March 2019
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 26
Hebraic understanding of the Apostolic letters
Please read the introduction (No. 23) for background to this Epistle
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The convenience of chapter and verse divisions in our Scriptures can sometimes cause us to miss the flow of the actual letter, which is as Paul wrote it. So it is good to read back into the previous chapter(s) to remind ourselves of the subject matter. In this case Paul had just used the quite unusual analogy of the bond-woman and the free-woman in explaining the relationship between the yoke of bondage produced in Pharisaic Judaism (the bond-woman) and salvation through the child of promise (the free-woman). Hence the opening verse this week, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage”.
Now let us be clear in our thinking. This is almost invariably taught as a statement about the supposed obsolescence of Torah. It is NOT. How do we know that? Because it is inconceivable that Rabbi Sha’ul, a Torah observant Jew, disciple (imitator, copier, student, Apostle) of Yeshua, (who declared that anyone who taught against Torah would be ‘least’ in the Kingdom of Heaven), would teach such heresy. Additionally, from Paul’s own testimony before many of his accusers and judges in the Book of Acts, he many times affirms that that he had done ‘nothing against the customs of the forefathers’ (of Judaism). So what is it? It is a declaration that the free gift of salvation in Yeshua, cannot be earned, try as you might, by just keeping the man-made rules of Pharisaic Judaism.
Paul went further. He said that if anyone abandons the free gift of salvation in Yeshua and instead, attempts to rely on the man-made rules of Pharisaic Judaism for salvation, then that person “has fallen from grace”. Wow! This is serious business. Read it again! “You have been estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by the law; you have fallen from grace.” The word is crystal clear. No ambiguity about his topic. The mystery is how some so misunderstand it.
So salvation is through the sacrificial death of Yeshua, and those who find it are called by the Holy Spirit of God to walk in that faith. Paul then encouraged the “ekklesia” to “Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfil the lust of the flesh”. Now if anyone has doubt about what this means, Paul provides a l-o-n-g list, in Galatians 5: 19-21, for any who may be so inclined, to check themselves on how much “flesh” might remain, even in those who believe they have been saved! It is Paul’s list, not mine!
Then in absolute contrast Paul described the Spirit led, very well-known list of attributes which should be exhibited in the lives of all who “walk in the Spirit”. But it may come as a surprise to many, that many Bibles continue with “against such there is no law”, or similar. The Complete Jewish Bible translates this as “Nothing in the Torah stands against such things”. The Living Bible says “and here there is no conflict with Jewish laws.” So I conclude that Paul is affirming that in following God’s instructions for righteous living (Torah), a person should also exhibit the same qualities which are in the person led by the Spirit. And why not, after all, the same Spirit was in the beginning!!
“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” It’s about how we live isn’t it? You want to fulfil the law of Messiah Yeshua? Then ‘bear one another’s burdens’. Look after each other. Consider what you can DO to make another person feel loved and appreciated. It’s not about legalistic observance. It is good practical advice from Paul.
Now consider how this letter started. Paul was concerned that some who had commenced a life of faith in Yeshua were being drawn away into legalistic observances in some vain attempt to appease God. He chastised them for their gullibility and ‘foolishness’. And over the course of this letter he returns to his familiar theme. Your salvation is assured by your faith in Messiah Yeshua. The New Covenant is guaranteed by His shed blood. There is nothing you can physically do to earn that salvation. BUT, there is plenty for you to do to live righteously. It is a self-motivated decision as to how you choose to live your life. “Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” he said. It is not hypothetical, it’s practical.
We said at the beginning that ‘Galatians’ is often portrayed as a conflict between “law and grace”. It is nothing of the sort. It is a very practical discourse in how to live effectively AFTER one has availed oneself of God’s salvation gift. It is free. One can do nothing more to earn it. But one can follow the instructions God has given to order one’s life to be pleasing to Him, and to be fruitful within the “ekklesia” into which one is planted.
May God grant that you ‘bear much fruit’ as you study His word.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 25
Hebraic understanding of the Apostolic letters
Please read the introduction (No. 23) for background to this Epistle.
