin is the transgression of the law, and Paul wrote that we should not sin (transgress the law) just because we are under grace. At first glance, it would seem that Paul was contradicting himself, and the rest of scripture, but he is not.
When reading the entire book of Romans (in context), we begin to understand that Paul is taking us back to the original transgression of the marriage covenant with the molten calf on Mount Sinai. The first time that the nation of Yisra’el transgressed the marriage covenant (the law) was in Exodus 32.
Paul also explains in his letter to the Galatians, that there was one specific “law” that was “added because of transgression.” Which law was added because of transgression?
Galatiym (Galatians) 3:19 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.
When was the first time that somebody transgressed the law, or the instructions of our Creator? You see, the word Towrah (law) in Hebrew means “instructions.”
Long before Yisra’el sinned on Mount Sinai with the molten calf, someone else committed a transgression, when they were instructed not to do something and they disobeyed. Who was it? You guessed it! Adam & Eve!
YaHuWaH gave Adam & Chawah (Eve) one simple commandment:
16 And YHWH Elohiym commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden you mayest freely eat:
17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die.
And we know what happened after this. Adam & Eve both transgressed this one commandment. And what did YaHuWaH have to do because of their transgression? YaHuWaH himself came down as their High Priest (Melchizedek), and he made a sacrifice for them:
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did YHWH Elohiym make coats of skins, and clothed them.
This was more than likely on Yom Kippur, aka The Day of Atonement. You see, the word kippur comes from another root word kaphar which means “To cover, to make atonement.”
When Yah made “coverings” (skins, coats), for Adam & Eve, he was illustrating Yom Kippur typology! This was the law that was “Added because of transgression.” The laws pertaining to blood atonement sacrifices were added because of the transgression of Adam & Eve.
However, not all animal sacrifices in the Bible were done for sin. There are many other animal sacrifices that are done for thanksgiving and worship. But the only laws that were added because of transgression, were those that pertain to blood atonement on Yom Kippur.
Yahuwshuwa was the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8), and this means that he was always that sacrifice in eternity. When blood atonement was made (down here on earth through the Levites), it was being done as a shadow picture of the lamb slain in eternity, until the Messiah came to “flesh it out” for us, here on earth.
The first Adam was given the role of the High Priest in the Garden of Eden, but he failed. It then became necessary for YaHuWaH himself to come as “The son of Adam” or “The son of man.”
However, not all animal sacrifices in the Bible were done for sin. There are many other animal sacrifices that are done for thanksgiving and worship. But the only laws that were added because of transgression, were those that pertain to blood atonement on Yom Kippur.
Yahuwshuwa was the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8), and this means that he was always that sacrifice in eternity. When blood atonement was made (down here on earth through the Levites), it was being done as a shadow picture of the lamb slain in eternity, until the Messiah came to “flesh it out” for us, here on earth.
The first Adam was given the role of the High Priest in the Garden of Eden, but he failed. It then became necessary for YaHuWaH himself to come as “The son of Adam” or “The son of man.”
The Hebrew word for “man” is Adam. When our Messiah continually made reference to himself as “The son of man,” he was letting us know that he was the Creator himself who came in the role of “The last Adam.”
1st Qorintiym (Corinthians) 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
In order for mankind to be redeemed, our Messiah had to fulfill the role of the twin goats on Yom Kippur, which would then redeem all of humanity, back to our original position in the Melchizedek Priesthood (for which each of us were originally created):
1st Keefa (Peter) 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should shew forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Thus, our Messiah began his ministry at the age of 30 years old (on Yom Kippur when he went into the Synagogue) and read the scroll from Isaiah 61. When we read this account in Luke, we must realize that he was speaking in “Yom Kippur & Jubilee” terminology:
Why did Mosheh (Moses) hand over that role of the “Kohen ha’Gadowl” to the sons of Aharown (Aaron) instead of to the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah) from where the Melchizedek Priesthood came?
It was because Aaron was the originator of this transgression. He was the one who caused Yisra’el to sin in the first place with the golden calf!
You see, if the red ribbon turned white and the white stone came up, that meant that the nation was “accepted” by YaHuWaH that year on Yom Kippur. It meant that their High Priest had atoned for his own sins and then he would have been a proper vessel to atone for the nation.
That is why they would have been “accepted” by the Father in heaven. But if the High Priest did not sanctify himself, then he was not fit to atone for the nation either and then he would have died behind the veil and they were “not accepted” that year!
When our Messiah declared “The Acceptable Year of YaHuWaH” he was essentially saying to them:
“I am now your High Priest, your kinsman redeemer, your husband, after the order of Melchizedek, and you are accepted because I have made atonement for you in eternity as the lamb slain from the foundation of the world!”
1st Qorintiym (Corinthians) 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
In order for mankind to be redeemed, our Messiah had to fulfill the role of the twin goats on Yom Kippur, which would then redeem all of humanity, back to our original position in the Melchizedek Priesthood (for which each of us were originally created):
1st Keefa (Peter) 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should shew forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Thus, our Messiah began his ministry at the age of 30 years old (on Yom Kippur when he went into the Synagogue) and read the scroll from Isaiah 61. When we read this account in Luke, we must realize that he was speaking in “Yom Kippur & Jubilee” terminology:
Luqas (Luke) 4:
14 And Yahuwshuwa returned in the power of the Ruwach (Spirit) into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.
15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.
16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Yeshayahuw (Isaiah). And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
18 The Spirit of YHWH is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the besowrah (gospel) to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of YHWH.
20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
You see, the function of the High Priest (Kohen ha’Gadowl) each year on Yom Kippur was to act as the “kinsman redeemer” for the nation. The High Priest represented the “husband” of the bride (Yisra’el), and only he could “stand in the gap” for her, making atonement for her sins year-by-year.
This explains why in Romans chapter 7, Paul wrote the following:
Romiym (Romans) 7:1 Know you not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the Towrah/law,) how that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?
