Tag: Sabbath

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Faith Prescribed Holy Days Salvation Torah

Sabbath, No More?

Is Paul telling us that Torah observance is done away with because of Christ’s death and resurrection?

16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Colossians 2:16-17

Dispensational preachers are teaching this view.  John MacArthur is a good example of this type of preacher:

Don’t let anybody hold you to a Sabbath. And that’s referring to the weekly Sabbath, because the other festival Sabbaths are covered under the term “festival and new moon.” Don’t let anybody hold you to the Sabbath. It was part of the system that included the temple, the priesthood, the sacrifices. It’s gone. It was only the shadow, not the substance [ …] Paul is saying, you no longer need the shadow, you have the substance.

John MacArthur, “Understanding the Sabbath.” Grace to You. www.gty.org

Though this is the view of a vast majority of today’s churches, what was Paul’s witness when he wrote this letter?

  • Throughout the New Testament, we see that Paul regularly attended and participated in the synagogue services on the Sabbath 16:13; 17:2 18:4)

14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

Acts 13:14. 44

13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

Acts 16:13

2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

Acts 17:2
  • Luke records that Paul’s “custom” was to worship on the Sabbath (Acts 17:2) – why was it his custom if Sabbath was done away with.

4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

Acts 18:4
  • We see Paul expressing a desire to be in Jerusalem for the Feast of Shavuot (Pentecost)

16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

Acts 20:16

     Shavuot was one of the three pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Pentecost, and Sukkot) that the Hebrews were instructed to attend in the place where “the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name” (Initially, the Tabernacle, then later, Solomon’s Temple).

14 Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. 15 Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) 16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field. 17 Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.

Exodus 23:14-17

5 Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee: 6 But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.

10 And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks [Pentecost – seven weeks after Passover] unto the LORD thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto the LORD thy God, according as the LORD thy God hath blessed thee: 11 And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there.

13 Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine: 14 And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates. 15 Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.

Deuteronomy 16:5-6, 10-11, 13-15

      Why is Paul diligently trying to get to Jerusalem in time for Pentecost, if Christ did away with the Law with his death and resurrection?        

Paul admonishes the Colossians to walk as Christ did and beware of the “traditions of men”, which are not according to Christ:

6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him [see also, 1John 2:6] 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 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.

Colossians 2:6-8

The Pharisees (the sect that Paul had been a prominent member of) and the Sadducees taught the ‘oral law’ (Talmud) which was based on the Torah, but it had many additions and other changes that were not from Yahweh. 

2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32)

Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32

This Talmudic tradition became an evil substitute for salvation through faith and focused on Talmudic works.

18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head [Christ], from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

Colossians 2:18-22
  • That description does not apply to the Sabbath, festivals, and dietary laws. Those things were not human teachings; they were commanded by Yahweh.
  •   But we know that Christ affirmed every iota and dot of the Torah as having enduring authority in the lives of his followers (Matthew 5:18).

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:17-19

“Fulfilled” – pleroo / play-ro’-o [G4137] to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.:–accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.

Strong’s Greek Concordance; James Strong

Christ came to “fully preach” the Law, as opposed to the Talmud, which was separating believers from faith.  Those that teach against the Law, “shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven”.

He also proclaimed, “till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law” – heaven and earth have not passed, so the Law still applies or Christ was wrong (if so, was he wrong about anything, else?)

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Colossians 2:8

Man’s philosophy and traditions are deceitful – those of Yahweh, as practiced by Yeshua are not.

You scoff at our philosophy as though living by it were irrational, but it teaches us self-control, so that we master all pleasures and desires, and it also trains us in courage, so that we endure any suffering willingly.

4Maccabees 5:22-23, RSV

The Colossian Heresy:  The doctrine influencing the Colossian believers could be considered a type of philosophy, but according to Paul it is “empty deceit.” It doesn’t actually deliver what it promises.

