The Gospel (part 9) The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is a contentious topic sometimes. Some believe the Holy Spirit is here to guide believers. Some believe He is here to point out sin. Some believe the Holy Spirit lets men know what sin is for them, in terms of sin is different for the individual person. There are people who believe the Holy Spirit is only a New Testament idea and is only come because of Christ. With all these different ideas, I thought it would be a good idea to see exactly what the Word has to say about a few Holy Spirit questions. Who is the Holy Spirit? Is the Holy Spirit only found in the New Testament? What is His purpose here with believers? Starting with these questions, I believe we can gain a much better understanding of what to expect from the Holy Spirit within our lives. We will start with whether or not the Holy Spirit is found only in the New Testament.

Genesis 1:2

The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

The Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of God, was there with God before the Earth was formed.

Genesis 6:3

And the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”

Here we can see the Spirit of YHWH will not strive with man forever. Meaning, man had the Holy Spirit, but would only last about 120 more years before it was taken away from all men. After this point, we see how the Holy Spirit would come upon only certain men.

1 Samuel 16:13

Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

2 Chronicles 24:20

Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people, and said to them, “Thus says God: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He also has forsaken you.’ ”

Numbers 11:25

Then the Lord came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and placed the same upon the seventy elders; and it happened, when the Spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied, although they never did so again.

Acts 28:25

So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,

Psalm 51:12

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

This shows the Holy Spirit was not simply a New Testament idea. The prophet Isaiah has been given as an example as to how the same Holy Spirit was speaking to him. The Psalmist links the Holy Spirit with bringing YWHW’s salvation, also showing both Testaments point to the same Spirit doing the same things. I point this out because I have heard an argument about how the Holy Spirit was either not the same Holy Spirit or was viewed differently than how we see Him in the modern day church.

The Spirit was originally meant for all men. However, they chose to sin and YHWH removed His Spirit from all men. At this point He chose who would receive His Spirit throughout the rest of the Old Testament.

Next we can focus on who the Holy Spirit is. Is He truly part of God, or is it a separate being altogether?

Acts 5:3-4

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

Acts shows us a link between both the Holy Spirit and YHWH. Ananias was led to lie to the Holy Spirit, then it is said he lied not to men but to God. This seems to point to the idea that the Holy Spirit is God or at the very least, an extension of Him.

Luke 1:35

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

Mary had the Holy Spirit come upon her and it is said the Holy Spirit is the power of the Highest, who is God. So, this Spirit is an extension of God, and it is the Power of God.

Psalm 139:7-8

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

The Spirit of God is His presence. It is omnipresent. We always hear about God being everywhere at once, this is the very same thing we see here about the Holy Spirit. We can conclude, the Holy Spirit is God. Considering what we have read, the built points we can take away concerning who the Holy Spirit is…

1.       Omnipresent

2.       The Power of the Highest

3.       An Extension of God

Now that we know the Holy Spirit is found in both the Old and New Testaments, as well as knowing the Holy Spirit is God, the major concern is, what is the purpose of the Holy Spirit? What does the Holy Spirit do for us as believers and what should we expect to understand?

2 Peter 1:19-21

And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit was given to the prophets causing them to prophecy. It is for this reason we cannot understand prophecy as a private interpretation. It must be held up to the Scriptures.

Acts 5:32

And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

This makes sense in terms of the previous verse. The Holy Spirit is given to those who obey YHWH. All the prophets found in the Old Testament not only obeyed YHWH’s Law, but they preached that Israel would do the same. This particular verse is from Acts. This means His Law, which is how we obey Him, is still important.

Micah 3:8

But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord, And of justice and might, To declare to Jacob his transgression And to Israel his sin.

The Holy Spirit helps to point out transgression and sin. Which also in in sync with the previous two verses. It is very important to keep YHWH’s Law, according to the Holy Spirit.

Nehemiah 9:20

You also gave Your good Spirit to instruct them, And did not withhold Your manna from their mouth, And gave them water for their thirst.

The Spirit is given to instruct men in the ways of YHWH. If we couple this with the previous verse, we can understand the Spirit instructs men in the ways of YHWH, which is exactly what we see in the following passage.

Ezekiel 36:26-27

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

This is probably one of the most important verses concerning the Holy Spirit found in the entire Bible. This is written in a last day’s context. Taking that into consideration and understanding what is being said, it seems clear YHWH’s Law is important for all believers. This goes hand in hand with the previous three verses which link God’s Law with the Holy Spirit. This is the very purpose for the Holy Spirit. This is what we should expect from the Holy Spirit considering YHWH Himself says this is what His Spirit will do for men. Knowing this purpose, compare this now with Romans 8.

Romans 8:1-8

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

James 1:15

Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord

Deuteronomy 6:25

Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the Lord our God, as He has commanded us.’