Romiym (Romans) 7:2 For the woman which has a husband is bound by the Towrah/law to her husband so long as he lives; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the Towrah/law of her husband.
*Explanation: The “law” that is being spoken of in Romans 7:2 is from Deuteronomy 24, “The Law of Divorce.” This means that a divorced woman may never return to her first husband. However, she may remarry another, only after he serves her the legal documents to her.
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 [Deuteronomy 24]; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
Romiym 7:4 (Romans) 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, you also are become DEAD TO THE LAW [of divorce] by the body of 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.
*Explanation: Just like Tamar in Genesis 38 (who had become a widow twice), Yisra’el was first married to YaHuWaH on Mount Sinai. Figuratively, his role as her kinsman redeemer and husband “died” when they sinned with the golden calf. When our Messiah came to die on behalf of the nation, they killed him also.
Therefore, Yisra’el became a barren widow with no son, or heir so that she could inherit her land (Isaiah 54:1). When the sons of Aaron stepped in as as “The Schoolmaster” (Galatians 3:24-25), they were made up of mortal human beings who would eventually die. Thus, Yahuwchanon (John) the Baptist had to die, so that Yisra’el could be married to another, the Risen Messiah!
I highly recommend reading my other blog entitled: “The Father & the Son Seen in Judah, the Kinsman Redeemer.”
The Meaning of Yom Kippur
The timing of Yom Kippur relates to the experience of Yisra’el at Mount Sinai. On the first feast of Shabuwoth (Pentecost) in the third month of Year One (50 days after leaving Egypt at Passover), Elohiym came down on Mount Sinai and spoke the Ten Dabaryim (words) to Yisra’el (Exodus 19-20).
Then he called Mosheh (Moses) up the mountain for 40 days, where he revealed the rest of the Towrah (Law) to Mosheh; but at this time Yisra’el was only required to keep the three pilgrim festivals (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles – Exodus 23:14-17; see Deuteronomy 9:6-11). At the end of this time, Elohiym gave Mosheh the two stone tablets. Mosheh came down the mountain and saw that Yisra’el had already sinned by making a molten calf.
He broke the tablets in his anger, and then for a second period of 40 days he fasted before Yah’s presence in the prayer tent he set up outside the camp, asking Elohiym to show mercy on Yisra’el (Exodus 32-33; Deuteronomy 9:12-29).
Finally, Yah agreed to forgive Yisra’el and re-make the broken covenant. He told Mosheh to come back up Mount Sinai and bring with him two new stone tablets, and Elohiym would renew his covenant with Yisra’el.
For a third period of 40 days on the mountain, Elohiym gave more revelation to Moses, and again wrote the Ten Dabariym on the new stone tablets (Exodus 34; Deuteronomy 10:1-11). When Mosheh came down the mountain this time, his face was shining so brightly that he had to cover his face with a veil. Counting off three periods of 40 days from Shabuwoth (Pentecost), it appears that Mosheh came back down the mountain at the time of the Day of Atonement, the tenth day of the seventh month.
The tabernacle was built over the next six months, and then at the start of Yisra’el’s Year Two in the wilderness, the new tabernacle and its priests were consecrated during the first week of the first month (Exodus 29:29-37; 40:1-33; Leviticus 8:21–9:1). During this time, two of Aharown’s (Aaron’s) sons were executed by Elohiym when they offered incense that was not permitted (Leviticus 10).
As a result, Elohiym commanded a new festival to be observed by all Yisra’el as a day of national Atonement (Leviticus 16; compare Numbers 29:7-11). The date chosen for this was the day when Mosheh had brought the new stone tablets down to Yisra’el, representing the renewed covenant Elohiym had made with Yisra’el.
There is a powerful significance to this timing for Yisra’el, and therefore for all nations. It has often been noticed how the specific requirements of this festival involve the high priest killing one goat and sending another goat outside the camp of Yisra’el bearing Yisra’el’s sin (both represent the Messiah), and also bringing the blood of the first goat and of a bull into the Most Holy Place to sprinkle on the “mercy seat” above the ark of the covenant (representing Yahuwshuwa bringing His own blood into Elohiym’s presence – Hebrews 9–10; 13:12).
These rituals on the Day of Atonement were extra, beyond all of the daily sacrifices for sin that Yisra’el was required to perform (Leviticus 1–7). Elohiym deliberately chose that the symbolic rituals for removing sin on the Day of Atonement should happen on the day that Mosheh came down from Mount Sinai with new tablets, his face shining with Yah’s glory.
In this way, He was revealing to Yisra’el that the time would come when the “Prophet Like Moses,” the Messiah, would make a new covenant with all of Yisra’el through his own blood, by sacrificing himself outside the city of Jerusalem to pay for the sins of his people. YaHuWaH then added one more very important ritual to this holiest day of the year.
In Leviticus 25, Elohiym commanded that after seven cycles of seven years, the fiftieth year was to be a “Jubilee” year, a year when all slaves were to be set free, and all people to return to their original family inheritance. The specific day on which this Jubilee year was to be proclaimed by blowing a ram’s horn was the tenth day of the seventh month, the Day of Atonement. Again, Elohiym was promising that when the Messiah made atonement for Yisra’el’s sin, he would also proclaim freedom for His enslaved people through the new covenant. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Messiah Yahuwshuwa has set you free from the Law of sin and of death” (Romans 8:2).
Yisra’el was married to YaHuWaH on Mount Sinai. However, after the incident with the golden calf, Moses broke the stone tablets to signify that they had broken the covenant, and therefore, YaHuWaH was no longer going to be their kinsman redeemer. Therefore, Yisra’el was going to be married to the High Priests from the Sons of Aaron, until “The Seed should come!”
The temporary role of the High Priesthood was handed down to the sons of Aharown (Aaron) after Yisra’el sinned with the molten calf in Exodus 32. After their transgression, “The law of the high priest,” was “Added because of transgression” (Galatians 3:19).