“O foolish Galations!” Paul hadn’t read ‘How to win friends and influence people” had he? Forthright. Unbending. Without doubt or apology. “Who has bewitched you?” You know the truth, ‘I couldn’t have presented it any clearer’, he is saying. So tell me this. I know you have received the Spirit of faith. So how did you receive that Spirit? Was it by religiously following the instructions of the Rabbi’s? Or was it by hearing my testimony of the change that God brought about in me? And then experienced it for yourself. You have seen the miracle of lives changed in those who, by faith, have trusted in Yeshua. Did you see that because you began to follow the religious practices of the Orthodox Jews? Or because you heard the testimony of the faith of others? And then believed yourself. So why are you so easily returning to fleshly attempts to gain the salvation that you already have?
Look at the Scriptures. God knew that Gentiles would become believers too, otherwise He would not have told Abraham that all the nations of the world would be blessed as a result of his faith. And they are. There are infinitely more Gentile believers in Yeshua in the world than there are Jewish. So the message Paul is conveying is that, through faith, even Gentiles have already become ‘sons of Abraham’. Partakers of the covenants, by faith. But what many of us today expect is to be partakers of the covenant blessings without concern for covenant responsibilities!
“Keeping the law (Torah) for salvation’s sake is impossible.” said Paul. If one could gain salvation by keeping Torah, God would not have had to send Yeshua into this world. The Torah is the “Book of the Covenant”. The people of Israel agreed to live by it. “All that the Lord has said we will do” they said. There is nothing wrong with Torah. The Psalmist tells us that “The Torah of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul”. But God gave mankind a free will. And mankind did not keep the Covenant he had made with God. (Note:- There is to be a New Covenant. One that cannot be broken. It is the same Torah. It is to be made with the same people as the first. It will not be taught. It will be written on hearts and put in minds by God Himself. And it is guaranteed by the blood of Yeshua. Unbreakable. Read its terms in Jeremiah 31 and Hebrews 8)
So that first Covenant was imperfect in that it was, and is, optional. But mankind also has freewill in relation to faith in Yeshua. It is only those who willingly, freely, exercise the option to accept the sacrifice of Yeshua who are saved. There is no other way! The promise to Abraham was not to “seeds” as in many, but to his “seed”, being the One who came to bear the sin of many. Namely Yeshua.
Paul reminded them, and us, that God’s promises to Abraham, which are irrevocable, relating to his “seed”, preceded the Torah instructions by 430 years, and the Torah does not supersede the promises made to Abraham. So what is the purpose of the Torah? It wasn’t for salvation. Paul describes it as a ‘tutor’ to bring us to Yeshua. It was a timely reminder of right and wrong in God’s sight, teaching us what God expects from those who are His. It still does. But when Yeshua came, he provided the perfect sacrificial Lamb, Who takes away the sin of the world. Once, for all time in the future. And we will see later, in Galations 5 how the Torah fits perfectly into the lifestyle expectation of those who are saved and experience a Spirit filled life.
Galations 4:8-11, with its reference to ‘observing days and months and years’ is mistakenly used by some to denigrate the keeping of Torah by those who are in Christ. Read it again. These words apply to the unsaved, “when you did not know God” Paul said. So they refer to pagan rituals. Paul continued “I am afraid for you, lest I have laboured in vain for you”. Did I waste my time? he is saying. Paul had worked hard and long to preach the truth to save them from paganism, in spite of his physical limitations, whatever they were. He agonised that they would consider abandoning that simple faith in Yeshua.
Paul moves to an analogy which is somewhat mysterious. That of the bond-woman and the free-woman. That mystery becomes clearer when one recognizes that Paul, in this analogy, sees the bond-woman as man’s attempt to use ‘works of Torah’ to obtain salvation, (helping God out of a problem as it were) which, in turn is analogous to the Pharisaic yoke of bondage. As opposed to the free-woman, who produced the Child of promise, through whom salvation is provided as the free gift of God to all who believe. “So then”, Paul exhorts the “ekklesia”, “we are not children of the bond-woman, but of the free.” And just as Genesis 21 exhorts Abraham to ‘cast out the bondwoman’, so should they, Paul said, if they see her as a way of salvation. But that has nothing to do with abandoning Torah, God’s instruction for righteous living.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 24
Hebraic understanding of the Apostolic letters
Please read the introduction (No. 23) for background to this Epistle.
