Although we have just looked at the Torah in a broad sweeping perspective wherein Torah itself has been defined as G_D’s revelation to mankind or essentially his entire word to us, it would be fair to presume that many readers are still attempting to tactically visualize the Torah … to get a feel for its legal component and hopefully view the commandments in a Hebraic perspective.
Naturally any “discrete” view of the commandments would be limiting since Torah, as revealed, is Spiritual … like G_D … and can’t be bound or contained within our limited human minds. Torah as we know is really about Spiritual revelation and heart-felt application … Torah is about understanding what G_D wants from us, individually and communally, in order to not only serve his purposes and will but also in how it governs the way we interact with him and his creation.
But as difficult as putting the Torah into a workable and human based framework may be, G_D’s chosen people Israel realized that even a limited discrete framework was far more beneficial than simply leaving Torah abstract with each individual defining Torah on their own. The knowledge of G_D needs to be taught!
Deuteronomy 32:44-47: And Moses came and spoke all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea (Joshua) the son of Nun. And when Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel, he said unto them: 'Set your heart unto all the words wherewith I testify against you this day; that ye may charge your children therewith to observe to do all the words of this law. For it is no vain thing for you; because it is your life, and through this thing ye shall prolong your days upon the land, whither ye go over the Jordan to possess it.'
As the children of Israel were instructed to live by these laws handed down by the great and awesome “I AM”, it was obvious to all that these same commandments needed to be put into a framework by which Israel could understand them … could teach them … could weave them into their societal governing framework and of course pass them along from generation to generation! There can be no doubts that what makes Israel different had to be defined in some manner suitable for perpetual Kingdom administration.
Needless to say the discrete basis for any such framework is based upon the actual commandments which the Jewish people could extract from Holy Scriptures while they operated under the presumption that these commandments were to be contained within the first five books … or the Books of Moses!
Obviously at the base of any discussion concerning the commandments sits the great Ten Words written … Deuteronomy 31:12-18 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 'Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying: Verily ye shall keep my Sabbaths, for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that ye may know that I am the LORD who sanctify you. Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore, for it is holy unto you; every one that profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days shall work be done; but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD; whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth and on the seventh day he ceased from work and rested.' And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of speaking with him upon Mount Sinai, the two tables of the testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of G_D. The Ten Commandments, called aseret hadiberot (or sometimes aseret hadevarim, the “ten sayings”)!
1 - I am Adonai (THE LORD) Your G_D.
2 - Thou shall have no other gods before me.
3 - You shall not take the Name of The LORD Your G_D in vain.
4 - Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it separate.
5 - Honor your father and your mother.
6 - You shall not murder.
7 - You shall not commit adultery.
8 - You shall not steal.
9 - You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10 - You shall not covet...
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Torah teachers throughout the ages have systematically structured the extracted mitzvot (commandments) from the Books of Moses in meaningful ways. The effort of these teachers usually results in groupings of mitzvot to help their students and Jewish society at large understand the focus of the whole Torah from a moral, ethical, religious and societal paradigm.
Consequently a variety of codified frameworks developed by knowledgeable mainstream Jews have been fashioned over the course of time … all of which could not possibly be depicted or discussed herein!
These various frameworks formally codified between the 2nd and 6th centuries CE and still being manipulated to this present day, as elegant and valuable as they may be, have been developed and refined by individuals who at least publicly refuse to acknowledge and utilize the teachings of the greatest Torah teacher and arbiter of all time … Messiah Yeshua … the Master Rebbe!
Without attempting in any manner to offend the mainstream Jewish community or diminish their significant contributions, it must be noted that any comprehensive and complete understanding of Torah and the commandments contained therein is impossible without accounting for the teaching, life and ministry of G_D manifest in the flesh … Messiah Yeshua.
For the record let it also be known that any attempt at understanding in great detail the Jewish cultural paradigm, without studying the collective works of the Jewish sages, would be counter-productive! The work of the sages is by no means unimportant or irrelevant in terms of understanding Jewish culture.
So let us look at the overall framework and personal revelation of Torah as taught by Yeshua when he was asked by a scribe in the day, which of the mitzvot of the Torah was the greatest:
Then one of them [that is, one of the Pharisees], which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the Torah?