There is a lot packed into these few verses and passages. Knowing the Holy Spirit causes men to keep the Laws and Commandments of YHWH, then we can conclude to walk in the Spirit is to walk according to His Law. The opposite of walking in the Spirit is to walk in the flesh. Walking in the flesh is to walk in sin. This aligns perfectly with 1 John.

1 John 3:4

Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

YHWH’s Law is the law of the Spirit of life and it is His Law which sets men free from the law of sin and death. The law of sin and death is the law that says if you sin, you will die.

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”

If we choose to obey His Laws, and keep His commands we are set free from the law of sin and death.

Now, Yeshua condemned sin in the flesh and the House of Israel can again fulfil the righteous requirement of the Law by not walking according to the flesh. Which is obeying His Laws by walking in the Spirit. Again, those who walk according to the Spirit set their minds on things of the Spirit, and the Spirit causes men to keep His commandments. To be carnally minded is to live according to the flesh, and to live according to the flesh is to not keep His Law. This brings death because not keeping His Law is to live according to sin. The carnal mind is hatred toward YHWH and His Law. The carnal mind, and this is quoted, “is not subject to the law of God”. All these things match up, from both the Old and New Testaments.

There are some who like to argue we are not under the Law but under Grace because we have the Holy Spirit guiding us. Well, if all this hasn’t made an impact on your thought process, I would like to add a few more bits of info. First, let’s take a look at 1 Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 2:14

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Deuteronomy 6:24

And the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day.

Isaiah 11:2

The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

Romans 7:14

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.

The man who does not know YHWH cannot understand the things of the Holy Spirit. The things of the Spirit are foolish to the man who doesn’t know YHWH. We then read from proverbs wisdom and instruction is despised by fools which is related to the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord comes from His command for us to observe His commands and statutes. Finally, we know His Law, commands, and statutes are spiritual, and not carnal. What can we take away from these passages? The man who is natural, without God, cannot understand His Law and considers it foolish to keep. God’s Law are a set of instructions for men to live Holy lives and the Spirit helps us to understand and keep them. 

After having this information, I would like to point out something that was really interesting to learn. It relates directly to the House of Israel and the Holy Spirit and what and how they responded to God’s Law and Isaiah’s interpretation of their response.

Isaiah 63:7-10

I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord And the praises of the Lord, According to all that the Lord has bestowed on us, And the great goodness toward the house of Israel, Which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies, According to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses. For He said, “Surely they are My people, Children who will not lie.” So He became their Savior. In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in His pity He redeemed them; And He bore them and carried them All the days of old. But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; So He turned Himself against them as an enemy, And He fought against them.

Notice, it was the House of Israel who is being spoken about. YHWH called them His people and He became their Savior. When they were suffering He was suffering. It was the Angel of His presence who saved them. He redeemed them. They rebelled against Him, and we know this means they did not keep His commands and Laws, which are instructions. This grieved His Holy Spirit causing Him to turn against them. Now consider this verse found in Ephesians.

Ephesians 4:30

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

This is the very same terminology used in both passages. To grieve the Spirit is to go against YHWH’s Law, His instructions. This is rebellion. 

Next is something that could potentially have huge ramifications. Everyone who considers men who keep the Law of God and teaches keeping as not having or being filled with the Holy Spirit, or even being possessed by an evil spirit must pay close attention to this verse.

Mark 3:28-30

“Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”— because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

Considering all the scripture given concerning the purpose of the Holy Spirit, I would strongly caution against this line of thinking. If, you are one of these people who make claims against the spirit of the men who keep and teach Torah, you better be absolutely sure you are correct and have more scriptural evidence than given here to support your claim because this is a very serious issue and can potentially bring eternal condemnation. I admit, I could be completely wrong on the topic of keeping the Law, however, it seems there is plenty of scripture backing everything I am saying. 

Yeshua has a few more things to say about the Holy Spirit before I wrap up. This goes directly against the argument of teaching Christ after the cross. This means, what He did before He died was just for the Jews.

John 14:15-17

“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

John 14:26

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

First notice He says if you love Him, you will keep His commandments. Doing this will result is Yeshua praying YHWH will send the Holy Spirit to you. Not just anyone can receive the Holy Spirit because the world cannot see Him and they do not know Him. This is directly related to the keeping of His commandments. Second, notice, and this is what directly contradicts the stated argument, the Holy Spirit will remind men of everything Yeshua taught. This means teaching a different gospel of after the cross is not teaching the gospel at all. Everything Yeshua said before the cross is still relevant after the cross. It was not just for the Jews because the Jews are made up of the House of Judah and Yeshua said He came only for the House of Israel. 

Finally I’d like to share this concerning the Holy Spirit and the love of God. Again, this is quite interesting considering all the things that can be linked together from the Old Testament to the New, from Jesus to Paul to all the apostles.

