Hello everyone,
I’m sorry, I just can’t keep up with this thread. If you are asking an answer of me, would you do me a favor and post the question/ questions again. I’m getting confused as to what is a rhetorical question or a question someone has as to what I believe. Sorry. Thank you.
Auggy,
I’m hoping this post will help clarify my position overall. I don’t want to get into arguments about the law. Especially, because I keep it by faith not by the letter. Not to invalidate the written Torah though or anything you may be trying to resolve with it.
Yehovah is not shallow and forgetful. He does not change with the wind. Everything He sets in place has purpose and even, purpose in layers. Nothing disappears. There may be change to fulfill but, there is nothing that Yehovah speaks that will ever be irrelevant or outdated. In the case of the Yeshua’s death, burial and resurrection, there was a change in the law to fulfill but, it did not take away. We still have a “Priesthood”-High Priest and priests under Him. In fact, the account in Genesis of Melchizedek says that the decedents of Levi paid their tithe because they were even then in the body of Abraham.
Now consider how great this man was(Melchizedek), unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: (Heb 7:4-5)
Thus, we have a “change in the law” via the priesthood.
We also have a change in the law via sacrifices, as Yeshua was the perfect and final sacrifice for sin.
The blood of the first covenant was lacking (sacrifices) but, is now fulfilled in Yehovah’s Salvation.
Thus, we have a “change in the law” via the sacrifices.
I do not see in the Bible where the rest of Torah is changed. His people were always suppose to keep Torah with all their hearts and minds. Yehovah has written Torah on our hearts and minds.
Just asking the question . . . Are we Abraham’s seed? Could circumcision, apart from the law, still be important to the seed of Abraham? Does what Yehovah spoke so long ago still matter? As you can see, even the stranger (gentile) brought into Abraham’s house was circumcised. Interesting.
And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. (Gen 17:9-12)
The “new” covenant is not “new”. There is nothing “new” under the sun. OC and NC are only label of men. This word new is the same word used for “new” moon yet we know when the “new” moon appears it is not a DIFFERENT moon. It is the same moon, renewed. There may be changes to the moon that occurred during its last cycle but, it is indeed the same moon. Similarly, the “new” covenant is not new. It is RENEWED with the sacrifice of Yeshua and His position as High Priest. It is renewed in the hearts and minds of His people. His instructions are the same, our beings and conduct of them, should align with His instructions. Our purpose is still the same, renewed yes. The seed of Abraham followed Yehovah’s instructions, even before they were written on stone or paper. They knew Yehovah would come to save them before a word was written on rock or paper about it. Even the true knowledge we have about Yehovah is not “new”, it has been from the beginning. It’s written in the stars, was prophesied by Adam, is attested to by all created things. Nothing is “new”.
חדשׁ châdash
BDB Definition:
- to be new, renew, repair
1a) (Piel)
1a1) to renew, make anew
1a2) to repair
1b) (Hithpael) to renew oneself
I keep Torah, “Yehovah’s instructions”. There are many arguments that set themselves against Yehovah and His way but, they are reasoned by human arguments, at best. I can not reason against such theologies. They are too powerful in the minds of those who hold them. Also, in my ignorance of the labels and ideas that swirl around in the little boxes of religion, I struggle with grasping what is even being said at times. It is here that much of our communication is foiled. I don’t have the heart or inclination to spend the years it would take to understand religious dogmas so, this may be where we need to part ways. I have been struggling with lightly sharing my relationship with Yehovah and what He has taught me. It is not a religious dogma to be tossed about or taken hold of only long enough to create a quick dogmatic rebuttal. I do not hold certain beliefs. I am what I believe because Yehovah is shaping me. (Not that He isn’t shaping others). I’m not exploring all kinds of ideas that sound good and deciding which sounds the best to believe, I am pressing into Yehovah for answers to my questions constantly. I think more along the lines of the Spirit of Yehovah awaking my understanding and teaching me spiritually. He taught me to obey His commandments, He shaped me that way. Yes, it does run along the written word but, it nevertheless came to me from Him in a different form. That is the best I can explain it, or want to. This is why I say that I accept a literal meaning but, I’m not a “literalist”. I struggle with kicking what is sacred around like a football and I think, perhaps a forum isn’t the right place for me. I wanted to share what Yehovah was doing in me not argue what He was doing. I haven’t done that very well and I am sorry for that.
Maybe I’ll head over to the political threads.
I appreciate your drive to discuss and am thankful for everyone else too. These are my apprehensions. I can appreciate that people aren’t all the same, etc.