Another Law Question!

[The Pilgrim]

A warm HI to all!



This is my first post on christianforums! Although I have been spending a lot of time reading your posts, it is only now that I found it profitable for me to make an entrance. The reason for such decision is the fact that the Law Question has indeed brought in mountains of question for me. I have been spending months wresting with this topic in Scripture and in prayers, and it is now my conviction that truly, it is a wrong doctrine to preach the abolishing of these Laws. And ever since such revelation has been made to me, I spent time getting familiar with the 613 mitzvot, but found myself once again at another foot of a huge mountain of more questions. I would like to throw a summary of these questions to you, and I hope you would get at the roots of them:



HOW should these laws to be followed…or better: What is the perspective we should be having when taking the laws individually? And…WHICH of these laws no longer apply to us anymore (as a result of the better Priesthood, the complete Sin Sacrifice by Christ, etc.)? To give you a clearer view of what I mean, let me give examples of what occurs in my mind when taking into focus the following laws:



To put tzitzit on the corners of clothing (Num. 15:38)

…..should I really?...Is it meant as it is written?



To bind tefillin on the head (Deut. 6:8)

…How does this apply to us today?



Not to intermarry with gentiles (Deut. 7:3)

….I am a Gentile. now what??!



To exact the debt of an alien (Deut. 15:3)

…who are aliens today?



That an Ammonite or Moabite shall never marry the daughter of an Israelite

….Literally?



Not to travel on Shabbat outside the limits of one's place of residence (Ex. 16:29)

…What are my boundaries?



Not to do work on Shabbat (Ex. 20:10)

…When can I consider something I do work??



To make a parapet for your roof (Deut. 22:8)

…????



Not to sow different kinds of seed together in one field (Lev. 19:19)

…I shouldn’t practice intercropping??



This is just an example of what I mean…so many laws to which I do not know how to respond to. I understand that Sin Sacrifices are no longer needed after Christ has done the final Sacrifice for sins. But what about the other sacrifices? I often get the response by Jews that their reason for not practicing them anymore is the non-existence of the temple. Is that a valid reason? And what if the temple will be rebuilt as prophesied? How bout us gentiles? What place do we have right now since we are now partakers of GOD’s gift of Salvation? Are we also Israel? Or are we foreigners?



Do you get my point? It is difficult to know what to do without an underlying guiding principle for us gentiles on how the laws should be taken. If, for example, we are Israel, the Laws have a different meaning for us than being considered an alien. “Gentiles” in the law then can be considered as non-Christians…and so on. Of course I do rely on the witness of the Holy Spirit to direct my paths as to this case, but I believe your answers may serve as His tool to give me greater understanding.



I now hope you do have an understanding of what I am experiencing. I even believe that the questions being thrown at you may seem absurd to you as you all are so far ahead of me in these matters. I thank you for advance for any answers.



Every blessing….

Brother in Christ,

The Pilgrim

 

[Bon]

Hi Pilgrim and welcome to the MJ forum.

I am by not means an expert, but I will give you a general overall answer to your query, one which was given me when I asked a similar question here some time ago.

All the Laws of Yahweh apply, but only the ones that relate to us and our lives are the ones we keep.

For example, since you are not an Ammonite or a Moabite (I hazard a guess here ), then the Law commanding these particular people not to marry an Israelite woman do not apply to you.

And I suppose that if you're a farmer then you'd best not sow more that one kind of seed into a field.

Some of the laws were written specifically for the Israelites while they were in the wilderness while some were for the priestly tribe of Levi....
These, therefore, would not apply to you.

Perhaps other people's posts may be more specific.

I myself keep Shabbat, biblical kosher, and am studying to keep the holy days of Yahweh. The other Laws will come eventually with study as I grow in the wisdom and knowledge of Yahweh's will and requirements of me.

Hope this helps....

May Yahweh guide you also towards His will, granting you increasing wisdom and knowledge in the spirit.

Shalom from Bon

 

[visionary]

You are as we are, searching to see if it applies to our lives today, and if so, how much, literal or spiritual application.

The answers that we give are nothing more than our understanding at this time. It in no way applies to you and your particular understanding other than if the Lord speaks to your heart and says it does.

Welcome to the forum and especially to our little corner. May we invite you to the little section where you can give us a Mini Intro, so that we may know, how you have come this far spiritually, and where you are at.

"Speak to the Children of Israel and say to them that they shall make themselves tzitzit on the corners of their garments, throughout their generations and they shall place upon the tzitzit of each corner a thread of blue wool. These shall be your tzitzit, and when you see them, you shall remember all of God’s commandments so as to keep them. You will then not stray after your heart and eyes after which have lead you to immorality. You will thus remember and keep all My commandments, and be holy to your God." Bamidbar (Numbers) 15:38-40

Symbolism
There are two basic symbolic aspects in the making of tzitzit.

The numerical value of the word tzitzit is 600, which, together with the eight strings and five knots on each corner, adds up to 613, the total number of mitzvos in the Torah.