Yeshua said unto him, thou shall love YHVH thy G_D with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Torah and the prophets. Matthew 22:34-40
The image that Yeshua gave of the Torah would have been understood in the context of a 1st century rabbi as a tree with an initial trunk and two main trunks that split off from that main trunk. One of the trunks might be called the “Love G_D branch” while the other, might be called the “love humanity branch”. Mashiach declared that all of the remaining mitzvot (commandments) of the Torah hung from those two trunks/branches. Thus, we can easily justify placing each of the mitzvot of the Torah under one of those two headings: Loving G_D or loving humanity.
When we further examine this concept, we can relate Mashiach’s teaching to the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments were the first statements of life formally given by G_D to his people at Sinai (and recorded) after their rescue from the bondage of Egypt. Quite easily we can segregate the Ten Commandments into one of these two "tree trunks."
From one of the two main branches, we can place four additional branches. Those four branches relate to the first four commandments. From the other main branch we have six additional branches. Those six branches correspond to the last six commandments (commandments five through ten).
When we survey the mitzvot within the Torah we can place each under one of the Ten Commandments. Thus, we end up with ten groups of mitzvot. All of these various mitzvot hanging under one of the Ten Commandments … just as Mashiach revealed!
Once we find the appropriate location for each of the mitzvot in the structure of the Ten Commandments, we would immediately notice that sub-groups of mitzvot appear. Thus, the mitzvot under the First Commandment fall into neat sub-groups of related topics. For example, the sub-group headings for the First Commandment include: Knowledge of G_D; Love of G_D; Fear of G_D … and so forth.
This same model can be employed for each of the remaining nine Commandments. All of the mitzvot of the Torah can be categorized under one of the Ten Commandments. From there, each of the mitzvot can be placed into a smaller group of related mitzvot. The end result of this categorization process is that the mitzvot of the Torah become integrated and their application becomes more concise within the context of its respective root commandment. And with this teaching coming from Mashiach should we expect anything different? In fact the unique Hebrew language follows a similar root/child methodology and as such Mashiach’s teaching continually upholds the Hebraic bias or model fashioned over time through his own guidance from the very beginning of Israel’s creation!
The following illustration should help the reader readily visualize this Torah framework which Mashiach was revealing to Israel.
Yeshua Teaching the Commandments & Life
It should be noted as well that Mashiach, as you surely must understand was not just any rabbi … but the REBBE … the MASTER TEACHER … as he declared in Matthew 23:8 and is depicted within the TANAKH. As such it should come as no surprise that his metaphor of Torah as a tree is deeply entrenched within Hebrew culture and understanding. Simply stated: Mashiach’s teaching was not esoteric or off the wall but rather a new and deeper revelation premised upon a previously inspired declaration from King David as we see in Psalms:
3:1-18: My son, forget not my teaching; but let thy heart keep my commandments; For length of days, and years of life, and peace, will they add to thee. Let not kindness and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck, write them upon the table of thy heart; so shall thou find grace and good favor in the sight of G_D and man.
Trust in the LORD with all thy heart, and lean not upon thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear the LORD, and depart from evil; it shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase; So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy vats shall overflow with new wine.
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD, neither spurn thou His correction; For whom the LORD loves he corrects, even as a father the son in whom he delights.
Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that obtains understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her, and happy is every one that holds her fast.
From a Hebraic perspective the Torah as a “tree of life” was and remains a very important known and accepted construct. Still further and once again it should not be surprising, the metaphor of “man as a tree” is also a known and accepted Hebraic convention which we see in both the TANAKH as well as the B’rit Chadasha. A convention invoked by Mashiach on numerous occasions.
From the TANAKH … Isaiah 44:1-5 Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant, and Israel, whom I have chosen; thus says the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, who will help thee: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, and thou, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water upon the thirsty land, and streams upon the dry ground; I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring; And they shall spring up among the grass, as willows by the watercourses. One shall say: 'I am the LORD'S'; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel.
From the B’rit Chadasha … Matthew: 7:15-20 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Mashiach’s teachings are naturally at the most basic level Torah centric! As we can see from just this very brief review, Mashiach was building upon his already delivered revelation of the TANAKH to fill up Israel's meaning of Torah and subsequent application. And if you look … really look … you shall see this pattern throughout the entire B’rit Chadasha. The pattern that consistently connects the TANAKH to the B’rit Chadasha through Mashiach Yeshua!