Romans 5:5

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

1 John 5:3

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

To conclude all this, the Holy Spirit absolutely can be found in the Old Testament and it is the very same Holy Spirit with the same purpose. The Holy Spirit is an extension of YHWH and repeatedly does His will within His prophets, and chosen people. Finally, the purpose of the Holy Spirit is to cause God’s chosen people to keep His Law. The Holy Spirit doesn’t come upon someone until they have already begun to do so, but He is our helper to ensure we don’t fall back into sin and He convicts us when we are committing sin.

The Gospel (part 8) Jesus and Grace

What is the Grace of God? How should we understand the inner workings of Grace in our lives concerning its effect on our sinful actions? These questions should be answered considering it could highly impact our understanding of Truth. If we are to believe Grace covers all our sins, and because of Grace we can no longer sin at all, then this is basically a license to sin. A free pass, if you will. I say this because what limitations should we abide by? Do we only act according to our conscience? If this is the case, then isn’t it the same as simply acting according to our own understanding? If we are to say the Holy Spirit guides us, then how do we know if it is truly the Holy Spirit speaking to us? We are told to test all spirits, so what do we test them to?

Genesis 6:8

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

Proverbs 3:1-4, 22

My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.

So they will be life to your soul And grace to your neck.

John 1:16-17

From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Here are a few things to take note of. First, Grace was found in the Old Testament, Noah found Grace in the eyes of God as well as Moses. Proverbs links Grace with keeping the Law of God saying His commands will be Grace to your neck. Finally, John tells us YHWH has given us blessing after blessing, first the blessing of the Law with Grace from Moses followed by more of the same through Christ. This verse is normally used to state the Law of God came from Moses, but Grace came from Jesus. However, that is not the case. This should be understood as multiple blessings have been given to His chosen people, first the Law, then Grace, both being blessings. This is not saying, now that Jesus has come, we no longer need to even consider the law. We know His Law is truth so to receive truth through Christ is to receive the Law through Christ.

Psalm 119:142

Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth.

Now, if His Law is truth, and He brought Grace and Truth, we absolutely should understand these two things work together and you cannot have one without the other.

James 2:17

Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Considering all this, so far we can determine Grace is not only a New Testament idea. Both Proverbs and John link Grace with the Law, and James says faith works in unification with the Law of God. Now, if we go a little deeper here we should be able to understand that Yeshua was a living breathing example for us to have both faith and follow the Law.

1 Peter 2:21-22

Indeed, this is what you were called to; because the Messiah too suffered, on your behalf, leaving an example so that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, nor was any deceit found on his lips.”

1 John 3:4

Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

Yeshua was our example of how not to sin and how to keep deceit out of our mouths. He kept the Law of God. Sin is breaking His Law and we know He never broke God’s Law. So, the question that now begs to be asked, how does keeping the Law have anything to do with Grace?

1 John 1:8-1 John 2:2

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

We all sin, which is break YHWH’s Law. To say we are not sinners is to deceive ourselves. We are to strive to not sin but, if we happen to accidentally or unknowingly sin, Yeshua is our advocate, standing beside us. The Grace of God is for our mistakes, not our rebellion. Continually, disregarding the Law of God is a rebellious act, and spits in the face of Yeshua. If He was our example, we are to walk as He walked. This is exactly what Paul tells us as well.

1 Corinthians 11:1

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

1 John 2:6

He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

So, this is the Grace of God, which He forgives those who make mistake when they strive to keep His ways. But, it doesn’t end there. He even sends His Holy Spirit to us to help us to keep those commandments and Laws.

Ezekiel 36:26-27

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

 Not only does He grant us His Grace, but His Spirit causes us to keep those Laws. However, we cannot simply trust every spirit. Some spirits will come to deceive us, as we are told we must test the spirits.

1 John 3:22-1 John 4:3

And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

First notice, believers are to be keeping His commandments and doing the things that are pleasing to YHWH. This means we can please YHWH with our actions. Then we read those who abide in Him, are those who are keeping His commandments. We can know He is within us because His Spirit is in us, remember His Spirit causes us to want to keep His commands and follow His Law. But again, we are told there will be other spirits that may come upon us and we are given an example of what those men will teach. They will teach something other than God’s Law, and by doing so, will be denying Yeshua the Messiah. There is a test given to us to be sure we are not following evil spirits, nor evil prophets or teachers.

Deuteronomy 13:1-5

“If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known—‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has spoken in order to turn you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of bondage, to entice you from the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. So you shall put away the evil from your midst.

The Grace of God is simply favor or acceptance in the eyes of YHWH.

The Greek word is Strong's G5485 – charis, and it means graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude):—acceptable, benefit, favor, gift, grace (- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy).

The Hebrew word is Strong's H2580 – chen graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty):—favor, grace (-ious), pleasant, precious, (well-) favored.