Following Korah’s rebellion against Moses and Aaron, the Almighty performed a miracle to confirm that Aaron and his descendants were chosen to minister before YaHuWaH’s presence. Twelve staffs were collected, (one from each tribe). The staff representing the tribe of Levi had Aaron’s name inscribed on it. All the twelve staffs were laid in the tabernacle in front of the ark of covenant overnight, and by the next morning Aaron’s staff “Had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds” (Numbers 17:8). Elohiym instructed Moses to place Aaron’s staff inside the ark as well, saying, “This will put an end to their grumbling against me” (verse 10).
In Exodus 29:9, Elohiym told Moses that the priesthood would belong to Aaron and his descendants by a lasting ordinance. Following Yah’s instructions, Aaron was made the high priest, and his family line continued to serve as priests until the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. Moses ordained Aaron and his sons, the new High Priests to minister on behalf of the nation every year for Yom Kippur. However, prior to that, the office of the High Priest for Yisra’el belonged to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18).
It was because Aaron was the originator of this transgression. He was the one who caused Yisra’el to sin in the first place with the golden calf!
Therefore, the only way that Aaron and his sons could live, is if they were the ones who gave their lives as a ransom for the nation!
Each year, when the High Priest performed the role of the kinsman redeemer on Yom Kippur, he had to first “sanctify himself” with the blood of a bullock, and then, he had to make a sacrifice for the nation of Yisra’el with the blood of a goat.
The bullock was killed to symbolize that “golden calf worship” was being killed. The goat was killed to symbolize Yisra’el being killed for her own sins after this transgression in Exodus 32. This act was to remind them year-by-year about the “great transgression” in the wilderness (Psalm 19:13) which they would never again want to repeat.
The bullock was killed to symbolize that “golden calf worship” was being killed. The goat was killed to symbolize Yisra’el being killed for her own sins after this transgression in Exodus 32. This act was to remind them year-by-year about the “great transgression” in the wilderness (Psalm 19:13) which they would never again want to repeat.
So you see, this “law” that made Levites (mortal men) into “High Priests” each year for Yom Kippur was now being changed when Messiah was immersed (baptized) by his cousin John (who was a Levite from the Sons of Aaron)!
Ibriym (Hebrews) 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 7:28 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.
Christians often take Hebrews 7:12 to mean that the ENTIRE MOSAIC LAW was now being changed, because our Messiah has become our eternal High Priest.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 7:28 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.
Christians often take Hebrews 7:12 to mean that the ENTIRE MOSAIC LAW was now being changed, because our Messiah has become our eternal High Priest.
Such logic would mean that all the moral laws against murder, homosexuality, incest, rape, and bestiality have now “changed,” and therefore, even the moral laws have been canceled. However, we learn by reading the entire book of Hebrews (in context), that the only law that “changed” was the law that made mortal men into High Priests.
Our Messiah came to restore the role of the High Priest (the husband and kinsman redeemer) back to the order of Melchizedek, from the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah). When Yahuwshuwa was baptized by Yahuwchanon (John), (who was a Levite), John was the “High Priest” in the eyes of YaHuWaH that year.
Our Messiah came to restore the role of the High Priest (the husband and kinsman redeemer) back to the order of Melchizedek, from the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah). When Yahuwshuwa was baptized by Yahuwchanon (John), (who was a Levite), John was the “High Priest” in the eyes of YaHuWaH that year.
Caiaphas was selected by men (an impostor). John was the temporary “High Priest” until the “seed” (Messiah) would come (Galatians 3:19). When John immersed Yahuwshuwa, he was transferring the role of the High Priest back to the order of Melchizedek! That is why John had to die!
The nation of Yisra’el had a custom of fasting for forty days leading up to Yom Kippur to commemorate when Mosheh was on Mount Sinai for forty days.
At the end of those forty days, Mosheh returned to find them in “transgression” with the molten calf. Mosheh then had to make atonement for them and that is when he instituted the “law” of the High Priests after the sons of Aaron.
This is the reason why the nation of Yisra’el to this day calls for “Forty days of teshuwa” or repentance. This is why Yahuwshuwa fasted for forty days leading up to Yom Kippur.
This is the reason why the nation of Yisra’el to this day calls for “Forty days of teshuwa” or repentance. This is why Yahuwshuwa fasted for forty days leading up to Yom Kippur.
He first fulfilled the role of the sacrificial goat at his immersion, since baptism is a symbol of death (Romans 6:4). Then he was lead into the wilderness as the scapegoat by the Ruwach ha’Qodesh (Holy Spirit).
The term scapegoat literally means “The innocent party who takes the place of the guilty party.”
The term scapegoat literally means “The innocent party who takes the place of the guilty party.”
When he emerged from the wilderness after his forty days of fasting, he went to the Temple and he read the Isaiah 61 scroll. In this passage he is showing them that he is the “Mashiyach,” the anointed one and he is declaring to them “The Acceptable year of YaHuWaH” which only the Kohen ha’Gadowl (High Priest) could announce each year on Yom Kippur!
That is why they would have been “accepted” by the Father in heaven. But if the High Priest did not sanctify himself, then he was not fit to atone for the nation either and then he would have died behind the veil and they were “not accepted” that year!
When our Messiah declared “The Acceptable Year of YaHuWaH” he was essentially saying to them:
Most Christians have erroneously been taught to believe that Paul’s message in Galatians 4 is about Yisra’el entering into two different marriage covenants with YaHuWaH.
Sha’uwl’s (Paul’s) letter to the Galatians explains that Yisra’el had entered into a marriage covenant with YaHuWaH on Mount Sinai. This was the covenant that “genders to freedom.”
Sha’uwl’s (Paul’s) letter to the Galatians explains that Yisra’el had entered into a marriage covenant with YaHuWaH on Mount Sinai. This was the covenant that “genders to freedom.”
However, while Moses was in the mountain, (receiving the written marriage covenant in stone tablets), they entered into a false covenant with the molten calf. This was the covenant that “genders to bondage.” Paul was not suggesting that the Mosaic Covenant was what placed them under bondage. Quite the contrary!