  •   Paul says it is ‘of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh’ (Colossians 2:23).
  •   Another problem with this false teaching is that it is “according to human tradition and from Paul’s perspective, mere human teachings are useless in overcoming the power of sin (Colossians 2:22-23).
  •   It appears that the false teachers at Colossae were enamored with cosmic authorities, supernatural powers over nature, and angels (Colossians 2:8, 15, 18, 20).  They exalted and feared these spiritual entities, believing them to have control over the universe and their destinies.  These superstitions were also combined with religious practices, including biblical holy days.
  •   In practice, this false philosophy strictly regulated foods, drinks, and festivals (2:16) and involved ascetic rituals and worship of angels (2:18-23).  By adhering to the practices and regulations of these false teachers, people believed they could attain wisdom and be protected from the evil spirits that troubled them.

At the end of the first century, during the time of Trajan (A.D. 98-117), a Christian leader named Elchasai combined aspects of Jewish nomism (circumcision and law observance) with astrological beliefs; magical practices; and pagan cult traditions. The resultant syncretistic teaching emphasized the hostility of the stars (viewed as angels) and the need to regulate one’s life according to the calendar (especially the Sabbath and the courses of the moon) […] Colossae was certainly not afflicted by the teaching of Elchasai, but “the philosophy” bore many similarities. At the minimum, the example of Elchasai points to emerging forms of localized syncretistic Christianity at an early stage. The Elchasaite teaching also demonstrates how a magical/astrological interpretation of sabbaths could surface in early Christianity.

Clinton E. Arnold, The Colossian Syncretism: The Interface between Christianity and Folk Belief at Colossae (Grand Rapids, Ml: Baker Books, 1996), pp. 217-218

A big problem with this mystical false teaching is that it ultimately resulted in minimizing the Messiah’s exalted position as the head from whom the body derives its life (Colossians 2:18-19).

The preeminence of the Messiah:

  •   Paul teaches that the Messiah is the real embodiment of wisdom and knowledge (Co1ossians 2:2-3).
  •   Messiah is “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). That is, God’s full character is embodied in Messiah (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:4; Philippians 2:6; Hebrews 1:3).
  •   Messiah is “the firstborn of all creation” {Colossians 1:15), which is an Old Testament title expressing royal status and authority (Psalm 89:27).
  •   It was by, through, and for Messiah that “all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities” (Colossians 1:16). Importantly, the invisible creations in heaven would include angelic beings. Paul’s point is that Messiah, the one by whom, through whom, and for whom all things were created, has authority and power over all created things in heaven and on earth.
  •   Messiah is “before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1 :17). That is, Messiah has priority in terms of time and rank, and he is the sustainer of the universe (cf. Hebrews 1:3). Paul hopes to encourage the Colossian believers not to try to find coherence in the universe by turning to angels. Messiah is the one who holds all things together.
  •   Messiah is also “the head of the body, the church” (Colossians 1:18; 2:10, 18-19). That is, he is the lord over the church as well as its source of life: ” … the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God” (Colossians 2:19).
  •   Messiah is “the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent” (Colossians 1 :18). The Messiah’s resurrection has inaugurated the kingdom – his resurrection being the “firstfruits,” assuring us of the full harvest to come at the end of the age (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23). In the meantime, the Messiah exercises his rule through his body, the church.
  •   The Messiah is one in whom “all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” (Colossians 1:19; 2:9).

For Israel the keeping of these holy days was evidence of obedience to God’s law and a sign of her election among the nations. At Colossae, however, the sacred days were to be kept for the sake of the “elemental spirits of the universe,” those astral powers who directed the course of the stars and relegated the order of the calendar. So Paul is not condemning the use of sacred days or seasons as such; it is the wrong motive involved when the observance of these days is bound up with the recognition of the elemental spirits.