We find favor in His eyes by doing His will, this is what the entire Bible teaches. God wants us to do His will. He has given us His instructions that we should follow. Now, we are not saved by doing the works, but because we have the faith that His works are right. It is a way to show we love Him.

John 14:15-17

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

1 John 5:3

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

Notice, Yeshua says, “IF” you love Him you should keep His commands, and doing so will result in Him asking the Father to send His Spirit to help you. Now, couple that with what is stated in Ezekiel and it makes much more sense. He says His Spirit will “cause” you to keep His Laws. In doing so, you find Grace when you make mistakes. Again, one thing that we absolutely have to understand is, His Grace is for our mistakes, not our rebellion.

Jesus and the Adulterous Wife

I hear so often that Jesus died for the sins of the world. This line of thinking is based on a verse found in John.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

I do not dispute that thought, however, I do believe there is so much more to this verse than what is commonly taught. It seems, from what I continuously hear, God loved the whole world, meaning every individual person, so he sent His only son to die for everyone sins. Now, this is where I start to see issues because Yeshua says He only came for the lost sheep of the House of Israel. There is a ton of information that would go into that and I have already covered it several times so I wont go into it here. But, the House of Israel was scattered among all the nations of the world, therefore it completely fits with what Yeshua says and what John says.

There are astounding parallels between Yeshua and the law of jealousy of the adulterous wife found in the Torah. This seems to make so much more sense when we realize exactly what Yeshua did for us, along with helping us understand who we are.  

Leviticus 27:1-4 (CJB)

Adonai said to Moshe, “Tell the people of Isra’el, ‘If someone makes a clearly defined vow to Adonai to give him an amount equal to the value of a human being, the value you are to assign to a man between the ages of twenty and sixty years is to be fifty shekels of silver, with the sanctuary shekel being the standard, if a woman, thirty shekels.

Matthew 26:14-16

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.

Here is the first link between Yeshua and a woman. He was sold for thirty pieces of silver, which is the exact price for a woman and the age fits as well. Therefore, we know He was sold for less than the cost of a man.

Numbers 5:12-22, 29-33

“Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘If any man’s wife goes astray and behaves unfaithfully toward him, and a man lies with her carnally, and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband, and it is concealed that she has defiled herself, and there was no witness against her, nor was she caught— if the spirit of jealousy comes upon him and he becomes jealous of his wife, who has defiled herself; or if the spirit of jealousy comes upon him and he becomes jealous of his wife, although she has not defiled herself— then the man shall bring his wife to the priest. He shall bring the offering required for her, one-tenth of an ephah (an OMER) of barley meal; he shall pour no oil on it and put no frankincense on it, because it is a grain offering of jealousy, an offering for remembering, for bringing iniquity to remembrance.

‘And the priest shall bring her near, and set her before the Lord. The priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel, and take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put it into the water. Then the priest shall stand the woman before the Lord, uncover the woman’s head, and put the offering for remembering in her hands, which is the grain offering of jealousy. And the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that brings a curse. And the priest shall put her under oath, and say to the woman, “If no man has lain with you, and if you have not gone astray to uncleanness while under your husband’s authority, be free from this bitter water that brings a curse. But if you have gone astray while under your husband’s authority, and if you have defiled yourself and some man other than your husband has lain with you”— then the priest shall put the woman under the oath of the curse, and he shall say to the woman—“the Lord make you a curse and an oath among your people, when the Lord makes your thigh rot and your belly swell; and may this water that causes the curse go into your stomach, and make your belly swell and your thigh rot.”

‘Then the woman shall say, “Amen, so be it.”

‘This is the law of jealousy, when a wife, while under her husband’s authority, goes astray and defiles herself, or when the spirit of jealousy comes upon a man, and he becomes jealous of his wife; then he shall stand the woman before the Lord, and the priest shall execute all this law upon her. Then the man shall be free from iniquity, but that woman shall bear her guilt.’ ”

Deuteronomy 32:21

They have provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God; They have moved Me to anger by their foolish idols. But I will provoke them to jealousy by those who are not a nation; I will move them to anger by a foolish nation.

Hosea 5:3, 6:10

I know Ephraim, And Israel is not hidden from Me; For now, O Ephraim, you commit adultery; Israel is defiled.

I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel: There is the adultery of Ephraim; Israel is defiled.

Here we can see the Husband, who is YHWH was provoked to jealousy by Israel. In the law of jealousy the husband becomes jealous. YHHW is jealous of His wife. The woman may have defiled herself. We see the very same terminology with the House of Israel being the wife of YHWH.

Matthew 26:57

And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled

The adulterous wife is taken to the high priest, Yeshua is taken to the high priest. So far, Yeshua has hit all the high points of the adulterous wife. He says He came only for the lost sheep of the House of Israel. I believe this is to take her place due to her sin. We can also know that Yeshua took the place of the sinner in the story of Barabbas.