It was the false covenant that they entered into with the golden calf, (under the leadership of Aaron, as their High Priest), which brought them into bondage!
Therefore, YaHuWaH allowed the Sons of Aaron to continue in that role, “Until the seed should come.” (Galatians 3:19). This means that Yisra’el was still in bondage to their mortal (earthly) High Priests to redeem them every year on Yom Kippur.
However, once Messiah came to restore the office of the High Priest, (back to Melchizedek), the same Law of Moses still applies, only under a permanent and perfect priesthood!
Sha’uwl/Paul was not teaching us that the New Covenant nullifies all the other commandments. The New/Renewed Covenant includes the very same covenant that Yisra’el entered into with YaHuWaH on Mount Sinai, but under our eternal/immortal High Priest!
Messiah came to “renew, rebuild and repair” that broken covenant, and then he ratified it with his own blood!
The same Towrah commandments (laws) apply under the New/Renewed Covenant, as with the first covenant. The only laws that were “Added because of transgression” (Galatians 3:19), were the laws surrounding blood atonement on Yom Kippur, and the laws surrounding the role of the Kohen ha’Gadowl (High Priest). Thus, the only law that “changed” in Hebrews 7:12 was the law that made mortal men into High Priests for Yom Kippur each year.
There was always the possibility that the High Priest could die behind the veil, in the Holy of Holies each year. This would result in the entire nation not being “accepted” that year. But now, (in Messiah Yahuwshuwa), we are always accepted (if we confess our sins), because his blood atonement is forever and permanent.
When we celebrate the prophetic Feasts of YaHuWaH, and his Sabbaths, we are doing it as a “memorial” of our Messiah! These prophetic feasts are “The Testimony of Yahuwshuwa” (Revelation 19:10).
Those who HAVE his testimony and DO his commandments will have the right to eat from the Tree of Life (Revelation 22:14). The Melchizedek Priesthood administers the very same laws, only with a permanent blood sacrifice, that abides forever in eternity.
The prophetic Feasts of YaHuWaH, and his Sabbath days are not done away with. During the Millennium, our Messiah will implement one hundred percent of the Towrah (Mosaic Law), as spoken by the prophets.
The prophetic Feasts of YaHuWaH, and his Sabbath days are not done away with. During the Millennium, our Messiah will implement one hundred percent of the Towrah (Mosaic Law), as spoken by the prophets.
In Amos 9:11 & Acts 15:16, we are told that Yahuwshuwa will “Rebuild the Tabernacle of David, that has fallen down.” This means that the Temple services, and all the feasts, will be celebrated during the Millennium.
We are told that all the nations that refuse to come to Jerusalem for the pilgrimage feasts (during the Millennium), will experience drought and famine (Zechariah 14:16-17).
No Longer Under the Law of Divorce
The House of Yahuwdah (Judah), (to this day), tend to reject the concept of the “Two Houses of Yisra’el,” simply because they are only applying the “letter” of the Towrah (Law). However, they are forgetting to apply the “spirit” of the words of the Prophets. This is why our Messiah taught that we must worship the Father in “spirit & truth” (John 4:24).
In Psalm 119:142 David wrote: “Your Towrah (Law) is the truth…”
Therefore, the Towrah (Mosaic Law) is the source of all truth!
But the problem with only applying the “WRITTEN WORD” (Towrah), and not the “SPOKEN WORD” (Prophets), is that the “written word” without the spirit of prophecy kills. However, when we combine truth with spirit, it brings life!
The “written word” is like the sperm, and the “spoken word” is like the egg. Together they form a human life!
2nd Qorintiym (Corinthians) 3:6 Who also has made us able ministers of the Renewed Covenant; not of the letter, but of the Ruwach (Spirit): for the letter kills, but the Ruwach (Spirit) gives life.
2nd Qorintiym (Corinthians) 3:6 Who also has made us able ministers of the Renewed Covenant; not of the letter, but of the Ruwach (Spirit): for the letter kills, but the Ruwach (Spirit) gives life.
*Here is an Example:
In Deuteronomy 24:1-2 it says that if a man finds some “uncleanness” in his wife, he may write her a certificate of divorce; place it into her hand, and send her away. After this, she may become another man’s wife. However, she may never go back to the first husband, for this is an abomination.
Well, the Ten Northern Tribes of the House of Ephrayim (Yisra’el) did this. Ten of the tribes were divorced by YaHuWaH in Jeremiah 3:8.
Subsequently, they were scattered to the heathen nations, and they married the false gods of the nations, called “Baaliym,” meaning false lords/masters, or false husbands. This made them ineligible to return to YaHuWaH, because they were married to these false husbands.
This is why, (to this day), Judaism does not allow the redeemed gentiles back into the kingdom. They are applying “The law of divorce” from Deuteronomy 24 (and rightfully so). However, they are also ignoring the following prophecies:
Howshea (Hosea) 1:9 Then said Elohiym, Call his name Loammi: for you are not my people, and I will not be your Elohiym.
Howshea (Hosea) 1:10 Yet the number of the children of Yisra’el shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, You are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, You are the sons of the living Elohiym.
Howshea (Hosea) 1:10 Yet the number of the children of Yisra’el shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, You are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, You are the sons of the living Elohiym.
Howshea (Hosea) 2:23 And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, You are my people; and they shall say, You are my Elohiym.
Howshea (Hosea) 2:7 And she [Yisra’el] shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now.
*Explanation: how can Yisra’el return to her “first husband” without violating Deuteronomy 24?
Howshea (Hosea) 2:7 And she [Yisra’el] shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now.
*Explanation: how can Yisra’el return to her “first husband” without violating Deuteronomy 24?
Well, the answer is simple. YaHuWaH sent his son “born under the law” [the law of the temporary priesthood], so that when he was crucified, the restriction against the divorced wife being restored to her first husband [YaHuWaH] would also be destroyed!