Peter T. O’Brien, Word Biblical Commentary: Colossians, Philemon (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1982), p. 139

In conclusion:

  •   A contextual understanding of these verses implies that Paul does not regard things like the Sabbath and festivals as unimportant.  He condemns only an improper observance of these laws in connection with mystical false teachings that downplay Messiah and his work.
  •   Once again, the problem was with human precepts and teachings, not God’s commandments themselves (Colossians 2:8, 22).
  •   But when we observe these parts of the Torah appropriately, with a focus on the Messiah and his work of redemption, there’s no problem.
  • Verse 16 declares the opposite of what is taught, today.  He was telling the Colossians not to let people falsely judge them for keeping the ordinances of the Torah (without the mystical rituals the leaders were adding).

16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Colossians 2:16-17

If Christ did away with Torah, they would not be a “shadow of things to come”, because Christ already came.  They were still to look forward to the things that are to come (after the Millineal Kingdom, when the present heaven and earth pass away).  Recognizing the substance that these “shadows” point to ought to make us value them that much more!

Torah will still be kept in the Millineal Kingdom. Does it make sense that the Law would be kept for 4000 years, done away with for 2000 years, and then reinstituted again for 1000? Especially when Yahweh and Yeshua both affirmed the Law is forever?

Just Do It and find a preacher who is not changing the Law to fit their values. The Law was given to change us!

Categories
Prescribed Holy Days

Keep it Holy

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy

Exodus 20:8

I devoted an entire chapter of my book, Grafted: Embracing Torah, to the Sabbath, but I find that the discussion on keeping the day “holy” to be lacking.  A big part of that is because the Word never tells us how to make it holy.

Holy:

Strong’s [6942] – qadash (kaw-dash), a prim. root; to be (causatively make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally):-appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate. defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy (-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify (-ied one, self), X wholly.

“make, pronounce or observe as”.  The definition makes it abundantly clear that we make something holy or defiled by what we do.

For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. 

Exodus 20:11

Yahweh did what He did to make it hallowed [qadash], but the seventh day is just another day (no matter what Yahweh did) if we do not do something to set it apart as a ‘holy’ day.

To set it apart, we need to do things differently than we normally do and not do thing we do every other day of the week.

1.  Do not work.

This one is easy because Yahweh directs us not to work in Exodus 20:10. 

If a work event comes up on the Sabbath, you decline. If you don’t get all your work done before the Sabbath, you plan for an early morning the next day. When thoughts about work pop into your head, promise yourself you will deal with it tomorrow (if you need to, write a quick note so you won’t forget about it).

By not working on the Sabbath, you are saying, “Yahweh is more important than my job.”

2.  No TV.

The average person in America (ages 18-44) watches three hours of TV a day (https://www.statista.com/statistics/276748/average-daily-tv-viewing-time-per-person-in-selected-countries/).  Since 18-44 year-olds probably spend 8-10 at school or work, well over half of their remaining time awake is spent in front of a TV or other streaming service. Watching television on the Sabbath is not a way of setting the day apart from all the others.

Remember the Sabbath is about being with God. I don’t know about you, but I don’t often experience God’s presence while watching television.  I do, however, have a collection of DVDs that feed into my soul and I enjoy sitting down with my family and watching them.  A short list of those videos that I enjoy:

The Chosen – This video series really surprised me.  Hollywood often butchers Christian themes.  Well-written and an excellent cast.  I’ve not seen Season 2, yet, but I am hopeful.

Luther (2003 – Joseph Fiennes) – well-made and inspiring.  Martin Luther was one of the many men who stood up against the evil practices of the Roman Catholic Church at a time when such conviction was met with inquisition and execution.  Luther was one of the few that did not meet that fate.

Joseph (2005 – Paul Mercurio) – I have watched most of Ted Turner’s Bible Collection stories and have been very disappointed.  Joseph was the exception.  Mercurio captured the man that was nearly killed; saved, but sold into slavery; earn a position of trust from his master, but was falsely accused of a crime and thrown into prison; then finally earning great authority within Egypt and saving the world from a disastrous famine.  Quite the roller-coaster ride for a single man . . . and the actor portraying him.

