The Gospel (part 11) A Difference in Understanding

There are three ways to understand the message or messages contained within the entirety of the Bible. The three ways are the atheistic way, the modern Christianity way, and the ancient Christian way. I will briefly discuss each of these three methods in the following few paragraphs in the hopes to bring a better understanding to why I believe and write what I do.

The first, and easiest way, is to simply take it as fiction and not believe anything written within its pages. This is the atheistic method and to most atheist the Bible is simply a set of fictional bedtime stories, or a religious book used to control the masses. This method fails to take into account the countless prophecies the Bible gives that have historically been accurate. Obviously, I completely disregard this line of thinking. In my opinion, any book that has accurately prophesied many things accurately, and has not been wrong on any of its prophecies, I find extremely credible. Granted, not all the prophecies have yet come true, it doesn’t mean they have no chance to come true in the future. The biggest thing debunking the atheistic line of thought is the accuracy in which these prophecies have come true. It is not just that they came true, but they came true precisely how they were stated to come true.

 Isaiah 44:24, 27-28

Here is what Adonai says, your Redeemer, he who formed you in the womb: “I am Adonai, who makes all things, who stretched out the heavens all alone, who spread out the earth all by myself.

I say to the deep sea, ‘Dry up! I will make your streams run dry.’ I say of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, he will do everything I want. He will say of Jerusalem, “You will be rebuilt,” and of the temple, “Your foundation will be laid.”

According to the Greek historian Herodotus, the army of Cyrus diverted the waters of the Euphrates River, which flowed through the city of Babylon. Cyrus’ strategy enabled his troops to enter the city along the riverbed. After taking the city, Cyrus freed the Jews who had been captive in Babylon and allowed them to return and rebuild Jerusalem, which had been destroyed 70 years earlier.

Isaiah prophesied at the very latest in 686 BC. Cyrus was not even born until 600 BC. Not only did he get the prophecy correct about what would happen, he even got the name of the conqueror right. That is one of the most mind blowing parts of the prophetic Bible. This is just one example of the prophecies given in the Bible that have come to pass which causes my rejection of the atheistic point of view concerning the Bibles authenticity.

The next understanding, and the one we see most often today in church, is the modern Christianity way to view the Bible. So far, my understanding of this view is something like the following. The whole Bible is true and should concern us, but the Old Testament doesn’t really apply to Christians and therefore should not really be included in how believers live their daily lives. Another way I have heard this viewpoint described is similar to the first but states only certain parts should be included in our modern lifestyles such as what is known as the “moral law” of the Old Testament. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a moral law. There was one law given for both Israelite as well as the foreigner and all of it was to apply to both groups.

Exodus 12:49

One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you.

The last way of understanding this viewpoint comes in the form of a statement that I hear all too often. That statement is “Jesus fulfilled the Law, so we don’t need to worry about it. We need to worry about weightier things.” This really gets under my skin for the simple reason this statement doesn’t make any logical sense when you look at the verse in which those holding to this view use to back this understanding.

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.

Just a quick glance at this statement, maybe I could “get” what the argument is, but we are not told to simply read the Word, but rather to study it. Taking a deeper look at this particular verse, not to mention the following verse, can easily refute the idea Jesus kept the Law so I don’t have to argument. First, Jesus says He did not come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. To destroy something is to bring something to an end. So, immediately we can understand Jesus says He did not come to bring an end to the Law. Then He says He did come to fulfill the Law. There are two definitions for fulfill. The first is similar to destroy, it is to bring to completion, and this is where everyone seems to get hung up. The issue I have with this is the fact it brings the same end result as to destroy, and Jesus said He did not come to destroy the Law. Now, the second definition of fulfill makes so much more sense in context with the first part of Jesus’ statement. This definition is to carry out a task, duty, or role as required, pledged, or expected. If we use this understanding Jesus would be saying I did not come to bring an end to the Law or Prophets, I came to carry out the Law as required and expected by Torah.

I disregard this second viewpoint as well on the basis of prophecy because there seems to be too many holes concerning the New Testament in conjunction with the Old Testament prophecies. I absolutely believe if the prophets make a claim given by YHWH, that prophecy will undoubtedly come true, just the way it is given. It is because of this line of thinking that I must throw out the modern understanding of the Bible.

The last line of thinking is where I stand. The ancient Christian understanding of the Word of God. What I mean when I say this is a reference to the very first Christians, such as Paul, Peter, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Jude, and so on. The original Christian believers or followers. All of these guys only knew the Old Testament and they used they it for every aspect of their writings and teachings. If something did not line up with the scriptures they had in front of them, they would be forced to call it out as false, pagan, or against the Word of God.

Paul, he was, in my opinion, one of the most brilliant Old Testament scholars ever to walk the earth. He was able to connect everything Yeshua (Jesus) said directly back to the Old Testament and give understanding to others through reasoning about how it was exactly right in accordance with the Old Testament. The things that stands out to me the most, and is almost completely disregarded by the modern Church is the fact Paul was able to understand the most important prophecy of the entire Biblical history. As I stated earlier, prophecy is extremely important when it comes to a complete understanding of the scriptures. He understood how Yeshua, being YHWH in the flesh, could bring back the lost sheep of the House of Israel. Up until Paul, no one in history ever understood how YHWH would be able to remarry the scattered, divorced House of Israel without breaking His own given Law. This is the biggest prophecy from the Old Testament, and is the whole purpose for the New Testament. The prophecy says YHWH would reunite the House of Israel with the House of Judah as both Houses would be His people and He would be their God, and they would be remarried. His Law says if a man divorces His wife and she defiles herself with another, the first husband can never take her back. Therefore, if YHWH were to take back His divorced, defiled wife, He would be breaking His own Law. If He breaks His own Law, He no longer would be a just God and therefore would not be worthy of worship. Because Paul had the Torah committed to memory, he was able to figure out how Yeshua fulfilled this prophecy through His death. This view point does not throw out the Old Testament Laws given by YHWH, but rather embraces them fully. They are extremely important in the showing our faith in and love of the Father. This view embraces all the Laws of Torah, including the dietary and the feast days of YHWH. To take this even further, the Torah is not even considered Laws, but rather instructions because His way to live are better than man’s way to live. A lot of the things we are told to do in the Law because they are good for us science is proving to be correct, the dietary laws are a good example of this.

All this being said, I definitely hold to the third viewpoint which takes into account not only what Yeshua came to do, but also the entire Bible including all the prophecies. There is no part of scripture left out. If you are finding these statements offensive, I challenge you to use all of scripture to prove these statements wrong.

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.