As a result of Paul’s first missionary journey there were a number of “ekklesia” formed in Galatia in Central Turkey. They operated as a sect of Judaism and worshipped in the local synagogues. Each “ekklesia” became a mixed congregation of Jew and Gentile, and the Gentile members of the “ekklesia” had not been required to submit to the Abrahamic covenant sign of circumcision because salvation by faith in Yeshua does not require it. But they were under attack!
The attack they were experiencing, was orchestrated by fellow members within the same synagogue who did not accept Yeshua as the Messiah of God! These strictly Orthodox Jews stuck rigidly to the Oral Torah and the detailed rabbinic interpretation of the Torah. They had sought to ‘protect’ the Torah, placing formidable ‘hedges’ around it, which exist to this very day. The ‘hedges’ (manmade rules) were such that they were described as a heavy yoke, a burden, even impossible to comply with. One of the key characteristics of compliance, of course, was the Abrahamic covenant sign of circumcision. And they were demanding that ALL male members of their synagogue comply.
Yeshua, our Redeemer, was the perfect, Torah observant, Jew! In fact, He is described as “the living Torah”. Paul, also a Torah observant Jew, had formerly been a fervent advocate of Rabbinic Judaism. He knew all about what it involved and he had been a persecutor of those who did not adhere to the strict rabbinic letter of the “law”. Many such practices were described by Yeshua as ‘the traditions of men’. So Paul was perfectly placed to see the issues. In fact, he was almost ‘tearing his hair out’ at seeing what was happening to Gentiles who had once come to genuine faith in Yeshua, but were now being told that they had to be circumcised in order to continue fellowshipping in the synagogue.
Paul was at pains to explain, in this letter, that his commission as an Apostle was not from men. He did not actually meet Peter and the other Apostles until three years after his ‘conversion’. As a young Rabbi he had risen in the ranks of Judaism above most of his contemporaries prior to his encounter with Yeshua. It was that encounter which caused his lifestyle change in taking up the ministry of spreading the gospel message of salvation, by faith, to Gentiles. It was an amazingly successful mission too. Two of his ministry companions were Barnabas, a Jew, and Titus, a Greek. He provides some detail of the first fourteen years of his training in Apostleship, before he ventured to Jerusalem to visit the other Apostles. He made that visit because ‘false brethren’ had secretly spied (and presumably reported) on him to the Jerusalem Council, concerning the liberty (from compulsory circumcision) of the salvation which they preached in the Gentile world. (we also conclude from reading Acts 21 that they also falsely reported that Paul was teaching against the Torah of Moses! And this is the precise point of misunderstanding of this Epistle to the Galatians which many of us are still taught in our churches today) Paul was not anti-Torah, he was anti-proselytising of Gentiles into Orthodox Judaism, and he explained that even Titus, a Gentile believer and fellow teacher, was not compelled to be circumcised (as were the Gentile believers in the “ekklesia” of Galatia.)
So a division of responsibilities was recognised. Peter, the Apostle to Jews (the circumcised) and Paul the Apostle to Gentiles (the uncircumcised). But Paul had observed what he described as hypocrisy in the behaviour of other Jews, specifically Peter. It seems that Peter happily fellowshipped with Gentiles as equals in the faith (remember the story of his vision of ‘the sheet’ in Acts 10) when there were no other ‘important’ Jews around, but separated himself from his Gentile brothers in Christ when there were. Such was Peter’s fear of alienation from his Jewish friends. Now, if Peter were so concerned, just think of the pressure felt by these believers in the “ekklesia” in Galatia when faced, by friends in their synagogue who were the antagonistic Orthodox Jews. Paul understood this, but he quickly got to the real issue. No-one is justified by the ‘works of the law (Torah)’. The Temple sacrificial system was instituted by God to allow a person to ‘draw near to Him’. No-one was ‘saved’ by just going through the motions of the ‘works of the law’. For Abraham, it was his faith that counted for righteousness, and that faith was born of obedience. Trusting God. Religiously keeping Torah, as Paul did as an Orthodox Rabbi, didn’t ‘save’ him or anyone else. Rather, it is being ‘saved’ by faith in Yeshua, which calls one to obedience to the Torah (instructions for righteous living). That is living the way God intended His people to live. “For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God” said Paul. It was understanding God’s purpose in providing Torah that caused Paul, by revelation, to turn his back on trying to ‘earn his salvation’ by the rigid legalism of the Pharisaic way . In its place he embraced Judaism as God intended, just like all the early believers, trusting Yeshua for his salvation, but continuing to obey God’s instructions.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 23
Hebraic understanding of the Apostolic letters
Galatians …. An Introduction
Possibly the most misunderstood of Paul’s letters. He had visited this region on his first missionary journey and initiated the formation of several “ekklesia” in the region. Written in the early to mid 50’s C.E. after he received a report that these “ekklesia” were being targeted, and influenced, by some orthodox ‘Judaiasers’. Galations is NOT a “grace” v “law” treatise, as is often taught, but rather a re-statement of the truth of unmerited salvation by faith alone, but within the framework of Messianic Judaism.