Galatiym (Galatians) 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, Elohiym sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law [of the temporary priesthood].
When our Messiah was “made under the law” [of the first and temporary priesthood], “The WORD was made flesh” (John 1:14), and this means that the Towrah & Prophets was being made into a human life! Our Messiah was the physical embodiment of both Towrah & Prophets, or in other words Spirit & Truth!
This means, that he made a way for the divorced bride to be restored to him by also fulfilling Law & Prophets! This now explains what Sha’uwl/Paul meant in Romans, the 7th chapter! He was not stating that believers are “Dead to the entire law of Moses!” He is specifically stating that we are dead to “The law of divorce,” which prevented us from returning to YaHuWaH as our husband!
When our Messiah was “made under the law” [of the first and temporary priesthood], “The WORD was made flesh” (John 1:14), and this means that the Towrah & Prophets was being made into a human life! Our Messiah was the physical embodiment of both Towrah & Prophets, or in other words Spirit & Truth!
This means, that he made a way for the divorced bride to be restored to him by also fulfilling Law & Prophets! This now explains what Sha’uwl/Paul meant in Romans, the 7th chapter! He was not stating that believers are “Dead to the entire law of Moses!” He is specifically stating that we are dead to “The law of divorce,” which prevented us from returning to YaHuWaH as our husband!
To fully understand this concept, see my other blogs “What is a Schoolmaster & What Law Was Added Because of Transgression?”
Which Law Are We No Longer Under?
By now, you should be able to figure out what Paul was telling us when he said that we are no longer “under the law.” He was obviously telling us that if we are under the favor and grace of YaHuWaH, that we are no longer under the imperfect priesthood of the sons of Aaron. The laws surrounding this temporary and imperfect priesthood could not save us. These laws only served as a shadow picture, (to point us to the one who could save us). These ceremonial laws surrounding the priesthood, are meant to bring us to the eternal, permanent, and perfect High Priest, Yahuwshuwa!
Thus, we are still under the laws of our Creator, but we are not under the laws surrounding blood atonement, and the temporary High Priests who were mortals! We now have Yahuwshuwa as our High Priest, (who is after the order of Melchizedek), and he has an endless life!
Thus, we are still under the laws of our Creator, but we are not under the laws surrounding blood atonement, and the temporary High Priests who were mortals! We now have Yahuwshuwa as our High Priest, (who is after the order of Melchizedek), and he has an endless life!
Okay, so what does this term “under the law” really mean? Well, as I have already illustrated, it means to be under a temporary priesthood, made up of mortal men who cannot adequately atone for us!
When the House of Judah were taken into Babylonian Captivity (in the days of Jeremiah the prophet), many of these priests had become corrupt, and they had begun to incorporate pagan sun-god worship customs into their Temple worship (see Ezekiel chapter 8). They even brought in trees, decorated with “silver and gold” to commemorate Nimrod and Tammuz, into the Jewish Temple (see Jeremiah 10:1-3). These decorated trees were “Phallic symbols,” also called “The image of jealousy” in Ezekiel 8:3-5.
When the House of Judah were taken into Babylonian Captivity (in the days of Jeremiah the prophet), many of these priests had become corrupt, and they had begun to incorporate pagan sun-god worship customs into their Temple worship (see Ezekiel chapter 8). They even brought in trees, decorated with “silver and gold” to commemorate Nimrod and Tammuz, into the Jewish Temple (see Jeremiah 10:1-3). These decorated trees were “Phallic symbols,” also called “The image of jealousy” in Ezekiel 8:3-5.
The prophet Ezekiel, was shown that the House of Yahuwdah (Judah) were bringing pagan sun-god worship into the Temple! In Ezekiel 8:14, the women were weeping for the reincarnated sun-god of Nimrod named Tammuz. In Ezekiel 8:16, they had turned their backs towards the Temple, and they were worshiping the sun-god! In Ezekiel 8:17 they were “putting the branch to the nose,” which is mistletoe! You see, this was done in honor of Nimrod (and his alleged reincarnated son, Tammuz), who was “Cut down like a tree... and like an abominable branch” (Isaiah 14:12-19).
That is how various factions and sects of Judaism, began to form. There were the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the Essenes.
These various Jewish denominations had become corrupted on many levels. Many of these rabbis added man-made doctrines to their religion, and thus made it more difficult for the people to obey the commandments of YaHuWaH.
They replaced all 613 commandments in the Towrah of Mosheh (Moses) with their own set of 613 commandments!
Marqos (Mark) 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well you reject the commandment of Elohiym, that you may keep your own tradition.
Aha! Now can see how the Laws of our Creator were gradually exchanged for the DOCTRINES & COMMANDMENTS OF MEN! And today we see that the Roman Catholic Church & Protestantism have done the very same thing with our Heavenly Father’s Towrah!
We must be able to distinguish in many of his letters, when Sha’uwl (Paul) was speaking about the Laws of Pharisaism (man-made laws) or the Towrah (our Creator’s laws).
You see, in the days of Sha’uwl (Paul) the Apostle, the term “under the law” meant that you were “under rabbinic law.”
If you were “under the law,” it meant that you were being trained by Hillel, or Gamaliel, or some Rabbinic School. Listen to the context in which Sha’uwl is using this term “under the law.”
1st Qorintiym (Corinthians) 9: 20 And unto the Yahuwdiy (Jews) I became as a Yahuwdiy (Jew), that I might gain the Yahuwdiy (Jews); to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law.
Sha’uwl (Paul) was speaking about those who were under Pharisaic Law in the above verse. He was saying that he became as those under the Rabbinic authority of the Jewish Sanhedrin in order to win them to faith in Messiah. But the confusing part is when he says “I became as a Jew,” as if he was not already a Jew.
You see, Sha’uwl was from the Tribe of BinYamiyn (Benjamin), and the Tribe of Benjamin had assimilated into the House of Yahuwdah (Judah), as they are considered part of the Two Southern Tribes of Yisra’el. And so what does he mean by saying that he “became as a Jew,” when he was already a Yahuwdiy (Jew)?
