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Torah

Why Torah is relevant for messianic believers in Yeshua

A Commentary by Don Demrow

Often referred to as "the Law," if you understand the Hebrew meaning of "Torah," it is better interpreted as "teaching." Translating "Torah," as "law" is simply another of the many mistranslations in our modern language Bibles. Most modern languages are sorely lacking in their ability to adequately express certain ideas. Let me emphasize this point - this is not a shortcoming of the Bible, but rather a shortcoming of LANGUAGE.

Torah can only be correctly described as "law" in much the same sense that the following statement would also be referred to as "law:" Don't put your hand in fire, or you will be injured.

I have included some scriptures here that are very often mistranslated by (I am sure well-intentioned) misguided pastors, in an effort to refute God's Torah. An in-depth study of these scriptures will reveal an undeniable truth about God's Torah - it is STILL a valid covenant for His people. I guess that's why God said it was to be an eternal covenant. ;)

I will not debate this subject with anyone - don't even waste your time emailing, or calling about it - rather, get a good interlinear Hebrew/English Tanach, and a good interlinear Greek/English New Testament, and study it FOR YOURSELF. If you open your eyes, and study prayerfully, you will realize, just as I did, and many others have, just what it is God is trying to say to us.

In a nutshell, He wants us to stop living like pagans, and worship Him, the way HE said, not the way we want to, or the way some pastor, priest, or rabbi told us.

Yeshua's coming back, folks, and soon - better face that fact. When He comes this time, though, it won't be as the sacrificial lamb, submitting Himself to us, but rather as the Lion of Judah. He's coming to exact His judgement on a world that has been selfishly pursuing its own interests too long. He is a jealous God, and will not tolerate this, so we'd better stop worshiping ourselves, our cars, boats, motorcycles, television sets... you get the idea.

Yeshua is coming back for His people, a holy (set apart, separated) people that love and worship Him.

If you're a gentile, you may not be "obligated" to keep Torah. But, as for me, and my family, we have chosen whom we shall serve - The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - YHVH, whom we know also as Yeshua. And serving Him means keeping Torah. We want to be joined to Israel, much as Ruth was - and live our lives in a way that is pleasing to Him. YHVH, Yeshua, the God of Israel, will be my God, and the God of my family, and we will love him with all of our hearts, and with all of our souls, and with all of our minds, and with all of our strength.

Note that in the scriptures below, it is important to distinguish the differing uses of the English word "law", since more than one word was translated into "law." There is a difference between "law" as used in Romans 7:4, which means "sin" contrasted with "law" meaning "Torah" in James 4:11. In James 4:11, it should have read "instruction" or "teaching" in the English version, to be clearly understood.

God intended that we would study His word, not just casually skim it in the latest trendy version available. Those who dig the deepest find the richest treasure.

Shalom in Yeshua!
Don Demrow, Webmaster

Scriptures Referencing Torah "Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Proverbs 29:18, JPS Tanach

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 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." Matthew 5:17 - 18

"...this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets..." Acts 24:14

"Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?" Romans 7:1

"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." Romans 7:4 (Dead to sin, dead in the flesh through Yeshua)

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:2

"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Romans 8:7

"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." Romans 10:4

"For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them." Romans 10:5

"Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law." Galatians 3:21

"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:" Hebrews 8:10

"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;" Hebrews 10:16

"Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge." James 4:11

"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4

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