Because ‘Galations’ is so greatly misunderstood through centuries of anti-Israel (or perhaps anti-Torah) interpretation of the Apostolic Scriptures in church history, I have decided to take the unusual step of providing an additional introductory ‘reflection’ to this Epistle. If you believe what most of us were taught in our churches, that Paul was converted from Judaism to Christianity (as we know it today), this will be a bit of a shock to you. The way that the ‘conversion’ of Rabbi Sha’ul in Acts 9 is viewed is pivotal to my understanding. There is ample evidence, from Paul’s own lips, in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles to verify his lifestyle as a fervent believer in Yeshua, but remaining a Torah Observant Jew right up to Acts 28:17 near the time of his death in Rome.
All the early believers in the Messiahship of Yeshua were Jewish, and they worshipped in Synagogues. They kept the “mo’edim” (appointed times) of the Lord, and they remained fervently zealous in Torah Observance (Acts 21:20). They were soon increasingly joined by Gentile believers in the diaspora, who fellowshipped in the same Synagogues, which presented a huge challenge to Jewish Orthodoxy, because the Gentiles were accepted into their fellowship without undergoing a formal conversion to Judaism as a proselyte (evidenced by circumcision). And that is the very crux of the disputes which Paul addresses comprehensively in this letter to the Galations. But to correctly interpret this letter it is imperative that one understands the ‘conversion’ experienced by Rabbi Sha’ul on the road to Damascus. He described himself as a fervent persecutor of these Jewish believers (Messianic Jews) and it was precisely to this group that he was ‘converted’. Still a Jew, still a Rabbi, still Torah Observant, but now a Messianic Jew. However, if he was NOT, then Yeshua Himself condemns him in Matthew 5:19 as being ‘the least in the Kingdom of God’. But we know that he is a giant of our faith as believers. The Jerusalem Council, in Acts 21:24, described Paul as having an “orderly walk and keeper of the Torah”. And so he was.
There is some debate about when this letter was written. Was it before or after the deliberations of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15. Tim Hegg, in his excellent book “The Letter Writer”, uses scholarly investigation of both Biblical and non-Biblical sources to conclude that it was written before the Jerusalem Council letter concerning Gentile believers. His main argument hinges on the fact that the Jerusalem Council letter would have cleared up some of those contentious elements which caused Paul to write this letter at all.
But even this “letter to the Gentiles” is misunderstood. Many today correctly point to the three conditions which were required of Gentile believers in order that they might share fellowship with Messianic Jews. They relate specifically to Idolatry, Dietary laws and Sexual Immorality. However, completely ignored is the very next verse in our Bibles which qualifies this limited list. “For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” The clear implication being that the rest of the Torah will be learned as they attended the regular weekly Shabbat gatherings of believers.
We will ‘reflect’ on the specifics as we study the text of Paul’s letter in coming weeks.
The major issue being faced by these Galatian “ekklesia” was the intrusion of Orthodox Jews who rejected the Messiahship of Yeshua, but had influence within the synagogues. They were insisting that Gentiles, who wished to fellowship with them should submit themselves to formal ‘conversion’ as proselytes, by circumcision and the full gammit of legalistic observances of the Oral Torah.
Paul would have none of it! And next week we begin our ‘reflections’ on the detail.