Matthew 27:20-21

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!”

Mark 15:7

And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion

John 18:40

Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

Barabbas was a murderer and a thief. He represents a sinner and Yeshua was killed in his place. This is symbolic of the idea He took the place of the adulterous wife.

Matthew 26:39, 42

He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”

The adulterous wife had to drink a cup of bitter water to show whether or not she had committed adultery. This is the cup Yeshua is speaking about in the garden.

John 19:28-30

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Galatians 3:13-14

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Deuteronomy 21:22-23

“If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God.

As seen in the law of jealousy the woman becomes a curse. We see here Christ has become a curse for us, and was hung on a tree to assure the idea that He was cursed.

Numbers 5:21-22

then the priest shall put the woman under the oath of the curse, and he shall say to the woman—“the Lord make you a curse and an oath among your people, when the Lord makes your thigh rot and your belly swell; and may this water that causes the curse go into your stomach, and make your belly swell and your thigh rot.” ‘Then the woman shall say, “Amen, so be it.”

The Hebrew word used for rot found in Numbers 5:22 is Strong's H5307 – naphal. This word can be translated to cease, die, waste away, fall short, to let drop, and cause to fail. Any of these could be acceptable.  

The phrase thigh waste away or rot could be a direct reference to Yeshua’s using his thigh muscles to lift Himself up to breath while hanging on the cross.

According to a science article put out by the Guardian News, this seems to be a definite possibility because hanging on the cross would require supporting yourself with thigh muscles until they eventually gave out.

“The feet were nailed to the upright part of the crucifix, so that the knees were bent at around 45 degrees. To speed death, executioners would often break the legs of their victims to give no chance of using their thigh muscles as support. It was probably unnecessary, as their strength would not have lasted more than a few minutes even if they were unharmed.”

The phrase “the Lord make you a curse and an oath among your people” is translated in other ways as well. For example the Complete Jewish Bible says this, “…may Adonai make you an object of cursing and condemnation among your people …” Now couple this with the passage found in Matthew.

Matthew 27:39

And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads

We can clearly see Yeshua was cursed at and condemned by His people. We was mocked and ridiculed. This is another example of what seemingly fits with what is stated in the law of jealousy.

From what I have found concerning the science behind the crucifixion of Yeshua it seems His lungs would have filled with fluid as He hung from the cross. The weight of the fluid which filled His lungs would have pulled down on the lungs and push the abdomen out in a swelling.  This can be directly linked to show the adulterous woman’s abdomen swelling. Yeshua suffered bitterly as He hung on the cross which is another direct link to the law of jealousy found in verse 27.

Numbers 5:27

If she has defiled herself by being unfaithful to her husband, the water that brings on the curse will cause bitter suffering….

Yeshua undoubtedly took on the curse of the adulterous woman. There are simply far too many similarities between what He went through and what the adulterous wife was supposed to experience. Knowing the adulterous wife was the House of Israel, and knowing Yeshua came only for the lost sheep of the House of Israel, it all makes so much more sense. It is truly all about the love YHWH has for His chosen people. 

We can conclude from the similarities Yeshua took our place as the adulterous wife.

1.       Was bought for 30 silver pieces

2.       Brought husband to jealousy

3.       Defiled by another who is not the husband

4.       Went before the high priest

5.       Drank from the cup of sour wine/water

6.       Became a curse

All of these things should have come upon the House of Israel. Instead, the House of Israel was scattered among all the gentile nations of the world. This is the reason Yeshua says He came only for the House of Israel. They were the adulterous wife, but Yeshua stepped in and became cursed for them. Take this idea and compound it with the Deuteronomy 24 marriage law, which binds a wife to her husband so long as He lives, and being unable to return to the husband once divorced and defiled and there is no question as to why Yeshua had to die.

Clarifications for "The Gospel (part 5) Jesus and the Jews"

There have been a few questions raised about my stance on Jesus and the Jews article, as expected. I will state the arguments against and defend my stance in the following portion. I will break them down into sections rather than lay the whole dispute out at once. This way I can address each portion of the dispute.

Argument - “Both Israel and Judah went into captivity for sin and idolatry, thus were both divorced from YHWH.”

I agree, both the Houses of Israel and Judah went into captivity due to their idolatry, however, only Israel was divorced by YHWH. There is no verse or passage in the entire Bible that supports the House of Judah ever being divorced by YHWH. Contrary to that idea, there is a promise made to King David stating his seed will be established on the throne forever.

2 Samuel 7:12-16

When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.”

This is clearly stating, when David dies, his offspring will be sitting on the throne forever. Some say this is referring to Yeshua, however, it is clear it is not because He mentions this offspring committing sin and YHWH says how He will deal with that situation. He will be punished by the rod of men, however, YHWH will not depart from him. To wrap it up, YHWH says to David, who is a descendant of Judah, “Your throne shall be established forever”.

