When did the commandments change?
We know that in the past the commandments were there and valid. I do not think that many people will dispute this fact. But many believe that sometime after Yeshua’s death and resurrection they changed. It was no longer about the Will of God but, doing whatever we want as long as we believe, love Him, and others. But is this really the case? If it is, wouldn’t it stand to reason that if the commandments were changed, fulfilled, or done away with, that this is how it will be from now on? Will Yeshua have the same commandments during his reign when he returns? Lets look to scripture and see.
Isa 2:2 It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it,
Isa 2:3 and many peoples shall come, and say: Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths. For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Isa 2:4 He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
Here in this very prophecy of our Lords return, and his reign. (Isa 2:3 and many peoples shall come, and say: Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths. For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.) So what is this Law being spoken of here. Some simply think it will be the command of the King. And while they are right they should know that these will not be new commands. They are the same that we have had from the beginning. The Law here is an English translation of the Hebrew word “Torah.” Don’t take my word for it, check for yourselves. So why would our Messiah do away with the Law if it is prophesied that he will teach us His ways, so we can walk in His paths “the Torah,” and after His second coming and during His Millennial reign. Also, it may be good to point out here that the Law going forth will not just be his voice or speaking, as I have heard and taught it myself in the past. For the Scripture also states, that along with the Law, the Word will also go forth.
We know that the Law as many call it, was valid in the Past, we know that the Law will be valid in the future, so why do we think that it isn’t valid now? How many of us have really pondered this question? I know I never did. I was happy in my knowledge that the Law (Will of God, Torah, Pentateuch) was not meant for me, and was either fulfilled or done away with. And I never wanted to see the truth of the matter. I never sought the truth as it pertained to the Law. Quite simply because I didn’t want the true Will of God in my life. I liked the idea that I wasn’t really held accountable for my sins. I liked not having to worship God in His way. I liked the illusion that I had control over my life, I was terribly wrong. And to any out there that I taught these ideas too in the past that read this article, all I can do is apologize for my mistakes. I have been asked: “Why would you want to follow the Law when we can simply live under grace?” And the answer is simple, because that is what my God asks of me. It isn’t about me or what I want! And, I also point out that they should take a better look at how grace is defined in Scripture. We have to be willing to put aside our own pride, and stop pondering these questions on our own. The fact of the matter is we have instruction to lead us in Gods way, and we have the Holy Spirit to guide us through these very Scriptures.
So many would try and do away with the Will of God in their lives. They would rather listen to flawed men than seek Divine Truth. I have been given so many excuses in my life, as to why we do not need the Will of God. It is scary just how easy it is to justify in our hearts, not following the Will of God. And to say that we no longer need the Law is doing this very thing. It is through the Law (Torah) that we know God. It is through the Law (Torah) that we know sin. And without it we cannot know either. We are ships crashing in a storm being tossed from one side to the other. We must seek shelter in the storm, and the only real shelter to be found is in the Word of God.
Now lets look at the past. Because it is the belief held by many that the Will of God changed from the beginning, to mount Sinai. So why couldn’t his will change again? But did the Will of God ever change? Did even Abraham already have the Law and the Commandments, or was the Law a new invention at mount Sinai? Once again to find our answer before we start speculating on our own, lets look to Scripture.
Gen 26:4 I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed,
Gen 26:5 because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws."
Here we see that according to our Scripture Abraham did in fact have the Will of God. (Gen 26:5 because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." ). Were they in the complete form as given on Mount Sinai? That we do not know, but we know that His Will didn’t change. We know that there were charges, commandments, statues, and Laws given to him. So we know the Law (Torah, God’s Will) predates mount Sinai. We also know that not even sacrifice was only given to us by God on Mount Sinai. (Gen 4:3 In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground,
Gen 4:4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering,)
Now begs the question who taught Cain and able to sacrifice to God? Who taught Abraham what was right in the sight of God? Who taught the Israelites how to worship God? Who taught the world Love through our Messiah Yeshua? In all cases it is God, the Father, the creator of all creation, the God of Abraham, Jacob, and Isaac, The God of Israel. It may also be helpful to remember, to put all things in their proper perspective. The Law was given at the same time as the history of the world was given. God gave Moses the History that is the Torah (first five books, Pentateuch), and along with this History he gave us his Will, through His Law. Why do we intend to change our Gods Will, when He is the one who gives it to us? That is the way it was in the beginning, now, and in the future. We must let our own natures be silenced and follow God, His way, not our own. This has been said before and it will be said again. GOD does not change, not his mind, not His Will, not His Plans. They have been the same from the beginning and they will continue for ever. We must stop trying to change our God and accept that we are the ones in need of change. God does not change to fit us. We change to follow Him.