Dear reader … how can it be any other way? Yeshua needed to deliver Torah revelation in such a manner so that he could fulfill the prophecies about himself while validating as well that the all of the previous revelation made via the TANAKH had come from himself and was therefore upheld!
Messiah inspired the Prophets of old and of course their inspired writings. Why then would Messiah confuse Israel by deviating from the script which he had prepared? Of course Messiah did not deviate from the script and consequently the only way that we can really understand him is to learn the script … agreed?
As we can see however in just this simple but critical to understand illustration, Mashiach’s utilization of metaphors, allegories, parables, etc. are most assuredly discerned correctly only under the auspices of Hebraic understanding. Mashiach used these same traditional Hebraic methods not just to deliver revelation in a means which would be understood by Israel … but also to confirm and validate these methods! Please let this sink in … it is important!
We see Mashiach invoking the known Hebraic convention of Torah as “a tree of life”. We see Mashiach invoking a previously revealed metaphor depicting the Spirit filled new man as a “sprung up tree”. Finally we see Mashiach completing the revelation by likening the false prophets to the corrupted tree with bad fruit and the redeemed person as a tree bearing good fruit.
Let us for a moment not focus on “why does Mashiach use this metaphor” but rather “what does Mashiach mean by this depiction?”
Is it uncertain that Mashiach is revealing to us the nature of the Spirit filled person? Can we not see that life in Mashiach enables us to live as the productive tree … bearing the good fruit that reflects the goodness of the commandments … the goodness of G_D’s character? Dare we see this through Jewish eyes for a moment?
When we are able to view Mashiach’s revelation within the known context of the Hebraic culture does it shed light on matters? Do we see things differently than we were viewing them in the past? Do we see things in a way that is foreign to what we've been led to believe? Can we begin to see how G_D’s promises and covenant were to be delivered through Mashiach? Can we see how these abstract concepts are in fact very tactical and practical when viewed within the context of the Hebraic understanding of Torah and the commandments?
And best of all … we've only scratched the surface level of Hebraic understanding … now do you want to see a real eye opening revelation associated with this last illustration? Let us presume the answer is “yes”!
Within a Hebraic mindset and more specifically a Rabbinic understanding there is great importance, meaning and insight provided by a teacher when Scriptures are referenced either directly or through implication. Just the specific words utilized are important relative to where else these same words are utilized in Scripture … but far more so when the words are used to connect consistent and relevant concepts as we shall see!
Mashiach’s teaching about Torah as a tree … and using the known allusion casting man as a “sprung up” Spirit filled tree is not a connection the Hebrew would have missed. But Mashiach went way further in providing Israel insights into G_D’s plan and his own identity.
Let us explore the fullness of Mashiach and his revelation by connecting the perfect threads of G_D's word.
Matthew: 15:10-14 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goes into the mouth defiles a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defiles a man. Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Know thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
John: 12:23-24 And Yeshua answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Amen, amen, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit.
John: 15:1-10 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Isaiah 10:33-11:10 Behold, the LORD, the LORD of hosts, shall lop the boughs with terror; and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the lofty shall be laid low. And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one. And there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a twig shall grow forth out of his roots. And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD; and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither decide after the hearing of his ears; But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the land; and he shall smite the land with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. … And it shall come to pass in that day, that the root of Jesse, that stands for an ensign of the peoples, unto him shall the nations seek; and his resting-place shall be glorious.
Commentary:
Can we see the beauty of G_D’s promises and how all things are united in Mashiach the King?
Mashiach reveals in Matthew: 15:10-14 that renewal of the Spirit filled person is a result of G_D’s Mercy … G_D does the planting!
Mashiach reveals in John: 12:23-24 that he is the seed/source and that only through him will newer stalks/shoots spring up to bear fruit.
Mashiach reveals in John: 15:1-10 that he is not only the seed but also the sustaining vine/root unto which all his branches/offspring must remain attached to. Also note how Mashiach has connected the commandments to this revelation … within the context of the applied metaphor the relationship between Mashiach, The Tree of Life, Goodness and the Commandments is simply resonating the truth across all of creation! From a Hebraic perspective Yeshua is declaring how he is G_D’s character made manifest and how he can manifest in us through Mashiach!
And by the understood Hebraic modes of Scriptural exegesis we see how Mashiach is revealing the prophecies within Isaiah about himself!