Argument - “The prophets actually state that though Judah didn't go into sin and idolatry as soon as Israel, when they did, it was WORSE than Israel's sin.”

Jeremiah 3:8-11

And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks. And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD. And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.

Ezekiel 23:11

And when her sister Aholibah saw this, she was more corrupt in her inordinate love than she, and in her whoredoms more than her sister in her whoredoms.

Now, I agree Judah was worse with her lust after other gods. There is no doubt. But again, there is absolutely no verse mentioning the House of Judah being divorced. It is the House of Israel that was divorced in the verses above. I do not dispute the House of Judah being more unfaithful.

Argument – “To think that Judah was the obedient son in the prodigal parable is to ignore the facts. Both were sent forth from Yah's face. Both broke the Covenant. This is why the Temple was destroyed 3 TIMES. And the Temple was in JUDAH.”

There is no doubt in my mind that Judah is the obedient son in the parable of the prodigal son. It is not ignoring the facts. The Jews are the only people in the world who held close to the Torah over the past few millennia. Did they sin? Of course they did. All men are in a fallen state and tend to fall victim to the desires of the flesh. I never once mentioned the Jews were perfect in the ways of God. YHWH says, in the promise to David, his people would be punished for violating His Torah, and they were. To say Judah is not the obedient son in the parable is to ignore the facts. There are only two Houses, the house of Israel and the house of Judah. Judah has had the scriptures from the beginning and were only held captive in Babylon for seventy years.

Jeremiah 29:10

For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.

There is nothing similar to this referring to the house of Israel. Therefore, we know it was the house of Israel who was the lost son, making the house of Judah the obedient son. Take Romans 3 for example.

Romans 3:1-2

What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the scriptures of God.

The house of Judah have an advantage over the house of Israel because they were raised learning the scriptures of YHWH. On the other hand, the house of Israel have been learning the traditions of men and the ways of the world and must relearn the ways of YHWH. The house of Israel has gone out into the world and forgetting all the ways of the Father and went about rejoicing in the desires of the flesh ultimately ending up living with the swine, now has to return to Him and His ways. This is exactly what we see in the parable.

Argument – “Any Jew or Gentile who rejects Yahshua, is lost. They aren't Torah observant. They always have been rebellious. It's the history of the nation. This is why Paul concludes both Jews and Gentiles both need Messiah for salvation.”

Romans 3:7-26

For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say, their condemnation is just. What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.

As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” “Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of asps is under their lips”; “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; Destruction and misery are in their ways; And the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

I think this verse was posted because it mentions both Jews and Greeks being under sin. However, I still see this verse as a tool showing the two houses coming back together. Both have been sinful and neither one is more important than the other. The Jews have the Law and know what sin is from early in life while the “Greeks” did not and have to learn what sin is.

This passage shows Paul asking if the apostles are better than those who slanderously say the apostles are teaching men’s sin is righteous because it brings about more grace. But he says no, this is not what they are teaching because both the house of Judah and the house of Israel are under sin, there isn’t one better than the other. This means they have all broken the Law of God and none can be made righteous by simply using the Law as a check box.

Do I believe the Jews need Yeshua? I believe they do need to accept who He was and what He did. What I mean is, His death allowed the house of Israel to return to the Law of God, and allowed the house of Israel the opportunity to stand before YHWH. Through faith in Yeshua, meaning believing what He did allows the house of Israel to return to the promises given by YHWH, the house of Judah and the house of Israel can be reunited as one because the middle wall of separation being removed. 

The Gospel (part 5) Jesus and the Jews

This is probably going to be the most controversial part of the series. What I am going to say here will seem contrary to what everyone has always been taught about Jesus as the Messiah, but I plan to give ample scriptural evidence to back the claims I am making. Once you have read the claims along with the evidence, I welcome your challenges of the scripture.

Claim: Yeshua (Jesus) did not die for the Jews.

Before anyone starts throwing around the anti-Semitic talk, hear me out. Yeshua is the promised Messiah of the Old Testament. I do not dispute that and I believe He will return and complete the rest of the prophecies concerning the King of Kings. There are many verses we will go through here, but we will start with one that was discussed in part 2.

Matthew 15:24

But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

If Christ Himself says this, we can either believe Him, or not believe Him. I believe He said exactly what He meant based on all the evidence laid out in parts 1-4. Now, I plan to dive a bit deeper into some of the issues I have run into about Jesus and the Jews. First, piggy-backing off of some of the other parts already discussed, lets get into a parable Yeshua gave to the disciples.