Illustra Media DVDs about Intelligent Design – there are numerous titles (e.g., Unlocking the Mystery of Life, The Privileged Planet and Darwin’s Dilemma) that deal with the flaws of Darwinian evolution.  If the evidence points to an intelligent designer, we should follow the evidence.  The Discovery Institute also produced Expelled with Ben Stein, which is still very watchable and still very relevant.

Hell and Mr. Fudge (2012 – MacKenzie Astin) – based on the life of the author of the book, the Fire that Consumes.  Dr. Fudge challenged everything he had ever been taught and what his church denomination insisted be taught about hell and eternal damnation because of his research in the Word.

Matthew (1999 – Bruce Marchiano) – This installment of the Visual Bible is a visual portrayal of the Bible using only the words from the Bible.  I don’t like that it uses the NIV version rather than the KJV (personal preference), but it is good in that the narrative never strays away from actual text.  A small caption updates what chapter and verse is being depicted.  Acts (2002) was good, also, but I was not fond of the Gospel of John (2004)

Exodus Revealed (2002) – If 2.5 million people left Egypt and wandered through the Arabian Peninsula for forty years, there should be some evidence, correct?  Actually, there is a lot of evidence and this video shares lots of it – including underwater footage of Egyptian chariots at the bottom of the Red Sea.  Amazing footage.

Other videos can be devotional, educational, and fun to watch also, but, depending on the age of your children, be prepared to discuss how they differ from the Word (artistic license?).  Some I enjoy are Prince of Egypt; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (it’s a bit ‘woke’, but Donny Osmond is fabulous); Kent Hovind’s Creation Seminars (I enjoy the science, but I go on to something else when he starts evangelizing); and any of the Kendrick Brother’s films (my favorite is still Courageous).

3.  Restrict your social media.

Social media is not just a distraction from God, but it is a distraction from actual life.  If you get on to fellowship with others, you run the risk of getting sucked into political discussions, inane internet games, and pointless surveys.  Cutting out these types of distractions will go a long way in keeping your Sabbath day holy. 

I do use social media to post the blogs (like this one!) I prepare from the time I spend reading and studying the Word . . . I just don’t post it until after Sabbath is over because of all the distractions.

4.  Spend extra time reading your Bible and praying.

One of the best ways to build a relationship with Yahweh is through direct communication with Him. Be intentional about seeking more time to talk with and learn from Yahweh.  The Word is direct communication from Yahweh – don’t expect to get revelation from Yahweh about things He has already shared in his Word.

A drill sergeant I once worked with used to yell at the trainees, “I don’t get paid to tell you to do something twice.”  Yahweh is busy, also, and doesn’t need to repeat Himself – you need to read and listen.

You should be reading and praying every day, so take some of the extra time you have on Sabbath and really dig into the Word

5.  Spend time outside enjoying God’s creation.

The whole “six days work – rest one day” is in commemoration of the Creation story.  The Sabbath reminds us that Yahweh created this whole world for our benefit. Many people experience Yahweh more intimately while in nature, so take a walk, play in the park, sit on the porch, or climb a mountain and ask Yahweh to reveal himself to you through His creation.

6.  Invite friends over (or go to friends) for fellowship and worship.

A Sabbath day does not need to be a day of isolation. Get together with your brothers and sisters in Christ and spend time encouraging each other in the Lord.

Remember that “iron sharpeneth iron” (Proverbs 27:17).  You spend all week working with people who are jealous of who you are and seek to denigrate you so they can look better.  Take some time with people who will speak the Word into your life.

7.  Develop rituals to share with your family to give significance to the Sabbath.

I know that I spent a lot of space in my book separating Godly instructions from man’s rituals, but that does not mean that rituals are bad.  My problem was with people claiming that their traditions were the Word of Yahweh.