Sha’uwl was stating that he became as those under Rabbinic Judaism in order to win those who were “under Rabbinic Law.” You see, there is a difference between being an ethnic Yahuwdiy (Jew) and a “religious Jew” who is abiding by the laws of Judaism. The Apostle Sha’uwl was no longer following the laws of Pharisaism, but he was still still “under the Mosaic Law” (Towrah) given by our Creator. Now, we are going to discover that Sha’uwl had been trained all of his life in Pharisaism under Gamaliel:
Ma’aseh Shlichiym (Acts) 22:3 I am verily a man which am a Yahuwdiy (Jew), born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward Elohiym, as you all are this day.
Sha’uwl described himself as a Pharisee:
1st Qorintiym (Corinthians) 9: 20 And unto the Yahuwdiy (Jews) I became as a Yahuwdiy (Jew), that I might gain the Yahuwdiy (Jews); to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law.
Sha’uwl (Paul) was speaking about those who were under Pharisaic Law in the above verse. He was saying that he became as those under the Rabbinic authority of the Jewish Sanhedrin in order to win them to faith in Messiah. But the confusing part is when he says “I became as a Jew,” as if he was not already a Jew.
You see, Sha’uwl was from the Tribe of BinYamiyn (Benjamin), and the Tribe of Benjamin had assimilated into the House of Yahuwdah (Judah), as they are considered part of the Two Southern Tribes of Yisra’el. And so what does he mean by saying that he “became as a Jew,” when he was already a Yahuwdiy (Jew)?
Sha’uwl was stating that he became as those under Rabbinic Judaism in order to win those who were “under Rabbinic Law.” You see, there is a difference between being an ethnic Yahuwdiy (Jew) and a “religious Jew” who is abiding by the laws of Judaism. The Apostle Sha’uwl was no longer following the laws of Pharisaism, but he was still still “under the Mosaic Law” (Towrah) given by our Creator. Now, we are going to discover that Sha’uwl had been trained all of his life in Pharisaism under Gamaliel:
Ma’aseh Shlichiym (Acts) 22:3 I am verily a man which am a Yahuwdiy (Jew), born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward Elohiym, as you all are this day.
Sha’uwl described himself as a Pharisee:
Ma’aseh Shlichiym (Acts) 23:6 “....I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.”
Pilippiym (Philippians) 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Yisra’el, of the tribe of Benyamiyn (Benjamin), an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee.
With this background information, let’s take a look at what Sha’uwl wrote to the Corinthians:
1st Qorintiym (Corinthians) 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to Elohiym, but under the law to Messiah) that I might gain them that are without law.
Paul was stating above, that those who are not under Rabbinic Law, are not “under the law” and so he became as those who are not under Rabbinic Law (Pharisaism), yet he was stating that he was still NOT FREE from the Towrah (law) of our Creator, because he was still UNDER MESSIAH’S LAW!
This is proof that the Towrah or “law” that Yahuwshuwa Messiah kept was not different from the law of his Heavenly Father!
Paul was stating above, that those who are not under Rabbinic Law, are not “under the law” and so he became as those who are not under Rabbinic Law (Pharisaism), yet he was stating that he was still NOT FREE from the Towrah (law) of our Creator, because he was still UNDER MESSIAH’S LAW!
This is proof that the Towrah or “law” that Yahuwshuwa Messiah kept was not different from the law of his Heavenly Father!
1st Yahuwchanon (John) 2:4 He that says, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Yahuwchanon (John) 15:10 If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
The Hanger Laws
The Hanger Laws
People often-times try to make a distinction between “the law of Moses” versus “the law of Christ” as if they are somehow different. They will cite “the two greatest commandments” as if Messiah was giving us only “two new replacement laws” and doing away with the other 611 commandments in the Towrah (the five books of Moses).
But there are several flaws with this line of thinking. First of all, they forget to insert the word “hang” into these verses below:
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 22:
35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the Towrah (law)?
37 Yahuwshuwa said unto him, You shall love YHWH your Elohiym with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
40 On these two commandments HANG all the law and the prophets.
Were these brand new commandments that he was giving us? Many have been taught to believe that these were brand new commandments that our Messiah was “adding” to the Towrah, and that he was “subtracting” all of the other commandments. But beloved, if that is indeed what he was doing, then he was violating Towrah:
Debariym (Deuteronomy) 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: you shall not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
If we are commanded not to add nor subtract from the commandments, then our Messiah could not have been adding new commandments nor subtracting ones that he had already given us through his servant Mosheh. Now I know what some of you may be thinking right now. You are asking yourself “How could our Messiah, Yahuwshuwa have been the one to write the Towrah with his own finger for Moses, if he had not even been born yet?”
Well, the answer is seen in this verse:
Yahuwchanon (John) 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohiym, and the Word was Elohiym.
Were these brand new commandments that he was giving us? Many have been taught to believe that these were brand new commandments that our Messiah was “adding” to the Towrah, and that he was “subtracting” all of the other commandments. But beloved, if that is indeed what he was doing, then he was violating Towrah:
Debariym (Deuteronomy) 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: you shall not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
If we are commanded not to add nor subtract from the commandments, then our Messiah could not have been adding new commandments nor subtracting ones that he had already given us through his servant Mosheh. Now I know what some of you may be thinking right now. You are asking yourself “How could our Messiah, Yahuwshuwa have been the one to write the Towrah with his own finger for Moses, if he had not even been born yet?”
Well, the answer is seen in this verse:
Yahuwchanon (John) 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohiym, and the Word was Elohiym.
Our Messiah, Yahuwshuwa is Elohiym, the Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth. All things were created by him (Colossians 1:16) and in him dwells all the fullness of Elohiym (Colossians 2:9). So then whose finger was it that wrote the commandments under the Mosaic Covenant?