The first three groups of windings 7, 8, 11 add up to 26, which is the numerical value of one of the names of HaShem, while the remaining group, 13, is equal to the numerical value of the word echad- one. The tzitzit thus symbolize the words "HaShem Echad"- HaShem is one.

It is something that you will have to decide regarding the wearing of the tzitzit as your convictions lead you.

 

[By Grace]

Good questions, Pilgrim. I'm not sure you'll get black and white answers, though! It's a path that each of us must do our best to find. Sometimes we don't understand why we're given a certain mitzvah, but we should probably follow it anyway. Other times, it's obvious it doesn't apply to our situation. Too often, it's not at all clear whether a mitzvah applies, and if it does, how you should follow it.

When I first started studying MJ, though, the best advice I received was to take it a little at a time. Start with something that's more obvious, like avoiding non-kosher meats. Then build on that as your understanding increases. It's great to be really excited about it all now, but don't burn yourself out. It may seem easy to just start resting on the Sabbath, and celebrating Passover instead of easter, or whatever. But you may be surprised at how much continuing effort it takes, esp. if those around you aren't doing the same thing.

It's a lifestyle change. And that doesn't come easily. You must continually deny old habits and preferences, and replace them with new behaviors. Stick around here, though, for encouragement when your resolve weakens, and reminders when you forget why you're bothering with it all, and help in understanding what's not so obvious, which for me has been most things.

And I suppose that if you're a farmer then you'd best not sow more that one kind of seed into a field.

Does this mean that if I plant a garden in my backyard, I should only sow one type of seed? I can't plant a few rows of several different things (which would be more reasonable for my small family)?

still growing...

 

[debi b]

Howdy and welcome

I do understand how overwhelming things can be at times. It it ok to have questions that don't have answers (at least not at the moment). Make friends with that. To answer some of your questions you will need a larger foundation of institutional knowledge. Understanding Scripture is a lifelong process.

The good news is you can't get an answer to a question that hasn't been asked, so you are on your way!

 

[Bon]

Does this mean that if I plant a garden in my backyard, I should only sow one type of seed? I can't plant a few rows of several different things (which would be more reasonable for my small family)?

still growing...

Ditto Jill, I'm still growing too

I wouldn't think so. I guess that it is refering to those who grow produce for profit.....

But if you plant different flowers and shrubs.....well that, I believe is different. But as for a vegie patch....on the small plots of land we live on today in and around the cities and towns of our countries, there is nothing we can do but mix our seeds.

And then it may only apply for those living on and working large areas of land.

Perhaps the way in which many of us live should be assesed as I cant imagine living in a big polluted city on a small block of land to be the lifestyle that our Heavenly Father desires for us.

Maybe someone more learned may have the answer.

Shalom from Bon

 

[By Grace]

Thanks, Bon. I tend to agree with you, but I was curious if anyone else saw it that way.

 

[The Pilgrim]

Thanks alot! It is very comforting to know that there are people I can talk to about it. There is not even a single soul i am personally acquainted with who shares the same convictions except my father. The first time I dug into the law question was when I, as a newly born Christian, began reading the bible and got into the pentateuch. To me, it was so obvious that I talked to the pastor of our church about it. I got answers that to me were taken out of context. I believe that there is a purpose why GOD has not revealed that truth to them yet...it is so clear...it can only be that way. I still have loads of questions, especially since I am surrounded with people who try to prove to me that my conviction is in error. Some even say that I am just obsessed over Judaism. Anyways, I am sure you will see me posting questions here more often in the future. I shall make an introduction of myself ASAP.
Again, thanks so much for the answers! They have helped alot. GOD bless you all!

 

[By Grace]

Some even say that I am just obsessed over Judaism.

LOL--I've heard this, too! Actually, one family member referred to my "fascination with the OT" not long after calling MJ a "Christian fad"--obviously, he has no clue what it's all about, but that's okay.

Welcome aboard!

 

[debi b]

When I realized that a Greek mind and a Hebrew mind can and do think differently that helped me enormously

If you try to "argue" a point based on the "logic" that has been put before you (on nearly any given subject - and several come to mind) you will often be drawn to the conclusion that is intended by the one setting forth the perameters of the discussion. At times like those I find it helpful to realize there is a different way to look at things.....

I choose to pick my battles ....

 

[visionary]

When I realized that a Greek mind and a Hebrew mind can and do think differently that helped me enormously

If you try to "argue" a point based on the "logic" that has been put before you (on nearly any given subject - and several come to mind) you will often be drawn to the conclusion that is intended by the one setting forth the perameters of the discussion. At times like those I find it helpful to realize there is a different way to look at things.....

I choose to pick my battles ....

I think that we still are not looking at it from God's perspective. We are at the glimmers of the reality of Yeshua. There is so much more than what this shrinking mind of earthlings have. We only use aproximately 10% of our brain power, 10% of our hearing capabilities, 10% of our visual capabilities, 10% of senses....can you imagine how different we would be if we would have a larger contact with God and used more of our God given talents.