In paraphrase, to the churches of Galatia, Paul wrote: “I am an Apostle appointed by Yeshua Himself, and all the brethren who are with me send greetings in His name. He gave Himself, that we might be delivered from this present evil age and freely partake of His salvation. Let’s get that straight, because I am astounded that some of you are so readily turning away from that simple truth which I brought to you when I was with you.”
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 22
Hebraic understanding of the teaching letters of the Apostles
2 Corinthians 11 : 1 to 13 : 14
Scholars have discerned that there were at least four letters written by Paul to the “ekklesia” in Corinth. 1 Corinthians, the second written, refers to a previous letter of which there is no longer a written record (1 Cor 5:9), and 2 Corinthians contains the next two. Chapters 1-9 probably the last written, and chapters 10-13 the third written. In 2 Corinthians, Paul defends his calling and character as an Apostle.
An amazing insight into the character of Paul as he writes so personally about himself, as of a parent concerned for his cherished children. He acknowledges his self-effacing imperfection, in speech and presentation, but remains fiercely protective of them. He uses the analogy of seeking, and introducing them to, the best possible marriage partner for his children. Presenting to them, and encouraging them, to accept the pure, simple, love of Yeshua. But, in love, warning them also to be mindful of the pitfalls and traps in life by which the innocent, the unwary, and the young may be seduced.
He shows concern for the fact that he placed no financial burden on the ‘ekklesia’ as he worked and taught among them, and wonders if that might be seen, because it was freely given, as having no value. I find myself considering (because there is no clue in the text itself) whether he might be comparing himself here with the ‘false apostles’ who DID charge for their service to them, hence appearing, in their falsity, to have some credibility. Such persons are still identifiable, even today. Paul’s description of such persons is quite graphic! “deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness”. The question for them, and for us, is how to recognize such falsity. The Torah provides a clear means of identification. Read Deuteronomy 13. Paul knew it well. The identifier is if the words of that ‘prophet’ have the result of taking one away from the word of God. Remember what the Psalmist told us? “For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.” (Psalm 138:2) His WORD is truth and God will not say, or cause you to do or be, anything which is contrary to His word. His word says that salvation is freely available through the blood of Yeshua. Remember Peter’s sermon in Acts 4, wherein, talking about the risen Yeshua he said “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Anyone who teaches differently is a ‘false prophet’.
There is something of a mystery about Paul’s ‘man’ who was caught up into the third heaven. Many commentators believe Paul speaks of his own experience. The possibilities are left to one’s imagination, but the essence of this experience being included here, if indeed it was Paul’s own, is that he mentions it without ‘boast’. We have probably heard of people today who speak of such an experience, and in great detail! Paul rather ‘boasts’ about his infirmity! Why? Because in his infirmity, his reliance is totally in God to accomplish the ministry tasks God had given to him. We do not even know the precise nature of his infirmity. Eyesight? Speech? Stature? That ‘thorn in the flesh’, Paul sees as a messenger of Satan, keeping him humble before God and men. Interestingly, whatever was Paul’s infirmity was approved by God! Not only that, but God also declined Paul’s request for healing from it!! Now there is food for thought. “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in (your) weakness.”
Paul evidently intended to visit this “ekklesia’ a third time. One of the clues to this being considered a separate letter (see introduction above) is that last week, we saw Paul encouraging them to take offerings for the other believers, which he or his emissary would collect. Here Paul says “I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours (that which you have), but you.” This statement has some very lovely parallels in our own relationship with Yeshua. He does not seek our commitment to Him for what He receives from us, but for what He imparts to us. Principally, I think, in the realm of a righteous, fulfilling, useful, productive life here on earth, and throughout eternity. What does the prophet Micah tell us about the Lord’s requirement of us? “To do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
That was Paul’s message to this “ekklesia”, but he was fearful that in his absence, without his continual teaching, he would find something very different. Read his concerns in verses 20,21 of chapter 12. So he exhorts them, as we ourselves need to be reminded, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” Dear friends, this is not about what we SAY we believe, it is about how we live. Paul is quite forthright in stating that the evidence of faith is in how we live. His epistle was written because the reported evidence that their errant lifestyle didn’t match the rhetoric. And it should, both for them and for us.
Shabbat Shalom
RS