Shemoth (Exodus) 31:18 And he gave unto Mosheh (Moses), when he had made an end of communing with him upon Mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of Elohiym.
I often hear Christians make the ridiculous claim that the “law of Christ” was somehow a different set of laws than the laws of the “Old Testament.” But these verses above prove that it was our Messiah himself who is the giver of the Towrah! Could it be that his very same finger which he used to write the commandments in stone is the finger he also uses to cast out devils?
Luqas (Luke) 11:20 But if I with the finger of Elohiym cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of Elohiym is come upon you.
If these same Christians claim that the Towrah (law) is now done away with, that would mean that our Messiah made a mistake with his finger and he is no longer able to cast out devils. But think about how foolish this reasoning sounds!
So how did Yahuwshuwa determine what were the two greatest of all commandments? He was quoting from the Towrah:
Debariym (Deuteronomy) 6:5 And you shall love YHWH your Elohiym with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.
Debariym (Deuteronomy) 10:12 And now, Yisra’el, what does YHWH your Elohiym require of you, but to fear YHWH your Elohiym, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve YHWH your Elohiym with all your heart and with all your soul.
Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 19:18 You shall not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am YHWH.
As you can see, these were not brand new commandments that he was using to replace all the other commandments! I call these “The hanger laws.” Hangers serve a purpose. Something hangs on them. If they are there hanging in your closet with no clothes on them, they serve no purpose! What good is a hanger if it is not being used to hang something on?
Luqas (Luke) 11:20 But if I with the finger of Elohiym cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of Elohiym is come upon you.
If these same Christians claim that the Towrah (law) is now done away with, that would mean that our Messiah made a mistake with his finger and he is no longer able to cast out devils. But think about how foolish this reasoning sounds!
So how did Yahuwshuwa determine what were the two greatest of all commandments? He was quoting from the Towrah:
Debariym (Deuteronomy) 6:5 And you shall love YHWH your Elohiym with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.
Debariym (Deuteronomy) 10:12 And now, Yisra’el, what does YHWH your Elohiym require of you, but to fear YHWH your Elohiym, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve YHWH your Elohiym with all your heart and with all your soul.
Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 19:18 You shall not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am YHWH.
As you can see, these were not brand new commandments that he was using to replace all the other commandments! I call these “The hanger laws.” Hangers serve a purpose. Something hangs on them. If they are there hanging in your closet with no clothes on them, they serve no purpose! What good is a hanger if it is not being used to hang something on?
Likewise, with the “Two greatest commandments,” they serve to support the other commandments in the Towrah. In this illustration, the hanger is on top, and the other commandments are like the clothes that are “under” the two greatest commandments. By being “under the Towrah (law) of Messiah,” you are under these two greatest commandments, and with them all of the other ones!
You will notice, that the two hangers in the illustration (above) have something hanging from them---shirts. Now if you remove the shirts, what do you have? Empty hangers that serve no purpose!
A perfect example of this principle is what the Ya’aqob (Jacob), the brother of our Messiah wrote:
You will notice, that the two hangers in the illustration (above) have something hanging from them---shirts. Now if you remove the shirts, what do you have? Empty hangers that serve no purpose!
A perfect example of this principle is what the Ya’aqob (Jacob), the brother of our Messiah wrote:
Ya’aqob (James) 2:
14 What does it profit, my brethren, though a man say he has faith, and has not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be you warmed and filled; notwithstanding you give them not those things which are needful to the body; what does it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone.
*Note: Here is a classic example of someone who would say that they “Love Yah” or they “Love their neighbor,” but nothing is hanging on their love. There has to be works of faith in action to show that they truly do love Elohiym.
You have to hang something on those commandments! Have you ever heard the expression “Actions speak louder than words?” That is precisely what James is teaching us:
Ya’aqob (James) 2:
Ya’aqob (James) 2:
18 Yes, a man may say, You have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that there is one Elohiym; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 See you how faith working together with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed Elohiym, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of Elohiym.
24 You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
You see, this is precisely what it means to be “under the law of Messiah.” It means that you hang the other commandments (works of faith) on your love for YaHuWaH and your neighbor. Our Messiah’s laws did not contradict the laws of his Heavenly Father!
You see, this is precisely what it means to be “under the law of Messiah.” It means that you hang the other commandments (works of faith) on your love for YaHuWaH and your neighbor. Our Messiah’s laws did not contradict the laws of his Heavenly Father!
Therefore, (if I can summarize what Romans 6:14 is about), Paul was merely stating that we are now “under the law of Melchizedek,” (who is the original High Priest), rather than the law of the temporary High Priests from the sons of Aaron.
But does that mean that the other laws have been done away with? Absolutely not! The only law that actually changed (as a result of Messiah dying on the tree), was the law that made mortal men into High Priests. We are still “under the law of Messiah,” which is the same Towrah that he gave to us through Moses!
Another Context of “Under the Law.”
In this context, it would appear that he is referring to coming under Rabbinic authority, because if he meant this in a different context (as I am about to explain), he would appear to be saying that he was placing himself “under the penalty of the law,” as if he was a sinner or a law-breaker. And we know that is not what he was saying. So, let’s take a look at this phrase “under the law” in a different way.
Romiym (Romans) 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law says, it says to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before Elohiym.
*Note: Paul is saying that the Towrah (law) is only reaching out and convicting those who are not keeping it. An example would be if you are honoring the 7th day Sabbath, you don’t need to go back and read those commandments in the scriptures again telling you to obey the Sabbath, for you are already obeying it. Therefore it is already in your heart to do it. Hence, the Sabbath commandment is already “written in your heart.” This would explain the following verse:
Romiym (Romans) 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.
Notice what Paul says before he says “You are not under the law.” He says “For sin shall not have dominion over you...” But what exactly is sin?
As I explained previously, “Sin is the transgression of the Towrah (law).
Now we understand what Paul is getting at. When people sin, they are “under the penalty of the law.” But if they are not sinning (violating Towrah), they are “not under the penalty of the law.”