Yeshua demanded that we not do as the Pharisees:

1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

6 . . .Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

Matthew 15:1-3, 6

6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. (Mark 7:6-9)

Mark 7:6-9

Yahweh uses rituals to help us remember.  The most obvious one is the subject of this blog.

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy . . . .”

Yahweh directs the Hebrews to commemorate Passover, “forever” so that what He did would not be forgotten.

24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. 25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. 26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? 27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD’S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.  (Exodus 12:24-27)

Exodus 12:24-27

How important is this?  We still remember Passover 3500 years after it took place and the story of Creation over 6000 years since it took place.

Meanwhile, because our schools no longer teach History – no one under forty remembers the horrors of communism and fascism and a majority of our youth believe that communism is preferable to capitalism (https://www.educationviews.org/disturbing-number-of-young-americans-favor-communism/).

It only took two generations to forget that millions were murdered under every form of these ideologies (over 120 million in the 20th Century, alone), and we are now on the verge of implementing them again, today.

Develop a ritual(s) to help commemorate what Yahweh did for you in creating heaven and earth, and what He continues to do.  It may be awkward when you start, but the Father will be blessed by what you do, if it comes from the heart.  If it becomes ritualistic and drudgery over time, then change it.

Do not let it become an empty tradition like Easter and Christmas – my book examines how we took Pagan rituals and tried to “Christianize” them.  We happily anticipated these holidays and partook of all the traditions in preparation of the holidays without knowing how the traditions started nor understanding that Yahweh does not accept worship that uses impure or mindless rituals (see my blog, Really, Awful Worship).

24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful [traditional]?

27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: 28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Mark 2:24, 27-28

Yahweh asks us to rest and to keep the day holy.  Do it in a way that blesses you, your family, and your Father.

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it [make, pronounce or observe as] holy . . . .

Categories
Torah

LOST

“I once was lost, but now am found . . . was blind, but now I see”

John Newton – Amazing Grace

       In Luke 14, Yeshua goes to the home of a chief Pharisee to eat on the Sabbath day and he heals a man which had the “dropsy” [edema – an abnormal infiltration and excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or in a serous cavity].

       Yeshua first asks if it is “lawful to heal on the sabbath day”?  None answer him, so he heals the man.  

       Understanding that the people present were uncomfortable about his actions, he further emphasizes his point by asking a simple question, “Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?”

       Once again, all refuse to answer him.  They had all been taught what not to do on the Sabbath, but they seldom considered what they could do

“The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath” (Mark 2:27)

       The same can be said for the entire Torah [Instructions – first five books of the Bible].  It was written for man so he could live in the fallen world he occupied.  The instructions explain how best to worship Yahweh and how best to interact with others.

       But what happens when we decide to not follow His Instructions?  What happens when the church teaches that the instructions are no longer to be followed?

1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2Timothy 4:1-4)

       What happens when the truth of Yahweh’s Words are ‘lost’?

       Luke 14 continues with Yeshua beginning to teach through the asking of questions [the Socratic Method]:

  • Who builds a tower without first making sure he has enough material to complete it?
  • Who goes to war without first making sure they have the men and materials to win?

       Planning is important.  Knowing what you want to achieve and knowing how to achieve it is important.

       Yeshua is not interested in building towers or in fighting wars (yet), but as we see in Luke 15, he is interested in saving souls.  But only those that desire to be saved.

In Luke 15:4-7, Yeshua tells of a shepherd who loses one sheep and leaves the 99 he has to find the one that is lost.  Not only does he seek the one lost sheep, he celebrates when the sheep is found.

       How many of us are satisfied with a 99% success rate? Yeshua seeks 100% of his sheep.

25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (John 10:25-27)

       Yeshua was the Word made flesh (John 1:14) and he always spoke and did his Father’s Will (John 14:31; 6:38)

14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:14-16)

       Luke 15:11-32 is the parable of the prodigal son (or the parable of the forgiving father – the son has nothing if the father isn’t a forgiver).