Luke 15:11-32 

Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I willarise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’

“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

“Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’

“But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

“And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’”

This parable is specifically referring to the two nations Israel divided into. The House of Judah, the older, and the House of Israel, the younger. We are going to focus on the older House of Judah. We see here Judah was angry at the idea the Father was rejoicing over the return of the younger son. But more importantly we see Judah say, “I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time”. The Father replied with, “you are always with me, all that I have is yours”.

What we can take away from this is the idea that the Jews, who have been keeping the Torah have always been with YHWH. By doing the commands of YHWH, they have been with Him. Now, I understand the next argument you might make is what about Jesus always rebuking the Pharisees because they were Jews and they kept the Law of God. My response to this is, did they really though? Let’s look at what the Pharisees were doing according to the Bible.

Mark 7:5-9

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?”

 He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:

‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.”

He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.

We can see here the Pharisees were not keeping the Law of God. They were keeping the “tradition of the elders” also known as the “commandments of men”. We can even take away from this passage the Pharisees were the ones who were rejecting the commandment of God in favor of traditions of men. This means, they were not practicing the commandments YHWH gave to Moses, but instead they were adding to those commands and trying to hold the people accountable for the traditions of the elders. Next, we see Yeshua told the people to do as the Pharisees say when they sit in the “seat of Moses”.

Matthew 23:1-4

Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

So here is evidence that backs exactly what I said above. The Pharisees taught the Law of God during the Sabbath, that is, while sitting in the seat of Moses. Yeshua told them to observe these things. But, He then commands them not to do as the Pharisees would do because the Pharisees were binding heavy burdens on the people with the traditions of men.

So far we see the Jews have always been with God due to their keeping of His Law. We have read it was the teachers of the Law who added to His commandments and holding the Jews accountable to these traditions of men when they are not mentioned in the Bible. We see Yeshua compare the Pharisees to those who honor YHWH with their lips, but their hearts are far from YHWH. We have to understand it was not all the Jews who were adding to the Law and not all the Jews can be held accountable for that. Many could not read and relied on the Pharisees to teach them. When they read out of the Tanakh they were teaching the correct thing, according to Yeshua. When they taught their tradition of the elders, they were adding to the Law which was a violation of the Law. We can also take the word of Yeshua when He says He did not come to stop the Law of God.

Matthew 5:17-20

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

This passage is used to prove Jesus put an end to the Law of God. However, that simply does not make sense. He says He did not come to destroy the Law but instead to fulfill it. So, how could this mean bring an end to it considering bringing an end to it and destroying it result in the same thing? This word fulfill needs to be looked at in a bit more depth. The Greek word for “fulfill” is Strong's G4137 – plēroō. It is used in many other places and if we say it means fulfill in terms of bringing an end to something, it should be able to be used in the same context in the other usages as well.

Matthew 3:15

But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.

Should we read this as, “it is fitting for us to bring to an end all righteousness.” Or does it make more sense as, “it is fitting for us to carry out all righteousness”?

Luke 22:15-16

Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

How about this one, “I will no longer eat of it until it is brought to an end in the kingdom of God”? This simply doesn’t make logical sense. Or does it make more sense as, “I will no longer eat of it until it is carried out in the kingdom of God”?

John 17:13

But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.

Finally, should we understand this as, “they may have my joy brought to an end in themselves”? Or does it make more sense as, “they may have My joy carried out in themselves”?

It seems much more likely this word should be translated as carried out in all of these verses as opposed to “brought to an end”. To fulfill a prophecy is to carry it out. To fulfill the law is to carry it out. Let’s look at the verse in question one more time.

Matthew 5:17

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

What makes more sense? “I did not come to destroy but to bring an end to” or “I did not come to destroy but to carry out”? Obviously, it makes much more sense in each of these situations to mean carry out.

Next we see heaven and earth will pass away before the Law of God does because every single thing in the Law and prophets must take place first. Now for the part that relates to everyone.

Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

The Pharisees were breaking these commandments and teaching men to do so as well. Now consider churches today teach its not only okay to break them, but they don’t even apply to believers today. This begs the question, who is more like a Pharisee today, the preacher who says we do not need to keep the Law of God and teaches against it, or the guy who says we should keep the Law of God and teaches in favor of it? Now, we also see it is those who teach men against keep His Law that will be considered least in the kingdom of heaven. I don’t know about you, but I definitely do not want to “just make it” to heaven. I want to make it and be close to my Savior. It is the man who keeps and teaches in favor of them who will be considered greatest in the kingdom.

Next, notice what Yeshua says. To enter into the kingdom of heaven, one must exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees. This is doable by simply keeping His Law. The next argument you may make is that the Law is too difficult to keep for any man. This line of thinking directly contradicts scripture itself.

Deuteronomy 30:11-14

“For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.