Now, this other person has been given grace, because Messiah has fulfilled the penalty for breaking the law. This man gets a “get out of jail free card” only because he has repented.
Now that he is out of jail, should he continue to sin (transgress the law)? Yah forbid! What happens if he uses his free gift of grace to go out and break the law again? Does he get another “Get out of jail card?” No!
The translation from Aramaic, to Greek, to English makes it appear that Paul is saying that we are “not under obligation to obey the Towrah” (Mosaic Law). However that is not what he is teaching us at all! The way these other languages are conveying the message makes it appear that way, but what he is really saying is that if we are under “grace” (favor), we are under the supernatural ability to obey the Towrah!
If we are under the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, then we are not under the penalty of the Towrah (law), because that would mean that we are obeying it! When YaHuWaH sees that it is already in our hearts to obey Towrah, he gives us extra grace (ability) because he sees that we are trying to obey it. He only gives grace to those who are humble and obedient:
If we are under the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, then we are not under the penalty of the Towrah (law), because that would mean that we are obeying it! When YaHuWaH sees that it is already in our hearts to obey Towrah, he gives us extra grace (ability) because he sees that we are trying to obey it. He only gives grace to those who are humble and obedient:
Ya’aqob (James) 4:6 But he gives more grace. Wherefore he says, Elohiym resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble.
1st Keefa (Peter) 5:5 Likewise, you younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yes, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for Elohiym resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.
He may give me a warning, and let me go. But if this continues to be a pattern (where I get pulled over again by that same officer, in the same location), he will know that I am speeding on purpose, and he probably won’t give me grace again.
Paul is saying that we are “under the penalty of the law” when we are deliberately being lawless, and our heart is against the Towrah. But if we are doing our best to be obedient, (and YaHuWaH sees that), he will show us mercy, when we accidentally slip (because of of old habit patterns).
As an example, you may accidentally utter profanity from your lips, but if you immediately catch yourself (and repent right away), you are still under grace. But if you continue to sin willfully, Hebrews 10:26 says you will continue to grieve the Ruwach ha’Qodesh (Holy Spirit), and that may lead you to fall from favor or grace (Galatians 5:4).
There are those who are still in the process of being set free from former bad habits, (and they are learning to walk by the Spirit in consistent obedience). But there are those who are abusing the concept of “grace” as a license to continue sinning. Such a person is only fooling themselves, for they are not under the favor or grace of Elohiym.
An example of a person who abuses grace, would be like the man who knows it is a sin to look at pornography, and yet he goes out and purchases videos or magazines at the store. This is different than a man who is walking down the street, (and he happens to notice a woman who is scantily dressed), and thus, he has a moment of weakness, and thinks unclean thoughts. If this man immediately repents, and redirects his thoughts to YaHuWaH, he is still under grace.
If he immediately casts down those lustful thoughts and imaginations (and he repents), he is different than someone who is willfully pursuing the sin of adultery in his heart. Grace is for the kind of person who is quick to correct himself. But grace is not available to the one who is looking for an opportunity to sin. Grace covers us in those moments of weakness. Grace is not for those who consistently and willfully sin!
There are those who are still in the process of being set free from former bad habits, (and they are learning to walk by the Spirit in consistent obedience). But there are those who are abusing the concept of “grace” as a license to continue sinning. Such a person is only fooling themselves, for they are not under the favor or grace of Elohiym.
An example of a person who abuses grace, would be like the man who knows it is a sin to look at pornography, and yet he goes out and purchases videos or magazines at the store. This is different than a man who is walking down the street, (and he happens to notice a woman who is scantily dressed), and thus, he has a moment of weakness, and thinks unclean thoughts. If this man immediately repents, and redirects his thoughts to YaHuWaH, he is still under grace.
If he immediately casts down those lustful thoughts and imaginations (and he repents), he is different than someone who is willfully pursuing the sin of adultery in his heart. Grace is for the kind of person who is quick to correct himself. But grace is not available to the one who is looking for an opportunity to sin. Grace covers us in those moments of weakness. Grace is not for those who consistently and willfully sin!
That is exactly what the Apostle Paul was illustrating in his letter to the Romans. He is saying that grace is available to those who are on the path of learning to obey Towrah, and they have a heart towards obedience. But for those who take advantage of grace, he says Yah forbid that we should sin on purpose!
Romiym (Romans) 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? Elohiym forbid.
If I get a speeding ticket, it is because I was breaking the law. If I have to pay the fine, it means that I am “under the law” and it’s requirements. I am under the penalty of the law. But when I am obeying the law, I am no longer “under the law” because I am in harmony with the law. I am only “under the law” when I am in violation of it.
The writer of Hebrews illustrates this point very well:
Ibriym (Hebrews) 10:
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Mosheh’s Towrah (Law) died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much greater punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden underfoot the Son of Elohiym, and has counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that has said, Vengeance belongs unto me, I will recompense, says YHWH. And again, YHWH shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living Elohiym.
And so the bottom line is this: Grace is for those who love Yah and they are striving to obey his Towrah. Grace is not available to those who abuse it and use it as excuse to keep on sinning. Those who despise Towrah (Mosaic Law), and they think it is done away with, are not under grace at all. They are in fact “under the law” because they have rejected it. Therefore, they are still under the penalty of the law!
As a matter of fact, if you are one of those people who erroneously thinks that you no longer have to obey the Towrah, even your prayers are considered an abomination, so there is no way that you are under the favor or grace of YaHuWaH:
Mishley (Proverbs) 28:9 He that turns away his ear from hearing the Towrah (law), even his prayer shall be abomination.
As a matter of fact, if you are one of those people who erroneously thinks that you no longer have to obey the Towrah, even your prayers are considered an abomination, so there is no way that you are under the favor or grace of YaHuWaH:
Mishley (Proverbs) 28:9 He that turns away his ear from hearing the Towrah (law), even his prayer shall be abomination.
No comments:
Post a Comment