       There are lots of teachings about the son who claims and then squanders his inheritance.  Only when he is destitute and fears dying does he return to his father.

       He hopes his father will forgive him and take him on as a lowly servant, but his father embraces him and returns him to his rightful position as a member of the family.  His father holds a celebration for the ‘lost’ son has returned to him.

       I’d like to emphasize Luke 15:8-10:

8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?  9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

       In the Eastern culture the ten pieces of silver was a gift from her husband.  It was not expensive, but, it carried a very deep sentimental value. It was not the only gift given to her by her husband, but it was certainly the most precious.

       Some say that each piece was about the size of a quarter.  In most cases, each coin would have the coat of arms of the husband’s family on one side.  Usually the year the coin was made was on the other side.

       On very special occasions the woman would hang these in her hair.  Because it had such sentimental value, the woman was very careful when wearing the ten pieces of silver.  The consequences of losing one were very harsh.

       None of the ten pieces could be replaced.  If the wife were to lose one, her husband would banish her from the house until she found it.  They believed that if you lost even one piece of the ten, then you would have lost God’s blessings as well.

(https://confidenceandjoy.com/ten-pieces-of-silver/)

       So what was Yeshua telling the people about losing one silver coin?  One of Ten?

       The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (Psalm 12:6)

       12 And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. 13 And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone. (Deuteronomy 4:12-13)

       She ‘lost’ one coin and diligently searched for it – celebrating when it was found.  Yeshua equates this with a sinner that stops doing one (or more) of the Commandments (Deuteronomy 5:6-21; Exodus 20:2-17) but then returns to Yahweh’s Instruction and repents. “. . . there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

       Have we lost a coin . . . or two, or three?

       Most of us have broken several of the Commandments in our life and repented, determining to never break them again (and often failing . . . again).

       Have you ever stolen (Exodus 20:15)?  Did you feel bad about it? Do you wish you had never done it?  Did you repent of your sin?  If you did, it is because you heard the voice of the Word made flesh.  You listen to the shepherd.

       If you are okay with stealing, then you are not of the flock.

       What about the fourth Commandment?

8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. (Exodus 20:8-11)

       Have you ever worked on the Sabbath (we often have no choice – we are in bondage to the world)?  Shopped on the Sabbath (we have a choice about making others work on the Sabbath)?  Did you feel bad about it? Do you wish you had never done it?  Did you repent of your sin?  

       Why do we believe Sunday is the ‘new’ Sabbath (‘the Lord’s day’)?  Did Yahweh make a change to His Law or is it a product of what the church teaches?

       Has the time come that we refuse to endure sound doctrine?  Have we sought after teachers with “itching ears” who preach the truth we want to hear, turning the Word of Yahweh into fables? (2Timothy 4:1-4)

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. (Psalm 19:7-8)

Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. (Psalm 119:142)

       When did we decide to ‘improve’ on what is “perfect”, “sure”, “right”, and “pure”?  How did we develop a ‘better’ “truth”?

       Yahweh, Himself, wrote the Commandments onto stone tablets and gave them to Moses to place in the Ark of the Covenant.

       Are we listening to the shepherd when we unrepentantly break the Sabbath on a weekly basis.  Even if the Sabbath was changed to Sunday (which it hasn’t), do Christians “keep it holy”?

       Is the Sabbath a silver coin you have ‘lost’?  Are you looking to ‘find it’?  Will you rejoice when you decide to do the whole Word of Yahweh?  The angels in heaven will.

       My book (Grafted: Embracing Torah) is a good guide for someone wanting to know what keeping Yahweh’s Instructions entails.  There is an entire chapter devoted to the Fourth Commandment – keeping the Sabbath holy.  It is not a substitute for you going to the Word and making it your own, but it is not a bad start, either.