Matt 5:1-16 The Blessings from Works
These verses reference blessings straight out of the TANAKH and Torah. Sometimes called, the Beatitudes, in Christian circles, this famous sermon exudes nothing but Torah.
"Blessed are ..."
"Blessed are ...
"Blessed are ..."
It is interesting that Yeshua's first sermon to the masses stresses Torah. The TANAKH says plainly that we have a choice:
Deu 11:26 "See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse:
Deu 11:27 the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today,
Deu 11:28 and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known.
Please remember, one has to believe that Yeshua did away with these blessings and curses in order to deny Torah. And, what does Matt. 5:16 say?
Matt 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
What "works" are these? They are the works of Torah!
Christ Came to Fulfill the Law
Matt 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Matt 5:18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
Mat 5:19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 5:20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
One of the most misconstrued words in the ENGLISH Bible is the word, "fulfill". Yeshua has just made a declarative statement that Torah HAS NOT been done away with as it relates to His teachings, yet the Church claims it has! The word "fulfill" in GREEK is "pleroo", pronounced, "play-ro-oo". It means to completely fill something up to it's ultimate level, for example, to fill to overflowing a half-filled glass of water on a table. To fulfill the Torah is to fully and completely teach and magnify Torah. The Pharisees had hidden Torah behind their man-made doctrine and people were following man and not God. Yeshua's desire was to place Torah above man's teachings.
Remember the Deut. 13 Test from the last blog entry? If Yeshua came to abolish Torah - He is NOT and CANNOT be the Messiah!
How can your "righteousness exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees"? The answer is simple; by following Torah! Most Christians think the Scribes and Pharisees are following Torah when they follow Rabbinic tradition but that is very far from the truth. Pharisee Judaism today and at the time of Yeshua follow Rabbinic edict; rules that add to and take away from Torah. Yeshua's teaching wholly proclaims Torah above Pharisee tradition and edict!
Deu 4:2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you.
And what about entering, "the Kingdom of Heaven"? Where is this "Kingdom" - in Heaven? No, the Kingdom of Heaven is in reference to the earthly Kingdom Yeshua will reign over during the millennium. And He will be called, Yehovah, LORD of Hosts.
At this point, my Christian friends will stop me and say: "Nobody can possibly do Torah - it's impossibe!", thereby ignoring the context of the subject matter, so let's review some things.
We are now under a Melchizedek Priesthood and following Torah as best we can. The Aaronic Priesthood has been suspended only but will be fully ensconced again during the millennial reign. Much of what's instructed in Torah simply doesn't apply to you and I. Some of the instructions apply only to the Aaronic Priests, some apply to animal sacrifice, some apply to just women, some apply to just men, some to children, etc. And no, it is not too hard for us!
Deu 30:11 "For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off.
Deu 30:12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, 'Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?'
Deu 30:13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, 'Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?'
Deu 30:14 But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.
My Christian friends have also asked; "Why follow Torah, you have your Salvation!" As we go through the study this point of argument will become clearer and clearer. We follow Torah for four good reasons:
1. To show our love for God.
2. To show we are obedient to God.
3. To receive the blessings from God.
4. To be that light that shines for others.
Your acceptance of the wonderful free gift of Salvation is just the beginning of the race!
The Observer
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