Now comes the idea that all traditions are good and we must simply follow them. So we need to ask ourselves. Can we be corrupted or spoiled by mans philosophy, tradition, and principles of the world?
Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
We must beware of any deceit or tradition that teaches us to walk in any way that is contrary to how our Master walked. Some would even accuse me of bringing some new deceitful philosophy with these articles. And in response to these accusations, all I ask is that you put these ideas to the test of Scripture. Not one passage taken out of context, not one book, but the whole of Scripture. Look to how our Messiah walked. Did our Messiah do away with any of God’s Will (Torah)? Of course not. When presented with a challenge, or problem, where did our Messiah get his answers? They came from the Torah, don’t take my word for it look for yourself. Really look at how our Messiah walked, do a study of true discipleship. Step away from vain teachings of deceit, and false traditions of man to justify sin. And look to God for your answers. Go to Scripture in prayer! Put all things to the test of Scripture. Not just these writings, but all writings of men. I do not claim to have a patent on truth. As a matter of fact I am just as wrong on many things as anyone else. Never take, any mans word for anything, without putting it to the test in Scripture, and through prayer. We must guard our hearts. There are false traditions of men in this world. Just because one comes claiming to be a man of God be weary for he may be a wolf in sheep clothing. If anyone brings a gospel that is not congruent with scripture, turn and flee from it. When a man tells you that we are to be rich with worldly possession because that is what is needed to be happy flee from it. If one brings a gospel that teaches you to walk in any way outside of the example set for us by our Messiah flee from it. Take the time to read and see how our Messiah truly walked on this earth, and when we go forth in study of Scripture we must keep this in mind for a true prospective, and context. The idea that our Messiah only walked in Gods Law (Torah, God's Will) before his crucifiction, simple does not hold water when put under the scrutiny of Scripture. The Law wasnt done away with after the resurrection. In Acts 1:1-4, Yeshua taught His Apostles about the Kingdom of God and not one place in Acts do the Apostles, including Paul, say the Law is done away with. Just as we have no right to change our God or His Will, we have no right to change our Messiah.
In conclusion The Law (Torah) has been with us since we were created. God instructs His people in His ways. It was this way for Adam, Abraham, Moses, and us today. It hasn’t changed. There is no indication in Scripture to point that this has not ever been the case. The Law (Torah, Will of God) does not change. We are the ones that change. We are to become closer in relationship with our God. That is the purpose of the Law (Torah, Will of God) in our lives. So we can learn His teachings, His way. So we can walk in a covenant relationship once again. So we can come in the presence of our God without being destroyed. It shows us sin so we can remove it from our lives to be closer to Him. We know through Scripture that the Will was there in the beginning. And our Father taught us his Will throughout time. We also know that the Will of God will be just as valid in the future as it was on Mount Sinai. So why in our arrogance do we seek to change the Will of God and say it isn’t valid now?
The council in Jerusalem acknowledged the foundation of the Law (Torah) when James stated that Moses was preached and read in the synagogues on every Sabbath (Act 15:19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, Act 15:20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. Act 15:21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues." ) It is stated here that the new converts first had to be taught to refrain from the things that will break a covenant relationship with God. And immediately continues by stating that the Law of Moses (Torah, Law, Will of God) is taught every Sabbath in the synagogues. James believed that gentile followers of the Master would naturally become imitators of Messiah as they heard and observed the Torah (Law, Will of God) week after week. It was a process of growth. It wasn’t meant to happen over night. And now 2,000 years later it is the mission of many including this ministry to recover the truth found in the Torah (Law, Will of God) to become imitators of Yeshua our Messiah as well. To get back to the roots of our faith, and become true disciples of Yeshua our Messiah.
As always I hope, this article has helped us all in some way to gain a closer walk with our Messiah. I pray that as we go forth to put these ideas to the test, in Scripture, that we are given eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the Glory of Yeshua our Messiah.