Moses says it right here, the Law of God is near to us and not too difficult for men. Furthermore, we know both Yeshua and Paul are considered prophets and teachers. They are both from the House of Judah. The House of Judah has been keeping the Law of God, for the most part, since the beginning. Both Yeshua and Paul knew the Tanakh (all of the Old Testament) better than anyone else in the world. With that being the case, why would we even entertain the thought the Father would send a prophet or teacher who taught against His Law when His Law describes a false prophet and teacher as the following?

Deuteronomy 13:1-5

“If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known—‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has spoken in order to turn you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of bondage, to entice you from the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. So you shall put away the evil from your midst.

This is considered the Deuteronomy 13 test and it clearly shows exactly how to test a man’s teaching. If anyone teaches against the Law of God he should be considered a false prophet and teacher. This is precisely why many Jews will not accept Yeshua as the Messiah, and outright reject Paul altogether.  If either of them taught against keeping God’s Law, we should throw out their teachings. However, I have done extensive work showing Paul does not teach against the Law of God, and Yeshua’s words are simply being twisted to say it is only for the Jews or we don’t need the Law.

All in all, Yeshua came for the Northern Kingdom of the House of Israel, and not the Jews. The Jews, were and still do keep the Law of God. Yeshua’s death was to release the House of Israel from the marriage law found in the Torah that stopped that group from coming back to the Father. Yeshua is the Messiah, even for the Jews because He will ultimately bring both Houses back together as one chosen people. So yes, Yeshua is important to the Jews, but no, He did not die for their sins.

Ezekiel 37:15-28

Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “As for you, son of man, take a stick for yourself and write on it: ‘For Judah and for the children of Israel, his companions.’ Then take another stick and write on it, ‘For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel, his companions.’ Then join them one to another for yourself into one stick, and they will become one in your hand.

“And when the children of your people speak to you, saying, ‘Will you not show us what you mean by these?’— say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Surely I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and I will join them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand.” ’ And the sticks on which you write will be in your hand before their eyes.

“Then say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again. They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God.

“David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them. Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore.  My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people. The nations also will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.” ’ ”

This is the prophecy of the two sticks, which is the two houses. Notice, David will be king over them. David is Yeshua because He is descended from David. Yeshua will be the king over both the House of Judah and the House of Israel. Yeshua has made both gentiles and Jews one together and has broken down the middle wall of separation. The Jews believed gentiles were lesser people and they did not associate with each other.

Ephesians 2:14

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

Notice this verse is not referring to the Law of God, but instead the law of commandments contained in ordinances that divided both the Jews and Gentiles, who are the House of Judah and the House of Israel. When YHWH divorced the Northern Kingdom, the Southern Kingdom no longer associated with them and made it a written law found within their traditions. When Yeshua abolished this enmity between the two houses, He created in Himself One New man from the two separate houses, which made peace between the two. He did this to reconcile the two as one back to YHWH. This is the beginning of the two sticks prophecy coming to pass. This is why Yeshua is so important for the Jews. However, until we show the Jews Yeshua and Paul did not teach against the Law of God, they will not accept Him. They cannot.

Isaiah 11:12-13

He will set up a banner for the gentiles, And will assemble the outcasts of Israel, And gather together the dispersed of Judah From the four corners of the earth. Also the envy of Ephraim shall depart, And the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not envy Judah, And Judah shall not harass Ephraim.

YHWH will set up a signal for the gentiles, assembling the outcasts of Israel, as well as gathering together the dispersed of Judah. Ephraim will no longer be envious of Judah and Judah will no longer be hostile to the house of Israel. This is exactly what we see with the middle wall of separation which divided the house of Judah from the house of Israel. We also see the banner is for the gentiles, who have the house of Israel within them.

Acts 10:28

Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

John 4:9-10

Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

Galatians 2:11-14

Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?

These are some very important passages concerning the Jews and the Gospel. From Acts, Peter says it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with gentiles. This is not found in the Law of God, so we can assume this is strictly a Jewish oral law. But, we see Peter says YHWH showed him that gentiles should not be considered unclean. It was Yeshua’s death on the cross which cleans them of their adulterous sin.

The passage from John confirms this law and shows the gentile woman stating Jews do not deal with gentiles. Then a huge, and massively misunderstood passage from Galatians also shines some light on this issue. Peter, after having his vision from God, and going out and preaching to the gentiles they are no longer considered unclean but part of God’s plan. But, when the Jews who were part of the circumcision sect showed up, Peter was afraid and disassociated himself from them. This led to the other Jews following suit. This is the reason Paul called him out, not because he was keeping the Law of God, but because he was keeping the Jewish oral law. Peter was being a hypocrite by preaching all men, Jews and Gentiles, could come to YHWH according to what Yeshua did. He was preaching gentiles were not unclean and could associate with Jews, and then when in the sight of the high powered Sect of the circumcision Jews he went back to treating them as if they were unworthy. Paul relates this idea to the straightforwardness of the truth of the gospel.

Clarifications < click here to see answers to a few questions that arose from this blog.

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