Within the same contextual metaphor of the “shoot springing up” we are left with the irrefutable pointers back to Isaiah’s revelation of Mashiach to come … and as previously depicted the spiritual reborn members of Israel that shall spring up!
And pray tell what do we learn?
We learn that through the Spirit OF G_D, Israel's Mashiach will spring forth from Jesse and through the line of David the King. We learn that Mashiach will exercise all righteousness and goodness through wisdom and that Mashiach will in effect be “knowledge of G_D”! And we also know that Mashiach will be submissive to G_D’s will and because of “fear of THE LORD” Mashiach will be obedient to G_D’s Commandments.
Moreover we also see G_D’s promise within the renewed covenant that all nations shall seek him! Praise him forever and a day!
And so you may ask … what does this all mean and how does this connect to Mashiach’s teaching on Torah?
The answer is right before our eyes … if we can see!
Mashiach revealed, through these and other teachings, that Torah is indeed spiritual and he showed us that without him there can be no true and faith based righteous application of Torah. Torah application without G_D’s Spirit within us is pretty much an attempt at humanitarianism.
Of course Mashiach knew that one could learn the commandments … as we all should … as we are commanded … as Mashiach verified and upheld at every chance. But without his Spiritual nourishment there is no way to thrive … no way to grow … no way to remain healthy … no way to creatively and spiritually apply the commandments … no way to operate fully in G_D’s image and likeness … no way to fully integrate Torah into our lives! No way to stumble and not be overcome by the curse of the law's guilty verdict! No way to really know G_D! Mashiach is the only way!
Yeshua delivered exactly what was expected by the Jewish sages from long ago: Mashiach delivered a whole new paradigm regarding an understanding of Torah and how G_D works to not only combat a fallen creation but how G_D works to propagate restoration and the New Creation! But it is not on our own folks … it is only through grace in Mashiach! As Moses revealed … the prophet shall come and those that heed not his word shall that same rebellion result in their end!
When we began this discourse on the commandments it was declared that there was no means of fully encapsulating or containing Torah within the confines of the human mind … and this is what Mashiach revealed to us … BUT … Mashiach also revealed to us that Torah can be encapsulated within us … and understood by us … through him and the power of the Holy Spirit who calls all things unto Mashiach into remembrance!
Dear reader … Mashiach is the tree of life and the root of righteousness and goodness. That Israelite generation of whom certain vipers did spurn Mashiach was not ignorant to the teachings and revelation of Mashiach … they were well learned and savvy in the Hebraic exegetical methods … they just did not like the net result of the Revelation in spite of the fact that Mashiach performed those miracles which were known that only Mashiach could perform.
They simply did not like the fact that Mashiach declared himself to be one with G_D. They did not like the revelation that only through a humble and contrite heart could one truly understand and apply Torah properly. They most assuredly did not like the revelation that only through Yeshua could they find salvation or “reconciliation with G_D! Let's face it … they just did not want to hear anything other than their established preconceived notions of Mashiach and Torah practice that were influenced by Hellenism! In cleaving to Mashiach they would have had to abandon the delusion of “this world” … and in hind-sight they were not prepared to do this!
But let us all praise G_D because he planted new branches for Mashiach within Israel as a remnant … natural branches that became our Jewish forefathers in faith … the apostles and other early Jewish believers. Believers who with the exception of Paul were not elevated Torah Rabbis … who were not puffed up with their knowledge and position of authority … as Paul once had been!
It is the hope that this short expose of Mashiach’s teaching/revelation regarding Torah provided some insights as to how the Hebraic Messianic mindset approaches G_D's word. To this point however we've just hit the tip of the iceberg so to speak. At the same time however it is vital that non-Jews get a genuine sense of what Mashiach’s revelation was all about. And if we are not thinking with the nuances of the Hebrew Language as it relates to Torah, Obedience, Submission, Israel, The Covenant, Righteousness, Goodness and Purpose … then we just are simply not viewing Mashiach in a context that will allow us to understand him … and thus sadly limit our knowledge of and relationship with him!
Obviously there are many that will fight viciously against such a revelation … it is up to you dear reader to see through the delusion!
It seemed paramount that we gain an understanding of what Mashiach revealed to us about Torah before we actually took a look at the actual commandments. It is a hope that we will better understand once we see the commandments why this path was pursu